Thursday 25 September 2014

Stokes first ever Comic Con

Stoke Con
Staffordshire University



Stokes first ever comic convention is happening and where.... right her at Staffordshire University in the LRV (Leek Road Venue)
Who would have thought that 3 years after the creation of the Cartoon & Comic Arts award that this would be happening on our doorsteps. A big hand is deserved for the organising team from Six Towns Radio who have pulled out all teh plugs to make sure taht the event is Big, Bright and Bold!

The award has several tables at eth event as recruitment, sales and also the legendary John Charles and Jason Brindley are drawing people for a small outlay of money. Absolutely important for an event to have these characters on board. 

The guset list is impressive from 

Craig Charles 


Norman Lovett 

Colin Baker

Nicola Bryant










I'm going to try and keep blogging all the way through the event with images of the Students and stars as they appear and the workshops we will be running



Tuesday 16 September 2014

New Start of Year 2014

The Cartoon Studio 2014We made it!


It is with great pride that I write. A new start of the academic year, what appears to be a great cohort and a brilliant studio. There is a few people I'd like to thank at the start from this piece, and they include the FACT Management, including Astrid and Mark Garner and Fin Dineen for their faith and support. The Technicians lead by the Fearless Harry Porter have poured sweat and tears into the moving of the equipment and supplying new stuff. For Gareth for his painting skills! and the students, Will Vaughan and Kieran Hayes who did so much for the mural. But a special thanks has to go to Becci Such my PA is waiting, DIY, Painter, Wall paper-er and artist for giving up so much of her summer along with her boyfriend Liam. I am in their debt!

Here is a brief history in images of the birth of the cartoon and comic arts area at Staffordshire University

The Start - What we inherited 



 as you can see from the outset we were up against it with the amount of stuff that had been left behind by the Fine Art team. 





So from this position we had to start to clear the area so we could get in there, clean it and start to decorate it. Unfortunately some of the new equipment arrived so it caused a bit of a bottle neck getting the old stuff out and our stuff in.



 The reduction of Fine Art stuff made the area look a lot better, but there was still a lot of work. The are had basically bee left to fall into ruin, and probably hadst been cleaned out for many a year.

It was going to be a tough job, and with the introduction of a new server the area had to be abandoned for a month while work was being completed.

An when we got back we found this stuck in the middle of a perfectly good teaching area!!

With everything cleared out, the area took a lick of paint well.

 Above is a before and after of the same place.
Table Build






Journalism donate their old desks to Cartoon & Comic Arts. Thanks



 A Finished Room for 1st Year Students


 The painting of the stair well


Becci Such and John Charles drawing together

Adding a little bit of humour to the room


 John Charles (MarvelUK & 2000AD) Will Vaughan cartoon student



Becci Painting




 From top of the stairs down wards, Becci Such, Kieran Hayes and William Vaughan





Becci Tries her hand at wall papering, under the watchful eye of Liam 


TA DA! the finished thing, and it is still hanging.


Saturday 6 September 2014

Things to come from September 2014

I thought I'd better post some thing to say how busy we will be over the next few weeks. But we will be out and about so come and see us.

Monday 15th September - induction week - new students, new studio.
Wednesday 17th September - The Glebe for the induction quiz. Pop along after 4pm for a beer and a chat
Saturday  20th September - Open day. Recruitment  for 2015... yes we do start that early.

Sunday 28th September - Stoke Con, Leek Road. We'll have a stall selling student work  (as well as students selling their own work independently!) John Charles (MarvelUK, Power Rangers) and Jason Brindley (2000AD- Death Comes to Dillinger) 2 lecturers and comic artists will be available to draw you for a small fee. There will also be a design your own comic strip area in the Brindley.

Saturday 4th October - 24 hour comic challenge. This year taking place in the Cadman Court yard area, along College Road.

Thursday 23rd - Sunday 26th October 1st years trip to London and MCM

So there is quiet a few things planned.
Phew !