#square carousel

A big thank you to all the amazing people who supported S.C. throughout the past decade! Whether you’re a former member, a guest artist who contributed, or just someone who’s liked our work, it’s meant the world to us.

This will be the last post here, on our main site, but you should definitely keep an eye on our  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for any/ all updates regarding our members.

All our love and thanks,

Challenge 144: 10 Years, Looking Forward: See You Later Alligator, In Awhile Crocodile

I have to say I never really liked goodbyes. Goodbyes always felt very solemn to an end, a question on whether there would be a return or not. With that idealization of goodbye, I find myself using instead “see you later”; giving instead an impression of I might not see you today, but later on. With this comes a lovely humorous play with the saying, a beloved allegory of "See you later Alligator, in awhile Crocodile". Regardless goodbye and see you later, present themselves as that of stepping stones to move us forward and leave our past behind us. Whether that might mean they come back or not, they shape us into the people we are and the path we are on for our future.

Concerning that of our future, we seem to for the most part think in terms of decades. All grouped up into passage in time, trends that we rather forget, and events we must never forget. A part of life capture in the measly span of just 10 years. A long time that sadly will be here before we know it and pass without the idea that it was even here. Just like thoughts questioner sheets we all receive throughout our childhood. Where do I see myself in 10 years, in 2031?

In all the ideas for the future, I have roughly the same impressions of consistently better-than-now ideals. But reality has its own plan for your life that seems to change things up, even after finish SCAD in 2017. So now whenever asked where do you see yourself in 10 years, I like to have an ever-changing plan, more of a "C’est la vie," mentality. As I like to live my life personality day by day, my plan for the future is for the ability to create the things that are so vividly in my head and share my dreams, my ideas, with others and just continue that cycle. Partially the same as I do nowadays as a freelancer as well as doing artist alley. Only hopefully with others who can spread the love and positivity and vice versa to them as well. As well as continue the love from this group of amazing awesome illustrators and individuals. That has helped me in so many ways build up a confidence that I don’t see in myself sometimes and gives me the drive and energy to push and expand my mind of what I could do and where I can go to. Thank you so much and I can't wait to see you later on and see what awesomeness you all will create.

Challenge 144: 10 Years, Looking Forward: Open for Business

I tend to have a hard time living in the moment. I’m a virgo, very type A, so I’m always trying to plan and think ahead. When I think about the next 10 years, it’s hard not to look back on the past 10. While I haven’t been a part of Square Carousel for the last 10 years, I have certainly been growing and learning as an artist during that time. It was almost 10 years ago that I started my time at SCAD, and it’s strange to think how differently I thought these past 10 years would have gone.

Keeping that in mind, I’m sure my vision for 10 years from now will no doubt change and morph into something different, but I’d be crazy not to acknowledge how much of a better sense of direction I have now than I did when I was just a scared little freshman illustration student.

I’ve spent the past several years more deliberately trying to find my place in the art world. Square Carousel has been a huge catalyst in helping me discover my style and learn how to push myself and have discipline with passion projects. When I started as a Square Carousel member, I was living in an apartment I couldn’t afford, working a job I couldn’t seem to get out of, feeling like I was wasting my potential. Now, I’m newly self employed and pursuing my absolute dream of running my own letterpress stationery shop.

My dream for 10 years from now is to have continued to grow and flourish in my creative endeavors. While the planner in me tries to keep goals realistic, I do have a tendency to dream big, and my big big dream for the next 10 years is to open my own stationery store front. It would be amazing to couple a studio workspace with a retail space, and I hope I can make that happen some day.

This illustration is a sort of gallery wall of hopes and dreams. Some things are more abstract, such as the representation of growth or being able to savor more time with friends and family. Some, on the other hand, are more concrete, like the hopes to starts a family and open a storefront.

I owe this time with Square Carousel so much with regards to my growth and understanding of my place in this creative world. It’s been tough at times, but I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

-SCAD class of 2016 -I am a self employed graphic designer and letterpress stationer -I hope to open my own studio/storefront and further establish my creative endeavors with a solid home base and a growing family!

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! 

Here we are at the end, our final interview! Fittingly, we're capping it off with Elizabeth Beals, the other long standing member who has stuck around since Square Carousel's very beginning. While Elizabeth's signature style has remained instantly recognizable from Challenge 1 through Challenge 143 and counting, her skills have undoubtedly blossomed over the past decade. Today, we're catching up with our resident long haul Square Carousel member, admin, and comics professional, Elizabeth Beals!

Emma Frost

Q: Even though your art style is beautifully consistent, your work still stays fresh with each new challenge. What are the biggest aesthetic changes you notice in your work when you compare your most recent pieces to your graduation portfolio?

A: I haven’t looked at my graduation portfolio in a hot minute, it’s pretty wild seeing how far I have come. I’ve gotten better at compositions/ I’ve leaned into cooler, more saturated palettes/ have a better use of textures/ and I also don’t force myself to create a full bleed illustration if it’s not completely necessary to get the story across.

Elizabeth’s workspace

Q: Has your art making process changed at all during your post college years?

 A: Oh yeah, definitely!

In college I would thumbnail/ flesh out the comp at scale with normal mechanical pencil/ ink with a 005 micron/ erase the under drawing/ scan in the piece/ clean up in Photoshop/ then color until completion. 

Whereas I now thumbnail/ scan in the one I like/ format and print it out at a larger scale (in light blue)/ go back over the print with a blue pencil to refine details/ ‘ink’ it with a extra fine mechanical pencil/ scan it back in/ clean up in photoshop/ and then color until completion. 

And if we want to do an even deeper dive we can look at the ‘Color until Completion’ portion.

In college I would create a top layer, which was always the scan/line art set to multiply, and then I would place the coloring layers beneath it. I was just getting into textures and color holds so they were pretty crude but it was nice that I was still fussing with them.

I currently use the same process as a base but I’ve also started painting on top of the line art (like, A LOT), using overlays, adjustments, effects, and more.

Glitter Hearts

Q: What's been your favorite professional project to work on?

A: Mmmmm, I think this one’s a tie for me, the first one would be my cover run on Star Trek: TNG - Terra Incognita. It was my first cover run and the writers/ editors I got to work with were a complete and total dream. They whipped up some pretty fun concepts and I really got to stretch my art muscles for it. Plus the Ice cream I designed for issue one got worked into the story, so having a cannon ice cream design is pretty dang neat. The second would be my first OGN, Virtually Yours, with writer Jeremy Holt! It’s been a project that we’ve had waiting in the wings since 2015 and got to revamp for ComiXology Originals in 2020. It was the largest project I’ve ever worked on and it was such a tough/ joyous/ and complete learning experience for me. I was glad to have an amazing team of people to work with and you should deff check it out if you haven’t already ;D
  [Link to Virtually Yours on Comixology]

Virtually Yours cover

Q: Any non-art hobbies?

A: Baking / Cooking/ Trying out new recipes! *Chef’s Kiss* Just chilling outside in general/ soaking up some sun ( as a former So. Cal girl I miss the high/ dry heat.) Binge watching trash T.V.

Q: Tea, coffee, or hot chocolate?

A: I love all three dearly but coffee wins, hands down.

Q: What's a career goal you have for the next decade?

A: Pretty broad but I would love to get to a place where I become less dependent on private/ personal commissions and focus more on Comic Covers and Pin-up work. 

She Hulk

Q: Do you have a favorite superhero? A: Short answer, no.
 However, I can provide a short list of some of my faves: Jubilee, Storm, Rogue, Spider-Man, Anya Corazon (Spider-Girl), Spider-Gwen, Mystique, and I’m gunna end it there before I just keep rambling.

Q: What's one thing you wish more people knew about you or your work?

A: One fun thing about me/ my work is that my love of drawing hair came from wanting to create Cammy White (Street Fighter) fan art. With braids as long as her’s you gotta take your time and learn to draw them right! XD

Q: While working, do you prefer to watch tv, movies, listen to music, or sit in silence? Any recommendations for background media?

A: Definitely a TV series or movie, preferably something I’ve already seen (less potential to distract me). I always end up falling back on older shows like Murder She Wrote or Midsomer Murders, basically anything with a long syndication. When I was working on Virtually Yours though I would have HBO’s Gentleman Jack on. It’s a newer series with only one season but it served as a good timer/ work schedule for me.

Star Trek TNG: Terra Incognita (issue 6)

Q: If you could choose one character from the Star Trek universe to befriend, who would it be and why? A: To avoid getting too crazy, I think I’m gunna limit myself to TNG (plus I have the most knowledge of that series) and go with Guinan. She’s wise beyond her years (if you could believe that), funny, empathetic, resourceful, and makes a mean drink! And not to break the 4th wall or anything, but it’s freakin’ Whoopi Goldberg!!! ;D

Elizabeth herself

Q: Excellent choice! Anything else you would like the readers to know?

A: Just that y’all are fantastic and we appreciate all the love and support you’ve shown us over that last 10 years! Thanks for letting us go out on a high note!

P.S. Stay safe. Stay healthy. And get vaccinated <3

Well folks, we're nearly at the end of our Square Carousel journey, and there are just two interviews left – both with two of our longest-standing members! Today, we reconnect with Caitlin Alexander, who has been with the Square Carousel Collective from its very beginning almost 10 years ago. Although we've featured an interview with her here in the past, it's been so long that we are due for an update! When she's not freelancing or performing her duties as an SC admin extraordinaire, Caitlin works tirelessly on her craft, creating prints, products, hand lettered posters, and artwork that embrace the earthy beauty of nature. With a strong focus on environmentalism and a sense of community, her artwork exudes a warmth and complexity that draws the viewer in and invites them to stay a while. Read on for her gems of wisdom!

Make Earth Cool Again

Q: Comparing your early work from your first few years after college to your most recent pieces, you've kept a lot of the textural, playful essence of your style while refining certain elements. Has your process changed much since those early days, and if so, what do you now do differently? 

 A: Such a great question straight out of the gate! My process has changed quite a bit since I graduated in 2011 (almost a decade ago... yikes!). In college, part of my crafted identity as a brand-new illustrator was my traditional use of gouache paint. I actually, in all honestly, was kind of a snob about it, because so many people in our department worked solely digitally. I felt that digital painting was a crutch, which I suppose can be true in some cases, and possibly even more-so when you're applying that to college students, but I certainly had no ground to stand on. In reality, my snobbery kept me from learning critical tools, as I never took Photoshop or Illustrator classes, aside from the one that was required for graduation. This hindered my work a great deal outside of college, given that illustration is so often paired with graphic design, and editing work for clients was so much more difficult traditionally. In 2013, I got a job designing t-shirts, and lied to the company, saying I knew how to use Illustrator. Luckily it was remote, so I was able to teach myself without anyone hovering over me, but that was so foolish, looking back, given the expensive education I got at SCAD should have been my opportunity to learn those things. I introduced digital work more and more over the years, and by 2016 or so, I was primarily a digital artist. Gouache will always have a place in my heart, and I will still break out the tubes occasionally, but working digitally has allowed me to grow so much more as an illustrator, with the ability to edit, paint with more detail, and having more control over color and layering. 

Q: Of all the projects you've done in your professional career, which would you say is closest to your heart? 

 A: Probably the picture book I worked on a couple of years ago, titled "Cool For You." I had a lot of creative freedom for that project, and the subject matter of climate change is personally very important to me. Working with the author, Marianna, was really wonderful, as well. 

Cool For You book cover

Q: The Southwest influence on your work is pretty significant, and I think it's safe to assume you appreciate the majesty of the landscape in your region of the country. However, if you had to live in another state, which would you choose and why? 

 A: Funny you ask that, because I've actually considered moving from Texas to Colorado lately! The culture there is still very western, but I appreciate the liberal point of view (Texas has been grating on me lately, even living in Austin), and the landscape is even more stunning out there! I'd be close to so many inspiring National Parks. Plus, summers wouldn't be 8 months of the year and over 100 degrees for half of it! 

Travel West postcard (1 of 6)

Q: TV shows or movies? 

 A: Lately, Jordan and I have been watching New Girl on repeat. I'm not usually one to watch a show or movie over and over again, but I think we really just needed something light and fun, since life has been so very stressful over the last year.

Q: What's your favorite subject to draw? 

 A: This one is hard! I'm torn between people and landscapes. People are more fun and comfortable for me, and I could knock out a bunch of them quickly. Landscapes are always intimidating, and I'm nervous the whole time, feeling like I can't remember how I did it the time before. It's so strange, because it always ends up fine! But since I feel that way, the payoff is so much greater when I feel satisfied with the final result. 

Q: What would a perfect day look like for you? A: I probably would have answered this totally differently pre-COVID, but in this current world we live in, I would absolutely love to have what used to be a normal, uneventful weekend day for me: Jordan and I would sleep in a little, see an early afternoon movie at the Alamo Drafthouse where we'd eat lunch, then spend the rest of the afternoon browsing used book stores and estate sales, and then meet our friends at the neighborhood coffeehouse for dinner and Trivia Night. I will be so happy to have that again. 

Cover art for East Side Magazine

Book Lover Ladies series- The Book Clubbers

Q: What have you learned from your years at Square Carousel, whether organizing behind the scenes or as a contributor? 

 A: Oooof!! So SO many things! Wow... well, I'll go with the most obvious first: as a member, I learned how to continue to make portfolio-worthy work, even without jobs coming in. That was definitely the most valuable thing about Square Carousel, in my opinion, and hopefully what everyone else got out of it, as well. It can be so hard for fresh graduates to keep up that momentum, and the group saved many of us from becoming stagnant. In terms of running the group... it's been rewarding, but honestly very difficult throughout the years. There have been many ups and downs, and finding the right balance between structure and patience can be extremely challenging. I'm super proud of Elizabeth and myself (OG members!) for keeping it running through the messes-- we've been through some shit together! My major takeaway is the importance of diligence. Projects, businesses, organizations-- they all need at least a couple of people who just keep chugging along, always maintaining the structure (schedule and accountability) and balance (rules and lighthearted encouragement). 

Moth magnets

Q: As the readers are aware, Square Carousel drawing to a close soon. Do you have any plans for what you'll do with the extra time you'll have after our tri-weekly challenges end? 

 A: You know, I actually haven't thought about this too much yet. It's probably because I'll just fill it with more self-imposed projects and deadlines, since I was able to bring that skill I learned in Square Carousel into the rest of my career a while ago. (Or more real jobs! That would be ideal!) I'll miss the community though, and hope to find a way to keep that aspect of freelance life alive. Instagram friends, anyone? 

Q: What's your quirkiest habit? 

 A: Jordan told me recently that he found it weird and endearing that I joke-sing to my cats in the kitchen about really stupid stuff... so probably that! Official Cat Lady© status achieved.

Caitlin and Buster Keaton the Kitten

Q: What advice would you give to a newbie illustrator just starting out today? 

 A: I'd give them the hard advice that our professors didn't really give us in school: there is no way this is going to work out for you if you're not incredibly committed to pursuing it. Now, don't get me wrong-- I'm not telling anyone to have an unhealthy work/life balance because I think that's a toxic sentiment. But you have to keep illustrating and illustrating and illustrating, and arguably more importantly, keep networking and networking and networking. You're going to be rejected or ghosted more often than not, but if you really want it to work out, you're going to keep doing it anyway. And taking critiques if industry folks offer them, to grow and become better. Don't become stagnant in those critical building years.

Caitlin’s studio

Q: Anything else you would like the readers to know? 

A: Yes – thank you so much for supporting Square Carousel through our amazing ten years of challenges! We really appreciate everyone who has kept up with us, checking out the illustrations for each prompt and reading our posts and interviews. Y'all are wonderful, and we hope you'll continue to find us, wherever each of us fly from here! And on that sweet note, we say goodbye for now! Check out Caitlin’s website for more, and follow her on Instagram for new art when it drops.

We have some important news here at Square Carousel. This spring marks the ten-year anniversary of our group, which was organized by Josh Heinsz as the Savannah College of Art and Design class of 2011 prepared to graduate. Over these ten years, we've completed 143 challenges, enjoyed 38 unique artists, written 32 artist interviews and had countless growing experiences. Elizabeth and Caitlin are our two remaining original members, but many folks have stayed with the group for years. We've watched our friends become more confident artists, get exciting opportunities, make career shifts, and go through personal life changes. It's been a wonderful ride! 

The Square Carousel admins decided last year that the decade mark would be a good point to conclude the journey, although bitter-sweet. Particularly for those of us who have been organizing and running the group for ten years, it's a commitment that belongs in a certain season of our lives as artists. Now that the season of Square Carousel is coming to a close, we are celebrating the future of these talented artists and what their careers hold for the future. We hope Square Carousel has brought stability and motivation to all of those who have participated over the years, and are so grateful to everyone who has joined us, from members, to guests, to co-collaborators. 

We'll be wrapping up the journey with a final "goodbye" challenge, where we've invited any and all willing former members to join us one final time. Thanks to everyone who has continued to follow our work and this website. We appreciate you so much!

❤️

Challenge 143: Lucky Charms: Rabbit Foot

I find that there is an interesting origin of what the “rabbit foot, ” installs in the way of luck. From the idealized reproductive fertility quality that is commonly known amongst rabbits. To an idea of closeness to spirituality and even a notion of a connection to the gods. However the methods for the “rabbit's foot, ” to be luck are a little more intriguing, needing to be in certain places, during exact times, and under the right circumstance. In the end, it's fascinating that a part of an animal‘s body can in someway bring said luck.