Open mmmaxine opened 6 years ago
hutchowen
commented
6 years ago @mmmaxine as far as I'm concerned, you're the best copywriter we have. If you feel like what is on the old site is not good, then tweak or write as you like. If you want me to write or re-write, I will.
mmmaxine
commented
6 years ago @hutchowen Do you have a collection of testimonials? I'm looking for one for the weeklong workshop page. :) I seem to remember you showing me a spreadsheet or doc with a bunch that you'd collected.
hutchowen
commented
6 years ago 
Thankfully, the week-long workshop at the Sequential Artists Workshop I mentioned in my last newsletter came right after that. I decided to work on parts of telling my abuse story, after my new friend & new favorite artist, Sara, suggested that it might help me, after all these years, to get it out of my heart and head and into "manageable boxes on the page." OH GOD THAT SOUNDED NICE. And it was incredibly healing to begin that work. Plus, working with Tom and Justine and Jess at SAW, I had my storytelling brain cracked wide open, yet again. Here's a panel to tease you... it's gonna take me years to finish this, but it feels friggin' great. - Deanna Zandt
By the way, I feel immensely grateful and indebted to you for the time I got to spend at SAW this year. I can't imagine this year without it, and I can't say enough about how much it's done for me artistically and also in terms of grounding: my creative practice/space is way more available to me now as a kind of shelter-place in my chaotic life, and it also always beckons a fun adventure-world! It's a wonderful shift in my life. And it's something I've brought back with me, even if I don't always have drawing time up here. I think of my progression in just the weeks I was there-- before SAW I never would have been able to crank out that random fairy comic in basically 36 hours! Being around brilliant teachers like you and J, and then all the hard-working, passionate, talented students--it's so motivating and inspiring! YAY SAW! -ZANNAH
NEW TESTIMONIALS:
2015: I think SAW made me a better person- more confident as a person and an artist.
-Jenny Guan
2014:
Michael Thompson
"I wanted to learn how to make comics. I wanted to build worlds and bring readers on guided tours through them. I'd say I've made more progress to that end in one semester at SAW than I have alone in the last 5 years. It's more valuable than you realize, an atmosphere of other artists, the students and the teachers, the aspiring and the published, your friends and your rivals. They push you to be greater. The least you can do is try to be good enough to push them higher too." If that's too long, you can just cut it at the 5 years part.
Cara Bean: SAW is an affordable gem. Visit the school to witness a supportive environment where motivated artists are encouraged to be as weird and innovative as they desire.
I am taking a sabbatical from my job as a high school art teacher in the cold northeast to study comics in sunny Florida. I can see that my comics knowledge and abilities are rapidly expanding. I am looking forward to sharing what I am learning about comics history, storytelling, and technical art skills with my future students. I feel fortunate to be surrounded by intelligent, dedicated, and generous artists. There is a wonderful creative community in Gainesville. I am having so many meaningful experiences and I will be sad when it ends.
Miguel Yurrita: I'm very happy to say I am getting more out of my time at SAW than I ever could've imagined. Under the guidance of teachers who not only know what they are talking about but also seem to genuinely love what it is they're talking about I have been able to refine my approach towards art while simultaneously learning about new methods and tools with which to execute said approach. Thanks to SAW I feel like I am on the right track to finding my voice as an artist.
Ceili Braidwood: I was talking recently with a cartoonist friend who was asking me about my experiences at SAW and she asked me specifically if there was one main thing I learnt at SAW that has since been invaluable to my work. I tried to give her some kind of answer but honestly I learnt so many amazing and useful things in my time there that picking out just one is nigh on impossible. From storytelling techniques to improving my art skills all the way to the deep and varied history of comics, there is just a plethora of skills learnt at SAW that I find myself applying to my current practice.
As a course that focuses specifically on the individual's personal growth as a cartoonist, artist and storyteller, SAW was exactly what I was looking for. Unlike more mainstream art and illustration courses, SAW is small enough that every student is able and encouraged to focus on their own particular strengths. It offers not only the perfect environment in which to do this but also the amazing and dedicated teachers without whom I would never have advanced my own work so quickly in such a short space of time.
While Florida will never be top of my list of favourite places, The Sequential Artists Workshop of Gainseville has earned a place in my heart as a great hub for sequential art and comics learning and I would encourage anyone interested in advancing their own cartooning skills to consider SAW as a great first choice and an amazing learning environment.
Hope that's helpful to you! Good luck with the fundraising and wishing you the best for the holidays and the New Year,
Ceili Braidwood
Michelle Tabares:
Here's the testimonial:
Like most artists, I've struggled with a variety of technical, creative and emotional issues pertaining to my work.
The teachers at The Sequential Artist's Workshop work with you individually and as a group to address all of these areas of concern and foster growth by equipping you with new sources of inspiration, tools, techniques and of course, with knowledge.
Perhaps most importantly, SAW's supportive and encouraging atmosphere has helped give me the confidence needed to take risks and feel proud of the work I'm doing. I would whole-heartedly recommend SAW to all creators who are serious about improving their storytelling and artistic skills.
And here's a story:
Within our first week of classes, Tom showed us the risograph in the corner of the classroom (it's an upgrade to your common photocopier, commonly used in printing comics). Hearing horror stories that it was a complicated, finicky, loud and frankly downright intimidating machine, I was convinced there was no way I'd ever be able to learn how to use it. It became a personal mission to avoid at all costs!
Luckily, everyone managed to convince me that I could learn how to use the risograph. Tom spent several hours with me after class coaching me and when he wasn't around, former and current classmates were there to help. With their instruction and support, I was able to print a comic I was extremely proud of; with a machine I had previously sworn off forever!
This is just one of many examples of how SAW's supportive and engaging environment has made a huge difference on my creative skills and confidence in my work. - Michelle Tabares (?)
I use to use 2h pencils and tiny, controllable microns. I use to panic before touching down on a shiny new Bristol board. I can now confidently say I use 6B pencils and can put a toothpick down on a shiny new Bristol board and go ham on a page. The confidence is real and I don't think I could have done that without SAW and the brilliant, encouraging staff of teachers. I trust myself now to give one hell of a story whether it be one panel or a crazy number of pages and I also trust myself to keep going if that story falls flat.
A wonderful realization after I left SAW was that I knew how to be an artist and not a person that does art blindly. The variety of the teachers and the different artists and writers they brought in or showed us on the Google really made me pick and choose what I was into and what I wasn't into (Who I wanted to be and who I didn't want to be as an artist.) When I was there I could never answer "What artists do you admire?" or "Who are you looking at for inspiration?" I can now answer that question: Simonson, Daumier, Sargent, Keane, and Justine Mara Anderson.
Comics are more than ink lines and a story, they are you spilled all over a page. I know that now too.
I am so thankful for SAW and the experiences I had there. I miss you all.
-Chance Miller
SAW has helped me be more confident in storytelling and drawing. I used to have trouble putting my ideas down on paper, and since going through one half of the first year program, it's made things so much easier. It's a great program, with great teachers, and all for a very great price. - Jenny Guan
Making comics had always seemed to me like difficult, often overwhelming work. SAW hasn't changed that idea, bit it's given me the competence and confidence to face it head on. There's so many books to learn from. I'm getting more excited about comics every day. - Jospeh Garland.
2013:
Best workshop I have ever participated in, hands down. I learned as a writer, a cartoonist, and as a teacher. - Justin Colussy-Estes
The John Porcellino workshop was as creatively inspiring, focused and engaged as I've ever been with any group of people for a long time, if not my whole life. There was so much joy in how John approached comics and encouraged us to approach comics. For too long I've thought about producing work - writing, comics, etc - but have stopped short when I hit something like the question, "but does the world really need another random story, especially from somebody like me?" John turned that question on its head - we create comics, we tell stories, not because there's a need in the world, but because there's a need in us. John P. is like comics' version of those Tibetan monks who spend days creating a sand mandala, only to sweep it all away after they're done. For Johh, producing comics is an act of redemption, it's how he creates order in this crazy, messed up world. This workshop gave me, gave all of us, I think, access to that - we all tapped into it. We formed a community built on creativity, hope, and the joy of producing art you can hold in your hand, show others, and carry out into the world. That's the power of comics, that's the power of zines, and I don't think it could have happened anywhere in the world except at the Sequential Artists Workshop in Gainesville.
Almost every day since the workshop, I've gushed to someone - family, friends, colleagues, vague acquaintances - about the workshop. Yesterday, though, I was talking to someone who, like me, has been to many writing workshops of various sorts. I talked about how this was different, how we didn't come with material to be critiqued, but instead came to create... "oh, you mean you actually workshopped?" my friend replied. And this is what was so amazing--the students, John, and the faculty of S.A.W.: Tom, Leela, Dan, we were all working together to shape and encourage and guide one another to produce our best work. I know that, for me, this is unquestionably the case. I feel confident now I can continue to grow in my writing and cartooning given the tools and focus I found through the guidance of John Porcellino and the SAW program.
This is from my blog/webcomic: "If you have any chance to participate in any of the various workshops, classes, or year-long studies at the Sequential Artists Workshop, you must! Tom Hart and Leela Corman have something special going on down there - as good a workshop as I've ever been involved with."
Also, don't forget what I wrote in the Fig (inside front cover)
I hope this doesn't sound overblown; I mean every word, even if I can't help but sound a little canned. I don't know if I can come down often, but I will always be on the lookout for ways I can participate. From the bottom of my heart, Tom, I thank you,
Justin
Jenny on March 10, 2012 at 10:00 pm. Studying with John Porcellino was so transformational! John is an amazing person, artist, and teacher. He has a gift of sharing and teaching that guides us to find ourselves and our own strengths, ways of doing things, and styles. I loved what I created in the workshop and I know that this is just the beginning of my blossoming as a writer and artist. The comics that my fellow students wrote under John’s guidance were so amazing and sweet and funny and well-written —oh, the words and stories are still lingering in my mind! John has such a talent in helping people to find the best in themselves and to express this uniqueness on paper. I loved having the opportunity to take a workshop at SAW. Tom Hart has created such a wonderful, inviting environment that made me feel like part of a community before I even arrived. His thoughtful emails, before the workshop, included offers to find lodging for me, to pick me up from the airport, and to answer my many questions about Gainesville—all of this hospitality made me feel like I was visiting an old friend even though I had never met or talked with Tom before I registered for the John Porcellino workshop. Tom hosted a potluck at his house on the Sunday before the workshop started and this feeling, of belonging to a community, deepened the whole week. It is a precious experience to meet people who are so much like me when I’ve been living my life feeling so different and out-of-place. I feel so incredibly blessed to have had this John Porcellino workshop and SAW experience/community and to have met my classmates/new friends. This past week has been a life-changing experience for me. Reply
Sharon on March 12, 2012 at 4:09 pm. Taking a workshop with John Porcellino was a wonderful experience. He is a generous, honest, and creative teacher who gives readily to his students, whether advice or life stories. He is also clear and articulate on how he had arrived on his own personal style of drawing and writing and gave us peeks into his process and even into his notebooks. The people at SAW were also awesome: from places to eat to where to stay for the week – there were many suggestions and ideas on what to do. Tom Hart had his bases covered. Leela Corman as host was also great. Nice venue too with that wonderful Florida light streaming into the studio. And the place is chock full of comics and inspiration! Reply
Karla Holland on March 17, 2012 at 3:05 pm. When I first arrived to the SAW workshop, I never had a true comics community (didn’t know what a ZINE was until last month!) and didn’t realize how much it had affected my perspective on the comics industry. Before my arrival to SAW, I felt that I needed sophisticated knowledge and instruction and possibly equipment to even create work anyone would read. I originally took the workshop just to prepare me for a potential submission to the oh-so-prestigious School for Visual Arts. By the end of the week, I met people with whom I had more in common than anyone in I’ve ever attended school with. I’m not even thinking about schools anymore. Listening to John gave me the courage to purge some age-old personal hang-ups regarding how my life as a comic artist in particular. He teaches you cost effective techniques that frees you from feeling tied to syndicates, editors, and other suppressive filters who’ve caused comic culture to rebel in the first place. While previous workshops I’ve attended gave simple academic instruction that remind me of my college art classes, John’s instruction came straight from his own experience and feelings. You feel more secure enough to make mistakes, try again, and eat a snack while doing so. Overall, SAW is a simple workshop with simple instruction in a simple town, but with extraordinary results. Can’t get any better than that. Reply
Elvis on March 20, 2012 at 7:44 pm. I’m still riding on a strong wave of inspiration from this workshop! It was totally awesome, and I can’t recommend SAW more: the people (Tom Hart, Leela Corman, John Porcellino) are friendly, welcoming, great crew. The space is big and filled with COMICS, art, cartoons, and original work splashed all over the walls. It was such a great atmosphere to be in for a week, soaking up the comics-y goodness from every which way, and also a ton of intense Florida sunlight. I’ve come home with a renewed sense of comics purpose, serious artistic energy, and a whole new set of goals. Definitely check out SAW, and also remember that it’s a perfect vacation for folks in non-Southern climates, year-round! Thanks everyone!
hutchowen
commented
6 years ago there are tons 4 u!
mmmaxine
commented
6 years ago Thanks @hutchowen !
zee-em
commented
6 years ago Maxine, I can also review the copy! Let's make a date to go over the plans. :)
xo z
On Mon, Oct 2, 2017 at 4:17 PM, Maxine notifications@github.com wrote:
Thanks @hutchowen https://github.com/hutchowen !
— You are receiving this because you were assigned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/saw-comics-gnv/planning/issues/20#issuecomment-333652170, or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AMyLgoeGAReBLRjCkSVn9jJsI6jtTxgFks5soUTlgaJpZM4PiHcd .
mmmaxine
commented
6 years ago @zee-em I'd love that. I made good progress this week. What day(s) are good for you?
hutchowen
commented
6 years ago Hi guys, can we still shoot for an October launch? I want to start blogging more, and doesn't seem right to do it on current platform. As Maxine was saying, let's get to simplest viability and just launch it, and tweak from there.
mmmaxine
commented
6 years ago I think we can get it done in October. Zannah, do you want to schedule a time when we can go over the content? This week is pretty open for me.
On Wed, Oct 4, 2017 at 10:49 AM, hutchowen notifications@github.com wrote:
Hi guys, can we still shoot for an October launch? I want to start blogging more, and doesn't seem right to do it on current platform. As Maxine was saying, let's get to simplest viability and just launch it, and tweak from there.
— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/saw-comics-gnv/planning/issues/20#issuecomment-334180729, or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AcqpfxQnb9pCXNMt_cZHHkYnJ42V572Hks5so5r3gaJpZM4PiHcd .
mmmaxine
commented
6 years ago BTW We decided NOT to include Hire SAW from the first iteration of the website while we figure out whether we want to continue this.
hutchowen
commented
6 years ago We want to continue it!
We've done great work this year.
Maybe the wording needs to change or something, which is fine, and it's ok that it take a back seat to other launch stuff, but it should be a part of it for sure. Including a portfolio of what we've done, similar to http://sequentialartistsworkshop.org/wordpress/projects/saw-projects/
:) - TH
On Thu, Nov 30, 2017 at 10:37 AM, Maxine notifications@github.com wrote:
BTW We decided NOT to include Hire SAW from the first iteration of the website while we figure out whether we want to continue this.
— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/saw-comics-gnv/planning/issues/20#issuecomment-348225063, or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AckrZ2XLRlsKFGdGrBe2c52HC-JtBHfAks5s7su2gaJpZM4PiHcd .
Sequential Artists Workshop www.sequentialartistsworkshop.org twitter/instagram: comicsworkshop facebook: sequentialartistsworkshop
Tom Hart: tomhart.net
mmmaxine
commented
6 years ago Gotcha! Good clarification, Tom!
hutchowen
commented
6 years ago thanks!
On Thu, Nov 30, 2017 at 11:18 AM, Maxine notifications@github.com wrote:
Gotcha! Good clarification, Tom!
— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/saw-comics-gnv/planning/issues/20#issuecomment-348238391, or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AckrZy_zXaTrhqJCZmMBKrZltU37kV5uks5s7tUsgaJpZM4PiHcd .
Sequential Artists Workshop www.sequentialartistsworkshop.org twitter/instagram: comicsworkshop facebook: sequentialartistsworkshop
Tom Hart: tomhart.net
GOAL: clear, concise copy that is friendly to humans & search engines.
Needs to be written
Needs Editing (but written)
Copy, in progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j_XeN2Xky9m1afTdmsq8yir1Yb90sUenimubvp3IpVM/edit Site Map: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P1CP3k24GgkhlyxKe6qCj3DjdtnKVxMyKeKMQjdvX38/edit#gid=0
ONLINE COPY IN PROGRESS (current) is here: https://sequentialartistsworkshop.thinkific.com/pages/stop-dreaming-start-making-comics