#10 years looking forward

Challenge 144: 10 Years, Looking Forward: Looking ahead

For this challenge I was attempting to obtain an optimistic forward looking perspective as this season ‘life’ of Square Carousel comes to a close.

But every artist and illustrator that has been a part of this collective has inevitably come through this ‘reborn’ and better than before. 

I believe myself to be a little bit of a thinker and I rather enjoy the idea of dueling contrasts. Beginning/ending. Life/death. Happy/sad. Student/master. I just believe these things are incredibly powerful and beautifully signify the human condition. Not necessarily literally but on a deeper level. The level the presumably separates us from other animals on this planet. In our minds. We have the opportunity to make the decisions that directly affect how we pursue each of those contrasting pairs and an endless amount more.

If I wake up tomorrow, I am reborn to a new day. The me of yesterday has presumably died through the slumber and there is a brand new me that gets to live in the here and now. And maybe that is naive and optimistic but I live to think of it as inspired.

Which is where I come around to the real point I believe I am attempting to make, the impact of Square Carousel. 

I dont know what inspired the idea of Square Carousel for Elizabeth and Caitlin but if there is such a thing as karma, they have paid that inspiration and those kinds of ideas forward, tenfold. 

When transitioning this idea from a thought to an action, the idea wasnt to spark unlimited sources of inspiration. In fact, id guess that it was to create inspiration amongst a small group of individuals. But sticking to the road that this idea paved, created compound interest that i feel needs to be put into writing and conveyed to both Elizabeth and Caitlin and anyone other person who may be reading this.

I have decided that there is no possible way I can come up with numbers for my little experiment of how Square Carousel has impacted the world. Better yet, ill let your mind go down this rabbit hole as mine obviously already has.

As I continue to type, I have realized that this will be my long winded way of saying ‘thank you’.

Back to number of people impacted and hopefully in a cliff notes version. Caitlin and Elizabeth have a network of ‘x’ people when starting this venture. As they began following through with this, the 2 of them started learning new things. Ever wonder how it is managing a bunch of artists? Go ahead and reread this long post and see what kind of shit show is going on in my mind. Now multiply that by a handful of artists. So, Caitlin and Elizabeth’s network reaps the benefit of them learning all this knowledge that is doubtfully super fun to go through but when they start taking on all of the artists that will be a part of this collective they then impact all of the artist that they are taking on and those artists network as well. But wait there’s more. as the world wide internet grows along with social media, all of the above continues to be impacted but now everyone involved is growing their network. And as you are growing your network, people continue to be impacted by these initial steps of creating this collective. Now, since these are all artists and are creating work, what about the viewers of the art that has beern directly affected by this? Then what about the people who become impacted by these items and then go on and impact others. Yeah, this gets out of hand quickly… That’s cool… Now multiply that by 10 years. Fucking nuts.

Elizabeth and Caitlin, thank you for letting me be a small part of this impact you have created. I apologize for the pain in the ass I can be, but respect you both so much. I hope that with the time that the both of you are gaining without having to manage this, the next venture is just as fruitful. 

Sayada, obviously you deserve a little individual call out for bringing me on board. Awesome for me but probably regretful for you. Thank you. It sucks that there arent any words that I can come up with fully encompass my appreciation for you and what you have done for me by inviting me to join Square Carousel for the time that I did. Congratulations on your recent Childrens book and I am hoping there is plenty more where that came from. Thank you again.

This is crazy long and will give high fives to all the artists that have been part of this collective during the time I have been on here and I appreciate the feedback and optimism shared with me to get stuff done!

I graduated from SCAD in March 2012.I am currently coming to terms with what I enjoy making and the processes that I enjoy working in and I have been really steering towards making more gallery art and hope to really start reaping the benefits of that soonish. 10 years from now I see myself continuing to draw and paint nonstop while hopefully using it as a pretty big part of my life and continue to use my art to impact others.

-Brett

Challenge 144: 10 Years, Looking Forward: Artist Explores the World

When I first applied to Art colleges around the country I felt like Animation was the more realistic approach to getting a job in the “art” industry. I knew I was an okay small town artist, but felt like my artwork was never good enough to be a full time illustrator. While attending SCAD I couldn’t help but double minor in Sequential Art and Illustration because that’s where my heart was.

After graduating SCAD in 2013 I immediately got a job working in my field of 3D video game development- only to find that I absolutely hated it. By late 2014 I had quit my job to travel the world.

I formed Artist Explores the World LLC and over the last 7 years I have poured my heart and soul into videos, photography, jewelry making, illustration and fine art. Only after taking the leap have I learned that my art is good enough, all on it’s own. 

It’s now my full time job.

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have joined in with this collective so full of very talented people. In many ways, especially as the clock sometimes struck a midnight deadline, I’ve wondered if I even really belonged in such a group. I’ve been genuinely honored to be here. The amount of support and growth I’ve felt as both a guest artist and member has been incredible and I’m so thankful for everyone who built this beautiful project. Thank you <3

As my husband and I get closer to finishing our new Skoolie, and prepare to set sail on the next big phase of our lives, I felt my old logo needed a bit of an update. I started with a fresh logo update (the plane of my old is now a bus <3) and then a portrait of the two of us. I hope to have my kitties and maybe a little one in tow - but who knows what the future will hold. Since there was an extra week on this challenge I also spent time updating the animation on my new logo as well. A fresh intro for my new vlogs. 

In the next 10 years I hope to be even more traveled, even more confident, and more able to help others to achieve their dreams. I’ll still be free, wild, independent and creative all the while running my own company, my way, and with all my heart. 

- Natasha Stoppel

Challenge 144: 10 Years, Looking Forward: In Gardens We Trust

Spring is definitely my favorite season–it always brings me joy to see everything bloom and start afresh. I’m an avid gardener myself and I always look for ways to be more environmentally conscious and sustainable. I’m hoping that in 10 years, everyone on Earth has been working together on building a more sustainable future for us all.

On a separate note, I absolutely cannot believe it’s been ten years! (which means it’s been ten years since I graduated undergrad–sheesh!) I want to say a heartfelt congrats to all the original members of SC still here–I still remember the day when we all sat together in Gallery Espresso with cut pieces of paper with random words on it to decide on our collective’s name :D You guys did an amazing job keeping the collective going for the past ten years! 

✿ SCAD 2011 

✿ Assistant Professor at Towson University + Children’s Book Illustrator

✿ I imagine I’ll be doing the same thing I’m doing right now, but with more expertise and wisdom (hopefully)^-^ 

-Seo Kim

Check out my work: Website |Instagram

Challenge 144: 10 Years, Looking Forward: Coffee Breaks

I wanted to depict a calm moment, where we’re both happy, healthy, safe, and just better versions of our current selves. I’d like to think I’ll get better at giving myself time off and not feeling guilty for it. That we won’t have to schedule time to hang out because I’ve convinced myself I need to work every moment of every day. Here’s to hoping in 10 years, I’ll have perfected my work/ life balance.

In general, I’m pretty sure my partner Greg (They/Them) will have better hair and make-up skills then I ever will! 

Speaking of hair, at the rate I’m greying, there’s no way I won’t be a silver fox by then (Finally achieving my hair goals without the assistance of bleach) ;D

———————-

♡ Graduated from SCAD in 2011.

♡ I’m currently freelance: Mainly working on private commissions, followed by comic covers, and comic pin-ups.

♡ I’m hopeful that in ten years time that my current situation will flip. That the majority of my freelance work will be covers/ pin-ups, with just a few private pieces here and there. OH, and that I’ll have about 20 cats XD

———————-

It’s not lost on me how incredibly lucky I am to have had Square Carousel in my life these past 10 years. It’s allowed me to grow as a person and as an artist. Pushing me to illustrate things that weren’t necessarily in my wheel house and broadening my visual language. I had to take a few work related breaks through out the years, but I always looked forward to the day I got to jump back in and get to work with my fellow members/friends.

As silly as it sounds I don’t really think I can properly articulate how much love and admiration I have for my fellow members (especially the admins/ ESPECIALLY Caitlin). They’ve been a rock in my life when I needed it the most (whether they know it or not). ♡

Lastly, a big thank you to all the people who supported S.C. through out the past 10 years! Whether you’re a former member, an amazing guest artist who contributed, or just someone who’s liked our work, it has meant the world to us! 

Elizabeth B.

Challenge 144: 10 Years, Looking Forward: Sunset Vista

In ten years I want to be very well traveled, so for my piece I wanted to do a beautiful view of a seaside town in a foreign country with a glass of wine and my sketchbook in the foreground.  I’ve struggled with my relationship to art and illustration ever since graduation, and since leaving Square Carousel and taking a break to focus on my graphic design career I’ve been slowly dipping my toes back in to the lovely art water.  It turns out the only way for me to make art is to not take it seriously at all.  Otherwise, I paralyze myself with expectations.  Lately I’ve been getting back into painting with acrylics and have been experimenting with using the same super saturated colors I like to use when painting digitally.  Do I need a lot more practice? Yes.  Do I need to draw in my sketchbook more? Yes.  And did I have fun with this piece anyway? Yes!  It’s all about placing fun colors next to each other for me.

- I graduated from SCAD in 2013
- Today I am the Creative Director at a local Austin marketing firm
- In ten years, I hope to be living my cottage core dream life when I’m at home, making stunning visuals at work, and having unforgettable experiences abroad every chance I get.

Thank you so much Square Carousel for all the artistic growth you’ve helped me achieve! Love you guys <3

-Stephanie

insta:@stephaniecraneart

Challenge 144: 10 Years, Looking Forward: Growth

This ended up being a difficult challenge for me, because although in theory I love this theme, in practice I kept coming up against a creative block. With the past year of the pandemic and concerns about climate change very much haunting my thoughts, it was a bit crippling to try and find some positive spin that I know I wanted to do.
Then at some point I remembered a thing I had just done that was a small investment in the future.
My husband and I recently took some time to clear an area of the front yard to plant some native cacti and trees, alongside the wildflower seeds I’ve gathered around the neighborhood and scattered in the past few years. I’m hoping these plants will take off and provide a little sanctuary of sorts for the local wildlife, like rabbits, quail, other birds, lizards, even javelina. This of course will take time, but I hope in 10 years time, even if I’m not still living here, this patch of native wild will be flourishing.
The uncolored sketch is how the yard currently looks- pretty bare except for two prickly pear cacti we planted a few years ago, some wildflowers that I’m so happy sprouted, grew and are in bloom, and some troublesome grass.
The colored drawing is what I hope to see in 10 years.

-I graduated from SCAD in 2012
-I’m currently freelancing as an illustrator! Mostly working on book illustration as of right now.
-What will I be doing in 10 years? I hope I’ll still be illustrating, working on cool books from the big publishers, doing surface design pattern work for products, maybe creating some cool artwork and products of my own? I hope the world gets its act together so that a positive future is still possible for all of us.

On a sentimental note, thanks to everyone at Square Carousel for being such troopers especially this past year! It’s been great being able to collaborate with you all throughout all the challenges we’ve tackled together in our own unique ways. Thanks so much to the other admins, Caitlin, Elizabeth and Jordan for keeping this train a-rollin’, and on its tracks as well pull into our final stop. You guys rock, thanks for bringing me along for this journey <3
And thanks to you, followers for cheering us on!

Wishing us all a wonderful decade ahead!
-Sayada

Challenge 144: 10 Years, Looking Forward: Bright and Shinny Like The California Sun!

I relocated from NY to LA in 2019 and I’m loving it the outdoors, the cactuses, the people and skateboards! This piece is originally created for Airbnb but I feel like it illustrates my current life and the life I look forward to so I’d like to share it with you all! 

✿ SCAD 2012 


✿ Illustrator at Tiktok creating effects while freelancing for fun gigs. 


✿ I love what I do now and hope to continue the journey with passions, sparks and playfulness. For something slightly different and fun, I’d like to start our own lines of products.

 -Julia Yellow 

 See more work here: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Challenge 144: 10 Years, Looking Forward: Growing a Better Future

With all the change that has happened in the last year alone it is pretty difficult to imagine where I will be personally in ten years, let alone describe it in visual form. So I opted to go in a less personal direction with this challenge and design a follow up to the Green New Deal poster I illustrated a couple of years ago for Creative Action Network.

My original poster envisioned a society more in tune with and respectful of the environment, represented by a city growing from a flower. My follow-up image looks forward to show this society as a growing and thriving garden. If we can adopt better environmental policies we too will have a chance to thrive.

I graduated from SCAD in 2013, and again in 2015 with my MFA in Illustration. I am currently freelancing and displaying my art at galleries around my home in North Georgia.

Where will I be in ten years? Like I said, it is hard to imagine at this point, hopefully still freelancing. But I know my art will continue to be a major element of my future due in part to the amazing support and motivation from the awesome people at Square Carousel. In the short time I’ve had the privilege of being a member my work has improved exponentially and I feel I have the momentum to carry what I have learned here with me into whatever the future holds. Thank you guys!

James McInvale
Website
Instagram

squarecarousel:

Challenge 144: 10 Years, Looking Forward: Coffee Breaks

I wanted to depict a calm moment, where we’re both happy, healthy, safe, and just better versions of our current selves. I’d like to think I’ll get better at giving myself time off and not feeling guilty for it. That we won’t have to schedule time to hang out because I’ve convinced myself I need to work every moment of every day. Here’s to hoping in 10 years, I’ll have perfected my work/ life balance.

In general, I’m pretty sure my partner Greg (They/Them) will have better hair and make-up skills then I ever will! 

Speaking of hair, at the rate I’m greying, there’s no way I won’t be a silver fox by then (Finally achieving my hair goals without the assistance of bleach) ;D

———————-

♡ Graduated from SCAD in 2011.

♡ I’m currently freelance: Mainly working on private commissions, followed by comic covers, and comic pin-ups.

♡ I’m hopeful that in ten years time that my current situation will flip. That the majority of my freelance work will be covers/ pin-ups, with just a few private pieces here and there. OH, and that I’ll have about 20 cats XD

———————-

It’s not lost on me how incredibly lucky I am to have had Square Carousel in my life these past 10 years. It’s allowed me to grow as a person and as an artist. Pushing me to illustrate things that weren’t necessarily in my wheel house and broadening my visual language. I had to take a few work related breaks through out the years, but I always looked forward to the day I got to jump back in and get to work with my fellow members/friends.

As silly as it sounds I don’t really think I can properly articulate how much love and admiration I have for my fellow members (especially the admins/ ESPECIALLY Caitlin). They’ve been a rock in my life when I needed it the most (whether they know it or not). ♡

Lastly, a big thank you to all the people who supported S.C. through out the past 10 years! Whether you’re a former member, an amazing guest artist who contributed, or just someone who’s liked our work, it has meant the world to us! 

Elizabeth B.