APOLLO
The penultimate year I spent at VT, I was able to participate in the two-semester long projects and subsequently their presentations to the public. I originally intended to share an animation, but felt that wouldn't best represent my learning experiences at school.
I decided to broaden the scope, and my professors allowed me to incorporate elements from all across my time there. Everything from digital illustrations to my studio efforts in sculpture and charcoal.
Entering the exhibit, you are greeted by the poster-sized book cover of the first novel I have planned in my series. On the left is a portrait I did of Jay and the duality of his family's responsibilities. On the right are the portrait, background and prologue from the perspective of my god of time.
Following clockwise, my project's focus is brought into view.
"Detective" board
I wanted to pay tribute to the ways mysteries come together, as this world has been my own mystery to unravel. While everything above is from my time at Tech, there is one charcoal I left on the wall as a reminder--this charcoal was made in high school, and represents the beginnings of what I've built over the years.
This includes a map of the world, a path of the plot, and a plethora of character info spanning hundreds of characters. There were multiple sketchbooks, quite a few manilla folders, and a main character binder that visitors were free to flip through.
I hoped to draw my audience into the creative process, because that is what has been so important to me. The more involved you feel, the more the experience becomes. It's what has fed into the Your Super project and pushed these stories along for more than a decade.
The main character of the first series I have planned has more info on him in the My Superheroes tab in WORKS.
Moving from the desk to the corner, you'll see Jay and his doppelgänger, the 24x36 print of my first novel's book cover, and then my god of time: Bernerd
NEESI'S GATE
This was a project in sculpture where we were able to create whatever we desired out of foam, so I decided to manifest the gateway to my 'other world'. The text illuminated (which reads: "MAN TO GOD" in my alphabet) was done through the connection of a momentary switch and LEDs beneath a frosted piece of plexiglass. Once I had everything squared away, I covered the piece in a cement mix.
BERNERD, PHOE(NIX), & APOLLO
These were the examples of my classic training I chose to display, from graphite to conté charcoal to B&W charcoal with blue pastels. The image of Apollo was actually created in high school but has a special place in my heart as motivation to push these characters forward.
And a blue hoodie to round it out...
It's an essential part to my main character Jay's identity, and a subtle nod allowed me to break down the walls between my character and I.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped me get here.