Wednesday, April 04, 2012

I just received a letter that I wish I could share with my seventeen-year-old self




Man, to be able to travel back in time and share this news with seventeen-year-old me. I remember it so clearly, coming home after school that day in the spring of 1995. It was my senior year and I had all of my hopes and dreams hinged on an acceptance letter form Rhode Island School of Design. Hence, it didn't come. Waiting for me on the kitchen table was a slim envelope with the RISD logo emblazoned on it. It wasn't the welcome packet I anticipated, but the rejection letter I had feared.


After spending my freshman year at the Hartford Art School, I reapplied and transferred in to RISD as a sophomore. I earned my B.F.A. in Illustration and was proud.


Recently, another small envelope from RISD arrived on my doorstep. This one, an invitation to display my work in an upcoming show. And it bowled me over. I'll be a part of an exhibit entitled, RISD ICONS: A Legacy of Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design. I'll be featured alongside other alums, like Chris Van Allsburg, David Macaulay and Shepard Fairey. The show opens on Wednesday June 13th from 6-8pm at RISD’s Woods Gerry Gallery. 


Needless to say, I am flabbergasted.

3 comments:

Jeannie B. said...

Wow wow wow wowowowowowowow! Congratulations!

Lisa Yee said...

Love that you have both letters, and that you didn't give up on your dream.

S.Collins said...

this is wonderful, follow your dream, stuff-love it, happy for you, both from me as a Children's Librarian and as I share it with children, teens, at work and in my home as a Mom.