Monday, September 28, 2009
National Portfolio Day
Went to Portfolio Day yesterday. It was...different.
I expected it to be crowded so that was no surprise. It was kind of organized in some areas and not so organized in others. Some lines had chairs, others didn't.
I received the best review from Academy of Art. I say best because Frances was the friendliest person I spoke with, gave me plenty of advice on how to improve the art and was actually interested in getting me, personally, to come to her school, instead of just ushering me in, checking out my stuff for two minutes and ushering me out. She was very enthusiastic about the school and I found out I could apply for the MFA animation program or the BFA2 program. Either way, I would only be in school for 2 and half years instead of 4 because 66 CREDITS would transfer from UT. WooHoo!
Worse review was from California College of the Arts. The woman didn't introduce herself, didn't ask for my name, spent less than a minute looking at my portfolio, didn't offer any advice and suggested I include photography. Eh? Why would I include photography in an ANIMATION portfolio? Not only that, but a bratty high school girl came in asking if I had waited in line because she had like, been waiting for an hour. Good grief. I couldn't believe she asked me that. If I had tried to get into that room without waiting I would have been jumped by about 8 angry high school moms. Get a grip, child.
And the weirdest review came from CalArts, believe it or not. The recruiter said her favorite portfolio piece she ever saw was from a girl who made a self portrait out of bread. Say what now? I'm not making pictures out of lunch material. That's just strange. She did like my zoo drawings. But she only spent 5 minutes with me and kept looking at the clock because she only had 5 minutes to review 4 other portfolios. I expected more out of CalArts - she gave everyone else about 20 minutes at least. I would say that I wish I had gone to her table first, except AAU was so awesome that I am glad that was my first review. I am definitely applying there. I will apply to CalArts too because...I feel like I should. You know it has a great reputation but I have yet to speak to anyone in the recruitment office or in administration who sounded knowledgeable. I'm beginning to think that their reputation is what keeps them afloat, rather than the work that comes out of the school. All of the animators I admire graduated from there more than ten years ago. I am less impressed with them as a result of my experiences with the administration and the application process.
I am going to call CCA and talk to someone more knowledgeable. I don't want to toss out the school because of one clueless person.
Sadly Sheridan and VFS were not in attendance. I would have liked to have met reps from the schools in person.
I saw a lot of high school kids in weird arty clothing, a few were dressed professionally (very few), some had portfolios, some didn't bring sketchbooks at all, which I found odd, and one girl walked out of her review and burst into tears. Yikes. If you're busting a gut now the real world might kill you. She sounded like she had faith in herself after talking to her Dad. Hopefully now she's recovered.
As for my art, the reviews were positive. Mainly keep doing what I've been doing, work on perspective and try drawing things in color to mix it up a bit.
I can do that.
I expected it to be crowded so that was no surprise. It was kind of organized in some areas and not so organized in others. Some lines had chairs, others didn't.
I received the best review from Academy of Art. I say best because Frances was the friendliest person I spoke with, gave me plenty of advice on how to improve the art and was actually interested in getting me, personally, to come to her school, instead of just ushering me in, checking out my stuff for two minutes and ushering me out. She was very enthusiastic about the school and I found out I could apply for the MFA animation program or the BFA2 program. Either way, I would only be in school for 2 and half years instead of 4 because 66 CREDITS would transfer from UT. WooHoo!
Worse review was from California College of the Arts. The woman didn't introduce herself, didn't ask for my name, spent less than a minute looking at my portfolio, didn't offer any advice and suggested I include photography. Eh? Why would I include photography in an ANIMATION portfolio? Not only that, but a bratty high school girl came in asking if I had waited in line because she had like, been waiting for an hour. Good grief. I couldn't believe she asked me that. If I had tried to get into that room without waiting I would have been jumped by about 8 angry high school moms. Get a grip, child.
And the weirdest review came from CalArts, believe it or not. The recruiter said her favorite portfolio piece she ever saw was from a girl who made a self portrait out of bread. Say what now? I'm not making pictures out of lunch material. That's just strange. She did like my zoo drawings. But she only spent 5 minutes with me and kept looking at the clock because she only had 5 minutes to review 4 other portfolios. I expected more out of CalArts - she gave everyone else about 20 minutes at least. I would say that I wish I had gone to her table first, except AAU was so awesome that I am glad that was my first review. I am definitely applying there. I will apply to CalArts too because...I feel like I should. You know it has a great reputation but I have yet to speak to anyone in the recruitment office or in administration who sounded knowledgeable. I'm beginning to think that their reputation is what keeps them afloat, rather than the work that comes out of the school. All of the animators I admire graduated from there more than ten years ago. I am less impressed with them as a result of my experiences with the administration and the application process.
I am going to call CCA and talk to someone more knowledgeable. I don't want to toss out the school because of one clueless person.
Sadly Sheridan and VFS were not in attendance. I would have liked to have met reps from the schools in person.
I saw a lot of high school kids in weird arty clothing, a few were dressed professionally (very few), some had portfolios, some didn't bring sketchbooks at all, which I found odd, and one girl walked out of her review and burst into tears. Yikes. If you're busting a gut now the real world might kill you. She sounded like she had faith in herself after talking to her Dad. Hopefully now she's recovered.
As for my art, the reviews were positive. Mainly keep doing what I've been doing, work on perspective and try drawing things in color to mix it up a bit.
I can do that.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Life Drawing Lab O' Rama | Gesture Drawings
Mary is one of the best life drawing models I've ever had the privilege to draw. She's so much fun and her poses are great.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
CalArts Portfolio | Denver Zoo Edition
Here are the first few pages of my CalArts sketchbook. This is the supplement I am mailing to the school in addition to my portfolio. I want to make sure I have a copy of everything, as they won't be sending my sketchbook back. Gotta wonder what they do with all the sketchbooks they receive every year.
Anyway - more animals from the Denver Zoo!
Malayan Tapir swimming - the world's cutest animal.
Rhino looking depressed. Wishing he could break through the wall.
Polar Bear
Another Polar Bear
Peacock hanging out.
Lion
Lion
And...lion
Mimi getting her medicated foot bath.
Lots of Dall sheep chillin'.
Male Cassowary in many poses.
Cape Buffalo chowing down with baby in tow.
Two camels.
Anyway - more animals from the Denver Zoo!
Malayan Tapir swimming - the world's cutest animal.
Rhino looking depressed. Wishing he could break through the wall.
Polar Bear
Another Polar Bear
Peacock hanging out.
Lion
Lion
And...lion
Mimi getting her medicated foot bath.
Lots of Dall sheep chillin'.
Male Cassowary in many poses.
Cape Buffalo chowing down with baby in tow.
Two camels.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Malayan Tapir featured at the Denver Zoo
I ADORE the Malayan Tapir. Currently there are two at the Denver Zoo. They remind me of a cross between a hippo and an elephant in their behavior. They are also ridiculously cute. Here are my renditions of one of my new favorite animals to draw:
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The Denver Zoo Continued
Told you I had a lot of these drawings.
In other news, I start my new job tomorrow. Very excited about it. No more unemployment - HOORAH! Here in Denver so many people applied for unemployment that the offices are backlogged - it now takes 6 - 8 weeks to receive checks instead of 4. Consequently, I haven't received any money yet. So I am glad to now be gainfully employed. I read an article in the Post on Sunday that while the national average is 9.6, the unemployment rate for Colorado is 7.3, so at least we are below average. That's hardly any consolation for those who are unemployed, so my heart goes out to them.
But like I said earlier - zoo animals. So here they are:
A Rhinoceros Hornbill. One of the coolest creatures I've ever seen.
Every time I go to the zoo the Rhino is licking dirt. I don't think he gets enough iron in his diet.
Let me tell you I've never seen a more content hippo in my life.
Or a sleepier bear.
Gorilla holding onto the bars like he's a prisoner. Poor gorilla.
Gorilla. Again.
I had never seen a giraffe sitting before. They don't do this often. Probably because it's so complicated to get back up.
In other news, I start my new job tomorrow. Very excited about it. No more unemployment - HOORAH! Here in Denver so many people applied for unemployment that the offices are backlogged - it now takes 6 - 8 weeks to receive checks instead of 4. Consequently, I haven't received any money yet. So I am glad to now be gainfully employed. I read an article in the Post on Sunday that while the national average is 9.6, the unemployment rate for Colorado is 7.3, so at least we are below average. That's hardly any consolation for those who are unemployed, so my heart goes out to them.
But like I said earlier - zoo animals. So here they are:
A Rhinoceros Hornbill. One of the coolest creatures I've ever seen.
Every time I go to the zoo the Rhino is licking dirt. I don't think he gets enough iron in his diet.
Let me tell you I've never seen a more content hippo in my life.
Or a sleepier bear.
Gorilla holding onto the bars like he's a prisoner. Poor gorilla.
Gorilla. Again.
I had never seen a giraffe sitting before. They don't do this often. Probably because it's so complicated to get back up.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Life Drawing Presents: Elephants Elephants Elephants
Dolly and Mimi are lovely models. Thanks, ladies.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Animal Life Drawing - The Series
Hi all,
so in my quest to perfect my portfolio I overloaded on life drawing courses this summer and visited the Zoo every week. I can see the improvement and I look forward to sending these drawings off. Here are a few from the zoo.
Enjoy!
Cinerous Vulture
Cinerous Vulture again
Cassowary - this guy never sits still. I am impressed he actually sat down for this one.
Camels
Asiatic Black Bears
so in my quest to perfect my portfolio I overloaded on life drawing courses this summer and visited the Zoo every week. I can see the improvement and I look forward to sending these drawings off. Here are a few from the zoo.
Enjoy!
Cinerous Vulture
Cinerous Vulture again
Cassowary - this guy never sits still. I am impressed he actually sat down for this one.
Camels
Asiatic Black Bears
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