My sophomore year in college, I committed to enter the design program. My focus was on graphic design. I met some outstanding people in this program, people who shaped my life, and helped to develop my creativity. Our college had a third floor studio space for students who were allowed into the BFA program. I entered the program provisionally, after my second year in design. There was not enough room for provisional students in the school studio. So I joined several illustrator and graphic design friends in renting houses, where we were able to set up our easels and drafting tables. There were three different houses which we rented across town. Each house had a personality. In the first house, my drafting table was on the staircase landing. Then, I moved down to the distractionless kitchen. In the next house, I was in the living room. Finally, I ended up on the sunporch of the last house.
As more students graduated from the program, I was able to secure a space in the school design studio for my final year. The only people in the school studio at night, were the illustrators working with oil paint. Because of the slow drying rate, they had to paint every night on their projects. Although I was a graphic designer, I worked every night, too. My cubicle mate, never came in, until the night before a project was due, and then she'd pull an all-nighter. I liked her laziness, it allowed me to spread out, and use her drafting table.
Rick got us together for a reunion last night, after 36 years. It was so wonderful to see everyone, and to hear familiar voices. After we all chatted, I signed off, and sat in my living room, reflecting...
Rick: I learned about having an eye for detail from Rick. I learned about the sacredness of objects and ideas. Rick is still a graphic designer. He loves to travel, and to bake. I remember when he grew his own pumpkin at his apartment, in order to make us pumpkin pie. Rick was always a deep thinker. I loved to pass by his desk, and see his work. It was meaningful, and beautiful. He understood typography.
Doug: I learned about beauty from Doug. He was an amazing painter back then, and he still is an amazing painter. I loved to stop by his easel when he was away from the studio. His paintings were tight, but there was a looseness lurking underneath. Many of his assignments in college involved painting people and figures. Now he does plein air paintings, which are gloriously loose. The balance has shifted. He is such a kind, thoughtful person.
Lisa: I learned how to study. Lisa was my roomate in the dorms, and in the houses where we lived. I attended a high school where no one really taught study skills. Watching her take notes, and highlight passages in her college books was a revelation. After trying to read my entire Biology textbook again, the night before the first semester final, I decided that her chapter outlining might be helpful. Lisa was my best friend. During high school, I had a terrible friend, who always treated me badly. She was critical, hurtful, and mean. So, meeting Lisa was a complete change. She seemed to like me for who I was, and wasn't always trying to change me. But, she did actually change me, because she had great taste in clothes, music, and she had a great sense of style.
Jeff: I learned that I was an amateur. Jeff had such great taste. He seemed like he was from another country. His designs were unlike any other work I had seen. Jeff drove an old Volvo, with squeaky brakes. He was handsome, sophisticated, and funny.
Cliff: I learned to laugh a lot. He was funny. Cliff perfected a "central Californian farmer drawl" which was pitch perfect, and made me laugh everytime he used it. Both of our grandparents actually lived in the same tiny farm town. Cliff was talented. You could tell that he would go far in the world of graphic design, and he did. He taught me to love foreign movies. We visited the International Cinema on campus regularly. Cliff also loved to eat good food. There was an Italian restaurant in our college town called, "La Dolce Vita", and we were regular patrons.
Dave: I learned to have a love of all things vintage. Dave had formerly been the drummer in a band called "Near Miss and the Holiday Shoppers". Dave, being from L.A., loved to insert typography from the 50's and 60's into his work. His style was inspirational to me. Also, he put up a big glass door between our desks, so I could see him work. The glass was ribbed, like the door to Sam Spade's office. Dave had a 50's ashtray on his desk, and candy cigarettes. Dave liked Bing Crosby.
Joleen: I learned that a person could express what they felt through graphic design. When I saw her work, I was always impressed. It looked like her. It had her style. I still have one of her silkscreened posters. It is so amazing, that I'm afraid to put it up, and have it fade. It's tucked away in my old portfolio. She kindly signed it for me.
Rob: I learned that designers see things through their own prism. Rob once told me that he was color blind. I was floored. His use of color was inspired. It still is. I was in a color theory class, and saw his work shown as an example. I took a "Religions of the World" class with him. He did spot on impersonations of our teacher. Not sure that either of us learned anything in that class. But, I loved the walks to and from class. He wore love beads, and had a bowl haircut. Rob had a beautiful face. He hummed a lot. He was not like anyone else I knew.
Irene: I learned that paintings can be complicated and intricate. She was such a kind and thoughtful roomate and studio mate. Her paintings were incredible. I remember posing for scrap photos for many of her illustrations. All of her paintings were so complex. There were so many layers of color. There was so much contrast, and texture. I still have many little paintings that she left for me on my drafting table. I treasure them.
Sue: She saved my life. Sue was my roomate and studio mate. I reached a point where I was very low. I was constantly getting hammered during class critiques. My work was awful. I passed up a chance to get married, and felt horrible about ending the relationship. Also, I totalled my mom's car, and was almost killed. Sue came home one day, and found me sobbing alone, in my room. I was broken. She gave me the number of the school's "Comprehensive Clinic". It took me some time to pull out of my tailspin. I loved her work. And, I loved watching her paint. Talking with her was a delight, back then, and now.
Chris: I learned about having a work ethic. Chris was the hardest worker of the studio. He put in the time each night. Our desks were across a narrow aisle from each other. He had a small television that he turned on while he painted. Every night, he would turn up the volume when reruns of "Hawaii 5-0" came on at 11 p.m. He would do a seated hula dance each time, every night. Chris shared a cubicle with his best friend, and fellow illustrator. This friend only did work the night before projects were due. I spent every evening with Chris, and learned that practice really does hone skills.
Caul: I learned what fuels creativity. There was never a time in his presence when I wasn't surprised or delighted. He sparkled. His ancient Fiat would pull up to my house or apartment, and take me on an adventure. I always went with him, without question. He taught me how to take what's percolating inside, and repurpose it into art. Caul was a creative cyclone. He excelled at so many different pastimes. I was able to spend a lot of time with him when he was in his "nighttime photography phase". When he left the state to travel down the Amazon River on a raft for four months, I felt bereft. Once, when I was sad, and cried in front of him, he pressed my face against his cheek, and just absorbed my tears. Having Caul in your life is way better than not having Caul in your life.
