DnA Artists
Artists & Friends
Alex's Summer Class Recap
Author: Alex
Date: 09/08/25
Tags:
#Behind the Scenes
This summer, I (Alex) had the privilege to take a Comics class at SAIC called “comics summer residency.” Basically I took 3 weeks off work and cosplayed as a full-time comic artist 😎
Photo of Alex’s studio.
This was on the heels of finishing my spring class, Writing for Graphic Novels, with the reigning Queen of Horror at SAIC, Beth Hetland - which was AMAZING. I used this residency to continue that work (without directly working on that story…) My graphic novel script is about a girl who turns into a deer, but I haven’t decided on the final visual form I want it to take. During this pseudo-residency, I worked on a DIFFERENT story with magical realism and deers to start sorting that out lol.
Photo of inked pages on Alex’s studio wall.
Cue: Doe, a 12-page, hand-drawn horror comic (that eventually will be watercolored). The final comic wouldn’t have been possible without mentorship from each co-instructor: Beth, Jeremy Tinder, and Madeleine Aguilar. All three are INCREDIBLE artists, but more importantly they are incredibly kind people ✨ Go follow them immediately!! Each instructor gave me a new perspective or something to chew on as I developed this comic, and it truly wouldn’t be what it is without each of them.
Photo of Alex’s studio wall.
But the other great part about this residency was a reunion of students from my Writing for Graphic Novels Class. Our “Long-form Divas cohort” provided support, camaraderie, and creative energy I sorely needed. Everyone should follow Gren and Kristen’s comic shenanigans!! Both of their works are funny, reflective, and sincere - but with completely different vibes. I LOVE IT ALL. I also felt so honored to see the development of other students’ works in the class. I didn’t know most of them before, but saw VERY cool work that reminded me why I love working with SAIC students so dang much.
Photo of Doe comics.
TLDR: This class was the best vacation ever with the best humans I could have hoped for!