Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Summer
5
Your Student Council:
The Student Council at The Art Institute of
7
Fashion Roulette: A review of the
fashion event of the Spring Season: Fashion Roulette.
14
Interview with Felicia Day:
The Girl Gamers Club talks with writer, actress and
Seattle is here, working for you. producer Felicia Day after the Emerald City Comicon.
17
Pixel Punchout: Graphic Designers
across the city of Seattle come together to compete
27
Celebrity Slop: Culinary student
Justin Cottrell takes a look at the influx
29
Stairway to Seven: The story
behind the mural in The Art Institute of
in the first annual Pixel Punchout. of Celebrity cookbooks over the last few years and Seattle’s south campus stairwell.
suggests the best ways to choose your celebrity chef.
15 Seattle Poster Museum 31 Art of Sarah Russell
26 Recipes from around
19 Lenora Redesign the World
21 T he Curious Case of
the Fine Arts Degree
23 Post Secrets
Fuel Staff
Managing Editor:
Kelcey Hatch
(a.whirling.dervish@gmail.com) Contributing Authors:
Teryn Rudolph Nina Kim
Art Director/Staff Manager: Maria Harris Kelcey Hatch
Jesse Phillips Carly Avery Jayne Leighty
(jessetheswingdancequeen@gmail.com) Jesse Phillips Daniella Kirby
The Backyard
The club was made to be the place for We always love to hear new ideas and are
everyone (not only for photo students) looking forward to an exciting summer and
to make friendships, share photography a packed fall. All Ai Seattle students are
experience, and to experiment with new welcome to come to a regularly scheduled
techniques. We have had many activities, meeting, join us on our excursions or come
including image critique sessions, field trips, find us on Facebook.
While it was an attractive knee, this is not a knee Always keep the lines of communication open,
shot. It didn’t take the other students long to realize especially with your faculty and Academic Directors.
he had no idea what he was doing. He was pulled off Also, if you find yourself struggling for whatever
camera and reduced to a Production Assistant. Never reasons, don’t let things build. I can’t tell you how
a good sign on a student production so try not to many times a student has come to me with “one”
miss class and don’t fail your team. Do you think this concern when it was really five rolled into one. Your
student went on to graduate and work in the field? Academic Director can offer you an objective perspective.
Ray: So what was that like? Matt: Doesn’t make much sense for a guy who
(Missing out on an opportunity) hates the water to live on an island…
Working
Written by Anthony Garzzona
Layout by Vassil Ivanov
Student Sponsored Housing provided by our Another perk of student is playing the role of a
educational institution is a humble collective of Hello AiS community! My name is Megan
homework tester for those wonderful students Kijewski and I am the new Dean of Student
residents from wildly diverse backgrounds. Not who are enrolled in or institution’s culinary/
only do these residents come from different Affairs at the Art Institute of Seattle campus.
baking and pastry programs. A creative mind I am truly honored and excited about the
geographic regions reaching far across the requires fuel, and what better roomies could
globe, but interests and hobbies are as diverse opportunity to work cooperatively with our
there be than the ones who cook all day long? students, faculty and staff towards a more
as the objects in your grandmother’s medicine I suppose the only time that situation would
cabinet. Vick’s Vapo Rub included. inclusive and engaged learning community
not be desirable is if the roommate was not the on campus. My work in both domestic and
best cook. But at least they are in their chosen international student affairs has allowed me
Located right on the corner of 2nd and Lenora program to get better right?
Street amidst the bars and bistros of Belltown, to understand the complex needs of college
The Lenora is a swift five minutes walk away students from a wide variety of cultures and
Overall, school sponsored housing is a very backgrounds. During my tenure, I aim to
from our main campus which is one of its fine social environment where residents can
perks. As a resident myself, at no time was I improve student retention and access to campus
mingle and participate in social programs and community services designed to support
concerned about parking, traffic or waking which are planned by the Student
up too early for that eight a.m. Monday our student body.
Housing Resident Assistant staff. These social
morning class. But, if the residents should find programs range from waffle and root beer floats
themselves pressed for time in the morning College affords students the ability to explore
nights, movie nights, trips to the nearby E.M.P. diverse areas of interest as well as develop a more
and need that extra kick to start their day, a and aquarium, and even the zoo just to name a
Starbucks Coffee shop is conveniently located coherent and fulfilling sense of being. As Dean,
few. Oh and did I my goal is to foster this exploration through
on the buildings first floor, adjacent to Blond mention that 96.43%-99.332% of the time
hair salon and Wann Japanese restaurant on the co-curricular programming, community
these events are free to the residents? Please service opportunities, and continuous support
east side of 2nd street. do not inquire about where I am pulling these of our student body through outreach and
percentages from. support services. I believe strongly in student
As a resident within this establishment for
just over two years, I have been granted the engagement and am an active advocate for
This entire description has come from my strengthening our student run clubs and
supreme pleasure to meet and network with the experience as a resident within student housing,
diverse group which I have already described. organizations on campus. As a community, it
but also as Resident Assistant for the building. is imperative that we work together towards a
I find myself surrounded by students from all I have been able to meet and connect with new
program backgrounds and am able to relate and shared experience and a supportive educational
people every new quarter, and have established environment free of intolerance or exclusion.
discover aspects about their program to be used strong relationships that I would not have
for my own benefit. This calls for an example. I developed anywhere else. We residents are but
am enrolled in the Industrial Design program at The Student Affairs department is located on
a fraction of the entire school population, but the 5th floor of the North Campus. Please come
school, so let us say that I have a product which what powerful fraction that is.
I have designed and developed all the way up by and say hello to our wonderful staff and take
to the creation of a model, but I still need some advantage of all of the services available to you as
bomb final pictures taken of said model. I can a student. If you need assistance with housing,
either advertise within student housing, or find disability services, international advising,
my friend (let’s call him Morpheus) who is a or would like to learn more about clubs and
organizations, we are here to answer all of
a
photographer, who just so happens to need to
e n o r
your questions and support you during your
L
have product pictures taken for a project of his
Th e
own. It’s a win win for Morpheus and I. Plus academic path. I encourage you all to come and
our networking base has expanded by one. speak with me about your vision for our campus
and programming you would benefit from. Best
Blond of luck to you all in your studies!
Ha
Salon ir Wann Japanese Regards,
Restaurant
Megan Kijewski
Dean of Student Affairs
Tyler Johnson
Cindy Marlatt
From
Easy Rider ...
Katt Gober
Olesya Grabovskaya
latt
The Producers
10
monaalisapro.blogspot.com
11
12
Sakura-Con three-day event where anime fans are able to arcade with “crazy fast gamers”, a Masquerade
meet with others with a common interest, or Ball, Japanese cultural events, and martial arts
more likely, where fans have the privilege to demos. There was also instruction on origami
demonstrate their geekdom to it’s fullest. It’s and kimonos, traditional Taiko drummers,
like becoming that prepubescent child again. and a charity auctions where proceeds
went to the Make-a-Wish-Foundation.
Sakura-Con originated in 1998 with 330
attendees and now has over 600 volunteers Events went all day and some into the morning.
and an estimate of 19,000 attendants. This is One major draw back with so much going on
not a free event, but if you preregister the price was that you would need to skip out on one event
of the weekend attendance to go to another but the convention center was
is any where from $35- accommodating for as many people that were
$50 depending on when there you didn’t feel overwhelmed by the crowd.
you register and $60 for
the weekend at the door. If with all of this going on in the event
Daily rates are also available. halls and you were still looking for more
you could hang out in the corridors and be
Though many were in costume, entertained by all those that were dressed up
other attendees didn’t sport any in anime costumes and in character ready to
armor other than a camera to put on a scene and strike a pose for pictures.
capture the weekend. Media
was in attendance obtaining There was definitely something there for
interviews and reviewing everyone. From babies to Batman, everyone
anime and new movie appeared to be having a great time. Of
releases. It was easy once course this may not have been as big as
inside the convention center Comic-con, but it’s a healthy slice of geeky
Article by Keinan Sutton Layout by Carly Avery to get lost in the commotion goodness, which we look forward to next year.
13
This spring, the AiS Girl Gamer Club (GGC) by example, set your eye on the career you want Felicia: “I think it’s nice to have a support
was given the opportunity to attend the Emerald and overcome whatever obstacle is in your path, group, but I personally prefer to just be a gamer
City Comicon, held at the Washington State or find a way around it. Dunno about dating, but first, being a girl is incidental .”
Convention Center. in Seattle The halls were certainly gaming is a good conversation topic to
filled with cosplayers, talented artists, friendly open with!” GGC: As an actress for many game related
celebrities, and a ton of happy attendees, projects, such as Dragon Age Redemption,
making the convention a great success. I was GGC: If you could have any in game item in would you say you have any similar
n
more than pleased to witness two of the Star Real Life, what would it be? characteristics as your character Tallis?
Trek cast challenging each other to a bit of
Picard impersonations, the Boondock Saints Felicia: “Cloak of invisibility. I like to eavesdrop!” Felicia: “I have similar characteristics with every
duo giving out high fives, and Seattle’s own character I ever play, Tallis is pretty forthright
superhero, Phoenix Jones, glancing over a stack GGC: Would you ever consider writing for an and smart mouthed, so we definitely have a bit
of comics. Several of us also caught a panel for indie game? in common there.”
“The Guild”, featuring actress and writer Felicia
Day where we were excited to hear about her Felicia: “Definitely would be interested in Smart mouthed? More like quick witted, though
journey as a pssionat gamer as well as actress, writing for games, although my schedule is we all enjoy a little Felicia Day spunkiness here
writer and producer. quite busy right now, so it’s a dream list goal and there. Felicia is a great inspiration and her
for now!” creativity will continue to entertain us in her
Felicia joined together with a group of friends upcoming projects.
several years ago to write an produce a series of GGC: Is there any game related role or project
webisodes about the lives of gamers. Featuring you dream or hope to undertake? Be sure to check out The Guild and keep a
her patended sense of humor and some touching lookout for her new webseries, Dragon Age
moments, “The Guild” has become a cult Felicia: “I’d love to be portrayed as a character Redemption.
favorite. Hearing about her journey as a writer in a game, a companion character maybe, that
and gamer, we could not help to be excited to would rock.” “I think it’s nice to
interview Ms. Day online with a solid admiration have a support group, but
for her influence in the game industry. GGC: What do you think about organizations I personally prefer to just be
like GameCrush and girls who use the label of a gamer first, being a girl is
GGC: Why do you love games and do you female gamer to their advantage?
feel it has helped you in other aspects of life?
incidental”
14
Opening Party
Down in Pioneer Square, tucked in between
an array of boutiques and eateries is the
Poster Museum, a new edition to Seattle’s
already lengthy list of museums. This is not
your average museum with rooms and rooms
of several types of art. This space has been
created to highlight one of the oldest and most
interesting mediums; the poster. With high
white walls and a long and narrow layout, the
Poster Museum is an understated and quaint
space that provides a perfect background to
display the pieces.
15
16
17
Pixel Punchout round one designs clockwise from top; Brian Piper, Bryan Mamaril, Josh Peters, Jeff Barlow,
Nate Johnson, Zachary Pfriem and Anasazi Wade. Not pictures is Tara Lee’s design. The contestants were
required to use the Helvetica Nueu typeface, the words road trip and Thinkstock images.
18
international studio
to design Lenora
Three interior design students, Renato more well-defined, and the clients “signed-off”
Calmon, Brittney Kallas, and Bora Kim to execute the students’ design idea – or so they
joined Art Institute of Seattle Interior Design thought! The design solution still needed to go
faculty, S. Joshua Brincko, to design the recent through many iterations of changes since the
renovations to the Lenora Lobby where many student design team needed to ensure the plan
of our students live. Dean James Robson had a would meet the building codes, the budget,
vision of transforming the stale space into a hub and other complicated issues.
of activity where students could enjoy college
life and meet their classmates. Dean Robson The students’ final design proposal included
sought the help of Interior Design Director, modern finishes, enlarging the lobby by
Bill Edgar, to formulate a team of designers, expanding it into the space occupied by the
and he immediately approached the Interior adjacent fire egress corridor, and also relocating
Design Club. The the mailboxes. This larger lobby featured
club chose Brincko a lounge area with plenty of cozy couches,
“The student club to guide them tables, modern accents, and a custom-built
immediately got busy through the design entertainment center with a large flat screen TV.
throwing around process because of
sketches and ideas” his background as a The students also proposed to remove the wall
practicing architect between the lobby and an unused adjacent
and interior designer. storefront space. This became a student
hangout studio similar to a coffee shop with
The students began by meeting with Dean chairs, wireless internet, and desks at bar height
Robson, John Shannon, and other Art Institute looking out the storefront windows. This is
staff members to get a better idea of what they a space where students could collaborate on
were hoping for in their newly renovated projects any time of the day or night with
space. The student club immediately got busy plenty of desk space to spread out and durable
throwing around sketches and ideas before rubber floor tiles to withstand the creation of
settling on a couple design schemes to present art projects.
to their clients. The staff helped the club to
decide on which ideas would be most practical, Once the clients agreed that this was the best
functional, cost-effective, and beneficial to design option, the next step was to convert
develop better synergies within the student housing. the students’ sketchy artistic renderings to a
After many design meetings, the plans became more refined set of drafted drawings, so the
19
Below: Photos
of Lenora after
remodel
20
On a rare lovely sunny explaining who I was and asking the question
afternoon in Seattle, I sat that was utmost in my mind.
in a delightful coffee shop
on Capital Hill, happily sipping a “Mr. Darling, in this article you challenged the
caramel latte and paging through The Stranger. leadership of Cornish and the University of
Nestled in my chair I absorbed every word of Washington. Why didn’t you mention The Art
an article written by Jen Graves, top Seattle Institute of Seattle?” His response was not in
Art Critic, entitled “What’s wrong with art in any way what I expected.
Seattle? Our art schools, according to SAM’s
outgoing contemporary curator.” “I don’t want to offend you,” he replied, kindly.
“But the Art Institute...” he paused “...doesn’t exist.”
Now, having just completed by first quarter at
the time, my hackles got a little overexcited. What? How could this be true? The Art
Michael Darling, in the final moments of his Institute of Seattle has been around since
time as curator of the Seattle Art Museum 1946, originally as the Burnley School,
provided an interview wherein he challenged becoming a part of the Art Institutes in 1982.
the University of Washington’s art programs, What could he possibly mean? He continued
the programs at Cornish College of the Arts “At least in the fine art scene, it doesn’t exist.”
and The Art Institute of.....wait. Nope. Not
one mention of The Art Institute of Seattle; and Apparently, The Art Institute of Seattle, being
that, my friends, is what got me really thinking. a liberal art or commercial art school, is not
considered a fine art school. “I wouldn’t have
“Seattle needs to revolutionize its Masters of even known about the Art Institute except
Fine Arts program at the University of that I was asked to speak at graduation four
Washington;” Mr. Darling is quoted as years ago.” Mr. Darling stated. “Other than
saying. “I think that’s the number one thing that, I didn’t know that the Art Institute
holding back the Seattle art scene.” According even does art.” He paused again. “I mean,
to Jen Graves “This is just one man’s opinion at least the University of Washington has
- that Seattle is not going anywhere until the a gallery to display their students work.”
{ }
art schools get better - but he’s a powerful,
knowledgeable man and it’s a strong opinion,
not easy to dismiss, something that’s going to “I don’t want to offend you,” he
be argued over for probably many years.” replied, kindly. “But the Art
As it turns out, Ms. Graves has a Institute doesn’t exist.”
gift for prophecy, as this article has
brought up incredible discussions Mr. Darling in no way wanted to diminish my
between myself and several of the enthusiasm for AIS or for fine art in general, he
faculty at The Art Institute of Seattle. It was just stating his opinion. However, as one
sparked a sense of wonderment and curiosity of the top Seattle Art Critics once said, “This
in me and so, even without donning a Sherlock is just one man’s opinion - that Seattle is not
Holmes costume or taking up smoking a pipe, going anywhere until the art schools get better -
I headed to the phone in search of the truth. but he’s a powerful, knowledgeable man and
it’s a strong opinion, not easy to dismiss...”
My first call was to Michael Darling; he had
recently taken a position as curator of the I spoke with the aforementioned art critic from
Chicago Contemporary Art Museum, and the Seattle Stranger; on her way into a meeting,
even though the weather was taking some Ms. Graves took a few moments to talk about
getting used to, he was thoroughly enjoying her article with me, as well as offer her input in
his time in the Windy City and was more than regards to my conversation with Mr. Darling.
happy to take my call. I dove in headfirst, “He’s correct;” was her reply to my inquiry.
21
{ }
to be doing it for the money, but admitting
to enjoying the interaction with students.
“The boundaries are blurred
between art & design,” explained "I teach them to stand on their own
feet and find their own style.” stated
Scott Carnz, Dean at AIS. Cummings in an online interview.
“Everybody is born with the power
I turned at once to Scott Carnz, the new Dean to draw. It's taken away from them.
at AIS. He was really interested to hear what I try to give it back."
the fine art world in Seattle was thinking, and
happy to discuss it with me. “That’s a delicate AIS professor Andree Carter has art
question, Ms. Phillips.” he said, leaning back pieces currently commissioned at Hotel
in his chair. “because we’re not a fine arts Max, The Ogden Museum of Fine Art,
school.” (Okay, some of you already knew all Nieman Marcus and the Hyatt New
this before you started. Stop laughing.) Orleans among others. Carter has been
“The boundaries are blurred between art and featured in galleries such as the Seattle
design,” he explained. “It’s no longer a gallery Art Museum, Gallery 6311, and the Bellevue
opening that gets you a job. It’s all about Art Museum and is currently featured at
your portfolio, coupled with self promotional Heriard Cimino Gallery in New Orleans
materials.” Scott explained that even though and the Pacini Lubel Gallery in Seattle. She
students at AIS strive towards a Associates of has been an Art Institute teacher since 1998.
{ }
Applied Art (AAA) or A Bachelors of Fine Art
(BFA), the Art Institute of Seattle provides
students with an excellent education in commercial Apparently, It’s Elementary,
arts. “For lack of a better term.” he demurred.
My Dear Watson.
In speaking with Jim McLachlan, long time
instructor at AiS, I was informed that there
are many - MANY - instructors who make And the list goes on. The Art Institute of Seattle
a living in the fine arts world. Not “made”, strives to provide a mix of fine and commercial
but still make a living from their fine art. artists as instructors, giving students a healthy mix
of both fine art, and the design that is their passion.
Barry Scharf, whose biography reads “Master
painter, sculptor, and digital artist with a 40+ That’s the answer then, is it? The Art Institute
year history of professional exhibitions in doesn’t exist. But essentially, it doesn’t have to.
galleries and museums.” The understatement
of the century for a man who founded the Los “The biggest difference between art and design,”
Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE), says Scott Carnz, AiS Dean “is that art is about
is a three time Guru Award finalist and has the artist; design is not about the designer.”
taught at SIGGRAPH 2007, the largest and
most respected convention on animation, No real mystery there, I realized, calmly removing
to name just a few of his accomplishments. the Sherlock Holmes tweed hat from my head.
Barry has been a teacher at AIS since 1996. So, while the art schools in Seattle may be
responsible for what’s wrong with art in Seattle,
Julie Berger who started out her career designing the Art Institute is busy turning out designers.
jewelry and whose metal work can be seen all
over Seattle; her last project included the design Apparently, it’s elementary, my dear Watson.
of the Mercer Island Sound Transit station. Elementary, indeed.
22
I don’t care.”
suggested that he knows more secrets
than the CIA. (Which is funny since he’s
actually had the FBI show up at his door to “Within minutes of posting this we were
ask about certain “secrets”.) bombarded by pictures from teens across the
Post Secrets started as a community art country showing their bedroom doors and
project in 2003, but there’s more to the “I found that there are two kinds of secrets;” speaking words of encouragement to each other.”
story than that. Frank Marshall, the brains Frank says. “The ones that we keep from Because the “secrets” are anonymous the
and the heart behind the Post Secret Project others and the ones that we keep from authors are free to be honest about what’s
admits being obsessed with secrets since his ourselves.” Frank then picked up the clicker going on in their world and to encourage each
childhood. “Most of my secrets I kept from from the table on stage and pushed a button. other without fear of repercussion. Frank
my mom.” He admits, thought that’s not what Behind him on the big screen was one of perches his lanky frame on the stool on stage
really drove the Post Secret Project. his post secrets: a close up of a womans’ and gazes out at the audience.
nipple, with a pair of tweezers removing an
Several years before, Frank’s friend David unwanted hair. One word was written on the “I began to realize that the broken doors in my
had committed suicide. “In the time that image: “Confession.” The crowd groaned childhood had never really been addressed...
I’ve been talking,” Frank says, less than an and laughed as one, and much whispering and it changed me. I have found that the
hour into the program. “Two people have went on as Frank began explaining how he children who are almost broken by the world,
been murdered. But four have committed is constantly amazed at how often someone’s grow up to become the adults most likely to
suicide.” The Surgeon General stated that “secret” is actually the same secret that change it.”
suicide is the most preventable cause of death thousands of others are keeping as well.
in America, and in Iraq, the rate of suicide Frank grew up with a rough childhood and
in the American troops is higher than it’s Frank’s favorite story was about a pound of parents that were separated when he was
been in 25 years, with over 30% of troops coffee he received with a secret scrawled young. When Frank finally shared his vision
admitting to thoughts of suicide or struggling across the front: “My company never takes of the Post Secret project with his parents,
23
24
lin
C
a ry
u
25
Ingredients
buttered pan, and repeat with
Also, you can alter the glazing syrup remaining pastry and filling.
by adding artificial flavorings or other • Brush the tops of the pastries
citrus juices. Add a pinch of cayenne and liberally with remaining
substitute the lime-juice for the lemon
Directions
butter.
in the recipe above to give your Kataifi a • Bake for 30-45 minutes.
Spanish flair. Keep leftovers in an airtight • 20 mussels, in shell, washed,
Remove to a rack and let de-bearded
container for up to a week. stand for 5-10 minutes.
• Make syrup by combining • 1 T vegetable or sesame oil
Ingredients sugar and water over medium
Mix together brown sugar, curry
powder, cayenne, and coconut • 3 baby bok choy, washed,
1 ¼ cup butter, melted heat. As soon as sugar milk in a bowl, set aside. ends cut off, cut into 1” pieces
¾ cup walnuts, coarsely ground dissolves add lemon juice and
• 2 red bell peppers, seeded,
¾ cup almonds, coarsely ground cinnamon. Bring to a boil, Heat a deep pan or pot over finely julienned sliced
1/8 cup granulated sugar reduce heat and simmer for medium-high with vegetable or
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ten minutes. sesame oil in it. • 1 garlic clove, minced
1 egg beaten • Spoon hot syrup over rolls, • 1 T ginger, grated
2 tablespoons heavy cream cover the pan with a clean Sauté the shallots, garlic, and ginger
1 package of Kataifi dough towel, and let stand one to for 2 minutes. Add in the bok choy • 2 t light brown sugar
(shredded filo dough) two hours before serving, and red bell pepper, cook for another
3 minutes. • 1 t curry powder
occasionally basting with
• 1/8 t cayenne pepper
syrup.
For the syrup: • Serve with extra syrup drizzled
Pour in the coconut milk mixture
and bring to a boil. Once it has come • 1 can coconut milk
1 cup granulated sugar over the top and a sprinkling to a boil, add in the mussels, cover, (unsweetened), well shaken
1 cup water of powdered sugar. and let cook for 5-8 minutes or until • ¼ c cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice the shells begin to open. Turn off the
pinch of ground cinnamon Yields: 8-10 rolls heat & sprinkle with cilantro. • 1 lime, quartered
26
27
On Food and
Cooking: T he Science
& Lore of the Kitchen
by Harold McGee
v
A comprehensive discussion of popular table
ingredients and their interactions with our bodies.
Featuring analysis of the functions of hunger
and digestion, as well as common ingredients,
cooking methodologies and
tools/utensils. A must-read for anyone
interested in the nuts and bolts of
food and food preparation.
Charcuterie:
T he Craft of Salting,
Smoking and Curing by
Michael Ruhlman and
Brian Poleyn
v
A wonderful read, featuring thoughtful
descriptions, instructions and recipes
for many of our favorite cured
foodstuffs.
Celebrity
Slop: How to
Cook Celebrities
by Justin Cottrell
v
This is not a real book. It is,
however, a rather amusing joke
by the layout artist.
Graphics by Jesse Phillips She thought it was
hysterical.
28
]
The Art Institute of Seattle has been getting a facelift,
one wall at a time. “The bare walls have been a
problem for some time, and finally we’re able to do
something about it.” says Charles Duval, Ai Seattle
around me as a tool
student and one of the designers on this project. Last
summer The Art Institute of Seattle created a unique
of inspiration,””
opportunity for the students: a chance to leave more
than just handprints on the walls of the school. “My contribution to the mural was strongly
influenced by the need to create an environment,
“I hope that this project can be a catalyst inspiring a place where the viewer could submerge themselves
others to share their voice, bringing more life to the in a different existence.” says Rhadora Jacob,
walls of Ai Seattle’s Campus.” says Eddy Lee, who Ai Seattle student and another designer
works in Admissions at The Art Institute of Seattle on the project.
and was also a designer on the stairwell project.
“We didn’t have a set idea; Eddy wanted me to
The south stairwell leading from the sixth floor to be myself through my paintings.” says Rhadora.
the seventh floor in the South Campus received a “By doing just that I found a story and just went
huge burst of color thanks to the work of Eddy Lee, with it.” The result was a strong, vibrant, colorful
]
Charles Duval and Rhadora Jacob, who worked on and delightfully odd experience in design.
the stairwell design for the last few months.
[
From the top of the stairs, students begin a wet Charles Duval
“I hope that this and wild ride down where strange aliens, traffic
cones and adorable creatures with large eyes guard
over the stairwell. The collaboration of three
project can be a catalyst individual artists in one design brought a variety
of styles into one cohesive piece.
inspiring others to share Students at The Art Institute of Seattle have had the
their voice,”” opportunity to watch a mural of this scale through every
stage; many have left their notes of encouragement on
the stairway chalkboard throughout the months.
The team found inspiration in everything from the
basics of their technique and composition to the All of the time, passion, energy and effort has
beauty of day to day life, and even in their mistakes. been worth it, for in the end the mural has
“I use everything around me as a tool of inspiration,” accomplished the goal of it’s creators: bringing
says Duval “The result comes out on paper.” color and life to a dark and dreary place.
Eddy Lee
Rhadora Jacob
30
31
Lately I’ve been I breezed through the first five quarters. Sure, loved color and putting the right combinations
feeling a little there were struggles and I complained (a lot), together; turns out my gut was based in any
itchy about but I am proud to say I have a “perfect” (I really aspects of color theory but I still find myself
school - restless, hate that word) record of straight A’s thus far. questioning my decisions now. Why? I don’t
bored, irritated want to fail and I have set myself up for it...big
- fill in the Or am I? I have always been overly competitive, time. What on earth was I thinking striving
blank and I’ve mainly with myself. I can’t help it. And please for those A’s?
probably had believe me, I do not enjoy it. I am a perfectionist
those thoughts and it drives me nuts. I find myself wishing I
about it. I start could just let go and be “good enough” while We spend so much time
my 6th quarter still enjoying other activities. learning what we are
Monday, in supposed to know that we
what is supposed to be a 3-year program - less I start every quarter with the same intention:
than that for me because of transfer credits. go to the gym regularly, eat right, participate in lose sight of what made us
So, I’m probably about half way through my activities outside school, stay balanced. I hang passionate about design in
program, give or take a few classes. I’m very on until midterm and then all hell breaks loose. the first place.
close to achieving my goal of a second career My drive for perfection at school causes me
(Okay, fine...I’ve been around the block a time to lose all control and perspective in all other I was doing the best I can, which I guess, earned
or two, but this is my second degree). aspects of my life. I seem to be able to focus on me those grades. But I’d really like to break the
school only and my head is down, with blinders streak. No one believes me though. I truly hate
on, until I can ultimately proclaim another it when people tell me I love getting A’s and
“I should be excited instead quarter is over and I am that much closer to winning. I’d be happy with less. I swear.
graduation. And guess what? I’m excited about
of feeling an imminent sense those grades for about a day and then I start If you could sit with me for the third day in a
of dread. What is wrong with telling myself I didn’t really earn them and that row in my pajamas, without a shower, manic
me? I’m terrified.” I could have worked harder. about getting something just right, you might
begin to understand how this plagues me.
But I’m still terrified. The foundational courses
are behind me and now it’s time to prove I want to be different. I want to enjoy what I
Yes, I am scared of what awaits me at the end myself in the studio classes. I have to show my am doing and stop competing with myself and
of this journey, and boy has it been a long one. instructors what I can do and I feel stuck in the just have fun. I want to stop worrying about
It might be two or so years of education, but mud. What if I fail? I always thought I had a others approving of or liking my work. I want
I’ve struggled for nearly twenty years to figure flair for this...until I started school. We spend to be who I know I can be: someone who
out what I want to be when I grow up. Now so much time learning what we are supposed strikes out on her own, makes great decisions
it’s finally (almost) here and I don’t know what to know that we lose sight of what made us and doesn’t look back.
to do with myself. What will I do once I’m no passionate about design in the first place.
longer searching? I will have to prove myself She’s somewhere inside of me. I’ve met her
now that I have claimed, “this is what I want to Now because I know things like color theory, before and I’d sure like her to come out and
do.” Gulp. Maybe I should have just kept my I wonder if my color choices, which were play. In the meantime, I’ll start school on
big mouth shut. I know...I know. always at a gut level before, are good. I always Monday and hope the cycle doesn’t repeat itself.
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So, where did you get the idea for the faces?
I was at a bookstore one night and I found “365: A Daily Creativity Journal”. I read about all
these creative people and the projects they did through a year and I decided I wanted to do
one too. I had no idea what I wanted to do until New Years Eve and “A Face a Day” popped in
my mind and it was perfect.
What made you decide on the Art Institute for your education?
I chose the Art Institute because right when I got in contact with the school to see if it was
right for me, I was told that the focus was to help me be prepared for a creative career. That
is exactly what I wanted, and the school has been great with providing me with the things I
think that I need to be a success in my program as well as in my future. I also wanted to attend
the Art Institute here in Seattle because I think this is such an amazing, eclectic city with so
many opportunities and is a great source of inspiration.
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