Back from Pasadena

Reposted with permission from the blog of Aja Wells (Class of 2012)

It's been a few weeks since we have returned from the University of Hartford's Low Residency MFA Pasadena trip. I can't believe that the class of 2012 only has one more contact period before our final summer session and graduation!

As usual, our program director Murray Tinkelman lined up amazing illustrators and fine artists to speak to us about their careers as well as the illustration industry. Speakers ranged from children's illustrators to concept artists and even a court illustrator to expand our idea of all the different avenues illustrators can choose.

Speakers included illustrators and artists, Joan Charles, Gary Meyer, Keith Batcheller, Kenton Nelson, Paul Rogers, Scott Anderson (2007 alumni), Rob Ruppel, Dan Quarnstrom, Joe Cepeda, Bill Robles, and Lon Levin. We also had a great presentation by Crystal Falcioni of Magnet Reps, who helped us understand an agency/artist relationship, and we visited Jeff Hardy's Floor 84 Studio in North Hollywood, where we got to see a gaming studio in action. Below are some highlights from the trip!

Courtroom illustrator Bill Robles (above) shows illustrations from famous court cases including the Manson trial, OJ Simpson trial, and others.

Joe Cepeda (above) discusses compositions in his children's book illustrations, and the controversy of his illustrated book Nappy Hair.

Rob Ruppel (above) discusses creating concept work for gaming and motion picture entertainment.

Class of 2007 Alumni Scott Anderson shares recent work along with discussing his life and career post MFA.

We were invited to the famous and beautiful Castle Green to attend lectures given by Kenton Nelson and Paul Rogers.

After visiting Castle Green, we were invited to Kenton Nelson's beautiful studio to view more of his art and workspace.

Thesis advisors Doug Anderson and Bill Thompson (above) lead our illustration in context critique. Our assignment was to choose a subject, illustrator, and magazine from a certain era emulate their style for a cover piece.

Of course, this whole contact period took place in Pasadena which meant there were many other exciting things to see and do outside of class! Some of us spent an extra day going to Disneyland! Pictured (above) is class of 2012 Inga Polsitur, Magge Gagliardi, Jim Burke, Ryan O'Rourke, and me, Aja Wells.

Other students went to the La Brea Tar Pits. Pictured (above) class of 2013 Brad Albright. Many others spent their time at the Getty Museum, the famous Hollywood hills, and various other galleries and museums.

The weekend following our contact period, many students also went to the CTN Animation Expo. The CTN Animation Expo was a wonderful event showcasing some of the most talented animators and illustrators working today, including Bobby Chiu, Stephen Silver, David Colman, Peter de Seve, and James Gurney. Class of 2013 student Lee White was also a featured exhibitor.

Super-team Bobby Chui and Kei Acedera of Imaginism Studios were incredibly friendly people.

At the expo we also got to check out the new 27-inch Wacom Cintiq tablets. Definitely made me ache and wish I could turn in my 12 inch tablet for that thing of beauty.

Overall, it was another wonderful trip! Looking forward to this March, for Class of 2012's last travel period to Fort Worth, Texas!

Reposted with permission from the blog of Aja Wells (Class of 2012)