It’s been about 9 days since my birthday!
Actually it’s turning out to be more of a birthday month, and part of those celebrations was attending the CANSCAIP PACKAGING YOUR IMAGINATION WORKSHOP.
I always enjoy attending this as it’s on the University of Toronto’s Victoria College Campus. This college is an old Victorian Gothic structure covered in ivy where the quadrangle is graced by a huge oak tree as old as the college itself. It has several distinguished alumni including the world renowned NORTHROP FRYE. Part of my ritual when I attend this workshop is to take my morning coffee under his portrait.
It’s not so much that I hope that his literary and creative merits will rub off on me-but, that would be nice- rather I meditate I what I want to accomplish on this day and for the future.
Speaking of merit, Meritocracy is an ideal our society clings to and while it is a noble ideal, it doesn’t necessarily mean the most talented, deserving people will gain fame and fortune. I’ve found that the best strategy is comprised of really hard work, passion, patience, and perseverance!
That’s certainly what the speakers at the workshop indicated. It was refreshing to hear about the frustrations, and walls they run into and continue to. That’s right, you never really live happily ever after, you take your lumps as well. I believe though, that’s what makes it interesting.
“But the pain that break me, is the pain that make me,
And the pain that take me, is the pain that help me maintain
Live ting in the frame-y’know
We’re straight kickin’ the bane-it go!”
-Roots Manuva, “Again and Again.”
The two that struck the most resonant notes were JEREMY TANKARD and HEATHER COLLINS
Both have enjoyed success, and their share of frustration. To be fair, Heather has encountered more as she’s been in the business longer than Jeremy. Nevertheless, her perseverance has reaped rewards for her. Perhaps the most frustrating challenge for an illustrator is to be pigeonholed. I know of one illustrator who looks for work in Europe as he has found that art directors there are least likely to assume you can only do one style. Regardless of this, it is a credit to both Heather and Jeremy that they have found ways to succeed regardless the art director’s dictates. It’s an inspiration, not to mention very cool that I got to talk shop with them!
The closing keynote was delivered KENNETH OPPEL best known for SILVERWING and probably the most engaging story ever told about bats.
It has spawned several “sequels,” and even enjoyed a run as an animated series. This again was a refreshing speech as Oppel chose to yuk it up a bit and also to let us know about his obstacles and his short comings, one in which Oppel discovered that he has no talent for scriptwriting even after the success of Silverwing!
I enjoyed this immensely as I’m used to grabbing a nap at afternoon keynotes.
Not this time! I find myself recharged and ready kick out my own rhyme n’ reasons out there!
