Meanwhile, Back At The Quad

______I told you darling little sea slugs a long while back about that most splenderrific opportunity that my supercalifragilisticexpialidocious of a professor got me at the beginning of the Spring semester, the opportunity where I could illustrate something for the Department of Religious Studies at my university (and get paaaaaaaaid) (insert sparkly saucer eyes.)

______During one of the final weekly meetings with the man who heads the department, he asked me how things were coming along. I told him in all honesty that it was much more work than I had expected, though still very enjoyable! He proceeded to ask how much I thought the project was worth now, and I thought about it for a second and told him. He took a minute to think with a deep, "Hmmmm," then casually tossed out a number larger than the one I did; you can imagine my heart pounced in my chest like a leaping grasshopper on stimulant drugs, 'cause it did.

______I tried to stay cool as a frozen cucumber but it might not have worked. It probably didn't work. I'm just not cool. I melted. Melty cucumber Ali Hval.



______This was my first time being paid for something art related that wasn't snapping scenic family portraits or taking a series of photos of my neighbors' kids for senior yearbook pages. The idea is that opposed to a newsletter blatantly stating the department's current happenings, there are two students walking around discussing what's going on, like some omniscient mind-reading students that lurk in the shadows of the department. Thus, it may make no sense to all of you guys. 1,000 copies of this have been printed and sent out, which is shocking and exciting!





______This newsletter led to what is now my art job this summer, which is curating a hearty set of comics based on happenings within the department and critical thinking problems. Plus, all the professors have not-so-sneaky superhero disguises; it's fantastic seeing professors who have written complex books and articles get pumped over thinking what their disguise should be: a Zorro mask? A bandana? A tiny cowboy hat and cape? People rock, guys.

______I can't post the actual comics I'm currently illustrating until their department blog has them live, but a sneak peak of the all the professors' secret lair wouldn't hurt. How about that coffee maker as a centerpiece?