Hartford MFA San Fransisco Trip!

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

The San Fransisco trip started off with a bang! Bright and early on March 14th, we met at the Handerly Hotel in Union Square to load buses so we could head to Alice A. "Bunny" Carter's private residence. Carter comes from a long line of accomplished illustrators, and over the years her family has accumulated a massive private illustration collection. She was generous enough to invite us into her home so that we could view the pieces. 

When we arrived, Alice Carter, her mother/illustrator Jane Eisenstat, and her husband/illustrator Courtney Granner welcomed us with open arms. On display were a huge collection of illustrations, ranging from Norman Rockwell to Ralph Steadman.

Students examine private collection.

After we viewed the work, Jane Eisenstat gave us a brief lecture about how her collection came to be, (mostly luck- unfortunately original illustrations were often not very highly valued, so many were picked up at thrift stores) along with stressing the importance of being sincere about your quest to become an illustrator.

Afterwards, we piled back into the bus and headed out to LucasFilms at the Presidio, where we attended a panel discussion, lead by an ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) art director, about what it's like to work for LucasFilms, and how to properly prepare for a job with the company. If you're interested in learning more about working for LucasFilms, check out these two websites: http://www.lasjedi.com/index.html, and https://jobs.lucasfilm.com.

Through the rest of the week, we had a series of lecturers visit us, including:

Craig Frazier - Freelance Illustrator
"Look for work that feels most challenging, and for jobs that allow you to participate in thinking."

Chuck Pyle - Illustration Chair at Academy of Art 
"Know the fundamentals first."

Lou Brooks - Freelance Illustrator

 Robert Hunt - Freelance Illustrator
"The more sincere you are, the better you will be."

Bill Russell - Freelance Illustrator
"When you make a decision just for the money, it's probably not worth it in the long run."

Vivienne Flesher - Freelance Illustrator
"Expand as much as you can."

 Dennis Ziemienski - Freelance Illustrator

Cheryl Phelps - Licensing Coach/Freelance Illustrator
"Copyright EVERYTHING you make!"

Noah Klocek - Pixar Art Director/ Freelance Illustrator
"Learning requires stewing." and "Learn to balance your personal and professional work".

Courtney Granner - Professor of Illustration at SJSU/Freelance Illustrator

In addition to our lectures, much time was also spent on thesis advising and critiquing our reaction pieces to the New York City period.

All free time was spent visiting the various SF sights- students headed to Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower, the Legion of Honor, Chinatown- all over the city searching for inspiration for the next piece.

Friends at Pier 39

While the lecturers, critique sessions, and ILM visit were spectacular, my favorite part of these sessions are being around such a high caliber of fellow illustrators. We come from all over the United States, and have very different backgrounds and ages, but we all have this deep common thread that makes the experience simply precious. I'm already counting down the days to the next session, coming in July!

*If you are interested in earning your MFA through Hartford Art School's Low Residency program, please contact Carol and Murray Tinkelman via the program's website: http://www.hartfordillustration.com. Please note this is a professional level program, and all students should have a minimum of two years professional experience before applying.