Stay Weird!

Some wise words from SAW Instructor, Jess Ruliffson, on just MAKING THE WORK and not worrying about the rest. Read on to see what she means:

“I think there is an American city that uses this as its slogan, no? Keep Austin Weird?

Anyway, I was commenting on Susannah Strong (she/her)'s great work this week and remembered Chauvin Sculpture Garden (who am I kidding, I think about it all the time). I went there before Katrina (and as far as I can tell, its still there, though likely battered from Ida recently.) Maybe it was the can of beer I drank while walking around, but I was moved to weeping, felt awe when I saw the lighthouse this man made.

The sculpture park is made on private property (I think it belongs to the city, or a trust or organization now) but at the time of its construction it was just a piece of land in a suburban kind of area that this man made with Quikrete and the odds and ends of building materials. He slept in a tent and built it with his hands, painted it, poured every moment and every modest dollar he earned making it. And then he walked off into the sunset and noone heard of him again. More about Kenny Hill, the artist, here.

It's a genuinely spooky but beautiful place. My point being, don't worry about being a weirdo, or if anyone is gonna 'get it', just make the work. But don't wander off into the dark alone, let's talk about your work here and think about the big lifting you are doing!”

-Jess Ruliffson

I WANT TO MAKE AND READ MORE COMICS!

Do you have a story inside you that’s just itching to come out, but want some guidance to help push it out?

Learn more about intensive comics learning with teachers at SAW by checking out SAW’s Year-Long Intensive Program and our Six-Month Graphic Novel Intensive.

Be sure to also check out our Online Courses, since some courses are offered year-round and are always enrolling!

Our Graphic Memoir Intensive runs year round and is always enrolling.  It includes access to a vibrant working community, twice-monthly live online check-ins, weekly prompts, and access to SAW’s Monthly Pro Calls!

Our Comics Flow Group, or SAW FLOW MEMBERSHIP, is also year-round and always enrolling and is SAW's MOST AFFORDABLE course option with access to Monthly Pro-Calls!

And, of course, come see what we’re all up to on SAW's Mighty Network anytime!