Hello!
I’ve just returned from my second summer at the University of Hartford’s MFA in Illustration program. It’s so busy, so fun, so intense, I often feel like I’m on another planet for two weeks. But I’ve returned to real life (with a cold, boo), and wanted to capture a bit of this experience.
Firstly, look at my homework, lol.
Our illustration homework is often a “reaction piece.” The MFA host location changes throughout the program, with Atlanta hosting us this past spring. We’re told to “react” to our experiences and create a piece inspired by the city. In my case, seeing the shimmering shoals of fish at the Georgia Aquarium got me thinking about The Little Mermaid (with the benefit of age and wisdom, I’ve figured out that anything is an open assignment if you frame it right).
Coincidentally, I was just interviewed over at Kathy Temean’s Writing and Illustrating blog, where I went into the process behind this piece.
I wanted to explore the themes around The Little Mermaid, but closer to the original Hans Christian Andersen version than the modern versions. The Andersen version is a bittersweet tale of unrequited love and longing, and I wanted to capture the feeling of giving up just a little bit too much of yourself.
I really enjoyed working on this piece. And it’s already been added to my INPRNT shop if you’re interested in a print.
But back to the MFA!
Leaving our families and the real world for two weeks is tough, but luckily the MFA crew becomes a second family. Not a moment feels wasted. We’re in class from 7 am to 6pm (💀) and even the weekends are full of critiques, museum visits, and time spent talking shop with fellow illustrators. It’s exhausting, thrilling, inspiring, and at times overwhelming.
The talent in this picture alone! Lisa Cyr is giving us a demo while, amongst others, Edward Kinsella, Dale Stephanos, Abigail Platter, and Annie Cauffman look on. Other faculty in this shot include my 💖 thesis advisor 💖 Carol Schwartz, Courtney Granner, Bill Thompson, and Jackie Decker.
Every year includes a visit to the Norman Rockwell Museum. This year’s exhibition was a retrospective on Mad Magazine, it was great fun. Especially since fellow classmate Dale Stephanos had two paintings in the show.
Curator Stephanie Plunkett always lets us into the Norman Rockwell archive to look at special behind-the-scenes artwork (in this case Jerry Pinkney, a rare Rockwell etching, Laura Mills, and Rose Cecil O’Neill)
I have lots more to share, but that’ll be in part 2 of this post. For now I’ll leave you with “intensely focused Erin picture of the day” by aforementioned classmate Dale Stephanos:
Mean muggin for days. I swear I’m not this intense in real life.
Til next time, thanks!
Erin
Sounds fascinating!