Last week was senior portfolio week at MICA. By a strange stroke of luck, four of my SVA homies all ended up at MICA to participate. Though we didn’t get to see each other at once, it was great getting hugs and catching up with everyone in small groups. Taeeun, Lauren (MICA graduate), and Nora reviewed portfolios and “The Bean” spoke to my advanced book illustration class. Here are a few pics…
Lauren and Tae spelling "hi" for the camera
We girls had a great time catching up over desert at Cafe Hon. I will spare you the sordid details of our little slumber party. When picturebook artists get together, there’s no telling what will happen! I’m still scraping paint off my ceiling 
Tae giving advice to Hannah (www.cargocollective.com/htrieb)
After saying farewell to Lauren I ushered Tae over to MICA for a day of portfolio reviews with our seniors. Tae is seen with Hannah Trieb here, you can see more of her work at www.cargocollective.com/htrieb. Hannah has also been my teaching assistant this semester for advanced book illustration. Here is one of her thesis pieces:
from "The Anti-Love Potion", written and illustrated by Hannah Trieb
After a day of portfolio reviews, we picked up Jonathan Bean. On Thursday, Jonathan spoke with my advanced book illustration class about his work as a college student, why he chose graduate school, his evolved style, and how he got published. It was so good to re-live those days at SVA and to see years of hard work pay off so greatly.
Jonathan guiding us down publication lane
we are all wowed
My lucky students had a chance to have their work seen and reviewed by Jonathan after his presentation. In the meantime, I had to sneak away for about twenty minutes to visit with Deerwood Elementary via Skype in my office (I had completely forgotten about the appointment). Thanks to the Auburn Avenue Research Library, and the Ashley Bryan Traveling Exhibition, my work is still traveling throughout schools in Georgia. Since I can’t be in Atlanta to visit with each school alongside the work, Skype is as close to cloning myself as I can get.
the "giant head" visit with Deerwood Elementary
When I ran back downstairs (literally), Jonathan was in the middle of talking with students about their work. My independent study also had a chance to share the book that she has been illustrating all year. Having him and Tae join my class was such a treat. Nora Krug reviewed senior portfolios that day as well. We weren’t able to hang out with her, but we did sneak upstairs to say hi.
"The Bean" sharing his wisdom
Nora!
after a beautiful lunch at the Ambassador
Sadly, our week had to come to a close. It was a whirlwind adventure and I am looking forward to seeing everyone again very soon. Thanks to all of my homies for supporting the students at MICA and thanks to MICA for supporting the homies. For those of you who are interested in sharing your work with the MICA community, feel free to e-mail me at sstrickland at mica dot edu. Congratulations to the graduating class of 2012!!!
