Sam Hester - Literary Resume 2016
My work jumps across a few different media. But it’s always about celebrating local stories.
COMICS
SELECTED COMICS PUBLICATIONS
2016 Invited to create a 5-page comic to be included in “WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? THE YOUNG CANADIANS, a special issue of the
Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics,” (forthcoming 2018)
Edited by Andrew Lesk (University of Toronto) and Barbara Postema (Concordia University)
Consulting editor, Bart Beaty (University of Calgary)
2016 “My Dog,” two-page B&W comic (written in 2006) accepted for publication in the Prairie Comics Zine, forthcoming at
Winnipeg’s inaugural Prairie Comics Festival, May 2017. Edited by Hope Nicholson
2012-16 Various comics for the Calgary and Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expos, including “A Calgary Expo Alphabet,”
commissioned for the Calgary Expo’s 2013 Program (ink and pencil crayon, 2 pp), and my 2016 piece about post-partum
depression
2015 “A Graphic Tale of One Man’s Life,” one-page B&W strip for Calgary comic creator Damian Willcox’s anthology
“dorkboy: 1995-2015 - two dorkades and counting”
2013 “Work & Life,” one-page B&W strip for Work/Life 3, UPPERCASE Directory of Illustration
2004 “My Hair,” story for Calgary magazine “Bemused,” Edited by Jocelyn Grosse (B&W, 2 pp)
2003 “Planet Waves,” story for the comics anthology “Project: Telstar,” Adhouse Books, Richmond, VA. Edited by Chris Pitzer.
Pen and ink with ink wash and metallic blue highlights, 7 pp
- “Project: Telstar” was nominated for “Harvey” and “Eisner” awards, Best Anthology and Best Production Design
- My story ("Planet Waves") was reprinted in Italian for the online comics magazine “Duepunti,” along with an interview with
me; Rome, 2006. Edited by Marco Milone.
2003 “Scenes from my Life in Canada following September 11th 2001, an Illustrated Essay,” commissioned for “Canada
and September 11 – Impact and Response”, Detselig Press, Calgary. Editors: Karim-Aly Kassam, George Melnyk &
Lynne Perras. Pen and ink with ink wash, 10 pp
- The anthology is a Canadian Studies textbook. My story was the only comics piece in a book of essays.
2002 “September 11,” story for the comics anthology “9-11: Emergency Relief,” Alternative Comics, Gainesville, FL.
Edited by Jeff Mason. Black and white with ink wash, 6 pp
- “9-11: Emergency Relief” was reviewed in Time Magazine.
- My story was mentioned in several academic reviews of the anthology, and selected to be reprinted for “InClass Reader,
Trek 3,” (part of the Jamestown Reading Navigator Series), McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, Columbus, OH, 2005 and again in 2007.
2016 Invited to create a 5-page comic to be included in “WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? THE YOUNG CANADIANS, a special issue of the
Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics,” (forthcoming 2018)
Edited by Andrew Lesk (University of Toronto) and Barbara Postema (Concordia University)
Consulting editor, Bart Beaty (University of Calgary)
2016 “My Dog,” two-page B&W comic (written in 2006) accepted for publication in the Prairie Comics Zine, forthcoming at
Winnipeg’s inaugural Prairie Comics Festival, May 2017. Edited by Hope Nicholson
2012-16 Various comics for the Calgary and Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expos, including “A Calgary Expo Alphabet,”
commissioned for the Calgary Expo’s 2013 Program (ink and pencil crayon, 2 pp), and my 2016 piece about post-partum
depression
2015 “A Graphic Tale of One Man’s Life,” one-page B&W strip for Calgary comic creator Damian Willcox’s anthology
“dorkboy: 1995-2015 - two dorkades and counting”
2013 “Work & Life,” one-page B&W strip for Work/Life 3, UPPERCASE Directory of Illustration
2004 “My Hair,” story for Calgary magazine “Bemused,” Edited by Jocelyn Grosse (B&W, 2 pp)
2003 “Planet Waves,” story for the comics anthology “Project: Telstar,” Adhouse Books, Richmond, VA. Edited by Chris Pitzer.
Pen and ink with ink wash and metallic blue highlights, 7 pp
- “Project: Telstar” was nominated for “Harvey” and “Eisner” awards, Best Anthology and Best Production Design
- My story ("Planet Waves") was reprinted in Italian for the online comics magazine “Duepunti,” along with an interview with
me; Rome, 2006. Edited by Marco Milone.
2003 “Scenes from my Life in Canada following September 11th 2001, an Illustrated Essay,” commissioned for “Canada
and September 11 – Impact and Response”, Detselig Press, Calgary. Editors: Karim-Aly Kassam, George Melnyk &
Lynne Perras. Pen and ink with ink wash, 10 pp
- The anthology is a Canadian Studies textbook. My story was the only comics piece in a book of essays.
2002 “September 11,” story for the comics anthology “9-11: Emergency Relief,” Alternative Comics, Gainesville, FL.
Edited by Jeff Mason. Black and white with ink wash, 6 pp
- “9-11: Emergency Relief” was reviewed in Time Magazine.
- My story was mentioned in several academic reviews of the anthology, and selected to be reprinted for “InClass Reader,
Trek 3,” (part of the Jamestown Reading Navigator Series), McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, Columbus, OH, 2005 and again in 2007.
SELECTED COMICS: COMMISSIONED WORK
2002-16 Clients who have hired me to create comics/sketchnotes include the City of Calgary, Swerve Magazine, the Calgary Herald,
TEDx Calgary, Calgary Reads, Alberta Electric Systems Operator, Toronto Blues Society, Calgary Arts Development,
the Calgary Stampede, CAMP Festival
- Samples of my current comics work are often posted on my website: www.the23rdstory.com
- Many older comics/visual art projects are on my old portfolio site: www.thedrawingbook.com
2002-16 Clients who have hired me to create comics/sketchnotes include the City of Calgary, Swerve Magazine, the Calgary Herald,
TEDx Calgary, Calgary Reads, Alberta Electric Systems Operator, Toronto Blues Society, Calgary Arts Development,
the Calgary Stampede, CAMP Festival
- Samples of my current comics work are often posted on my website: www.the23rdstory.com
- Many older comics/visual art projects are on my old portfolio site: www.thedrawingbook.com
SELECTED SELF-PUBLISHED COMICS/WEB COMICS
Since 2002, I have self-published several comics, from “mini-comics” to an 80pp volume in colour. I’ve sold comics at conventions and at comics stores in Calgary and Edmonton.
2011-16 New comics posted on my blog at www.the23rdstory.com; occasional mini-comics in print
2010-14 “Sam Hester’s Ramsay” For about five years I’ve been writing a full-page comic for the monthly Ramsay Community
Association Newsletter. The series was inspired by a 2011 poster I drew for the Calgary Herald’s “Project Calgary” series.
“Sam Hester’s Ramsay” is collected by the Calgary Public Library’s Neighbourhood Archives.
2010-14 Alec’s Year Book Series, Parts 1-5 Launched at Calgary Comics Expo; colour cover, B&W guts, 40 pp each. “Alec’s 3rd
& 4th Year Books” (2013) were funded in part through Calgary Arts Development’s “InvestYYC” crowdfunding platform.
InvestYYC projects are selected by Calgary Arts Development based on their “impact, excellence and ability to execute.”
2012 Compiled various print comics to share at Calgary Expo from my many years of (still-mostly-unpublished) sketchbooks
(“The Drawing Book Volume 1,” “The Jumble Pts. 1 & 2,” etc.).
- In 2014, some of these comics were purchased by Calgary Arts Development to be distributed to attendees of the
Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions.
2002-04 “The Drawing Book” web series, six episodes of 20-30 pp each, unpublished anywhere else. The series is still online here.
Since 2002, I have self-published several comics, from “mini-comics” to an 80pp volume in colour. I’ve sold comics at conventions and at comics stores in Calgary and Edmonton.
2011-16 New comics posted on my blog at www.the23rdstory.com; occasional mini-comics in print
2010-14 “Sam Hester’s Ramsay” For about five years I’ve been writing a full-page comic for the monthly Ramsay Community
Association Newsletter. The series was inspired by a 2011 poster I drew for the Calgary Herald’s “Project Calgary” series.
“Sam Hester’s Ramsay” is collected by the Calgary Public Library’s Neighbourhood Archives.
2010-14 Alec’s Year Book Series, Parts 1-5 Launched at Calgary Comics Expo; colour cover, B&W guts, 40 pp each. “Alec’s 3rd
& 4th Year Books” (2013) were funded in part through Calgary Arts Development’s “InvestYYC” crowdfunding platform.
InvestYYC projects are selected by Calgary Arts Development based on their “impact, excellence and ability to execute.”
2012 Compiled various print comics to share at Calgary Expo from my many years of (still-mostly-unpublished) sketchbooks
(“The Drawing Book Volume 1,” “The Jumble Pts. 1 & 2,” etc.).
- In 2014, some of these comics were purchased by Calgary Arts Development to be distributed to attendees of the
Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions.
2002-04 “The Drawing Book” web series, six episodes of 20-30 pp each, unpublished anywhere else. The series is still online here.
CONVENTIONS, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, & BOOK SIGNINGS
2016 Exhibitor, first annual Panel One Comic Creator Festival, Calgary
2012-16 Exhibitor, Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo
2012 Exhibitor, Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expo
2003 Launch and Signings for “Project: Telstar”; debut of my first mini-comic, “A little treatise on the art of keeping your balance,"
MOCCA (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art) Second Annual Art Festival/Independent Comic Convention, New York City
2002 Panelist, Alternative Press Expo, San Francisco (Topic: “Comics that tell real stories”). Other panelists: Jeff Smith,
Scott Morse, Layla Lawlor, Laurenn McCubbin, Jon “Bean” Hastings, David Lasky, Fly, Tom Beland, James Kochalka,
Jeff Mason
2002 Book Signing for “9-11: Emergency Relief,” Beyond Comics, Washington DC, with other contributors: A. David Lewis,
Chris Pitzer, K. Thor Jensen, Ellen Lindner, Danny Donovan, Neil Vokes, Robert Ullman
2002 Organized Book Launch for “9-11: Emergency Relief” with partners Alternative Comics and local retailer Redd Skull Comics,
Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts, Calgary
2002 Exhibitor and Panelist, Calgary Sci-Fi Con (Topic: “The Future of Indie Comics in Canada”)
2001 Attended Comic Con International, San Diego!
2016 Exhibitor, first annual Panel One Comic Creator Festival, Calgary
2012-16 Exhibitor, Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo
2012 Exhibitor, Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expo
2003 Launch and Signings for “Project: Telstar”; debut of my first mini-comic, “A little treatise on the art of keeping your balance,"
MOCCA (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art) Second Annual Art Festival/Independent Comic Convention, New York City
2002 Panelist, Alternative Press Expo, San Francisco (Topic: “Comics that tell real stories”). Other panelists: Jeff Smith,
Scott Morse, Layla Lawlor, Laurenn McCubbin, Jon “Bean” Hastings, David Lasky, Fly, Tom Beland, James Kochalka,
Jeff Mason
2002 Book Signing for “9-11: Emergency Relief,” Beyond Comics, Washington DC, with other contributors: A. David Lewis,
Chris Pitzer, K. Thor Jensen, Ellen Lindner, Danny Donovan, Neil Vokes, Robert Ullman
2002 Organized Book Launch for “9-11: Emergency Relief” with partners Alternative Comics and local retailer Redd Skull Comics,
Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts, Calgary
2002 Exhibitor and Panelist, Calgary Sci-Fi Con (Topic: “The Future of Indie Comics in Canada”)
2001 Attended Comic Con International, San Diego!
WRITING
ACADEMIC ARTICLES
I’m not a scholar. I just love Young Adult Fiction and was inspired to work on a few projects in my spare time. There is a lot of crossover between my interest in academic writing and the themes that inspire my comics. Some of my academic writing has also incorporated comics. These pieces were unsolicited submissions to peer-reviewed publications. I was amazed and delighted when I discovered, in compiling this CV, that my articles had been cited in The Lion and the Unicorn, the Canadian Review of Comparative Literature, and in an article presented at the Canadian Society for the Study of Comics Conference.
2009 “Intertextual Resonances in Seven New Novels,” review for “Jeunesse”, journal of Canadian children’s literature. I drew
seven black & white illustrations for this article, too. Ed. Perry Nodelman, 16 pp
2007 “Crossovers and Changeovers: A Look Across Genre at Lynn Johnston and Margaret Mahy,” essay appearing in
“ImageTexT,” online journal of comics studies, University of Florida. Essay is illustrated throughout; ten pages are written as a
comic strip. Eds. Cathlena Martin and Charles Hatfield, 19 pp
2005 “The Wobble in the Symmetry,” essay appearing in “Marvellous Codes: The Fiction of Margaret Mahy,” anthology of
literary criticism, Victoria University Press, New Zealand. Eds. Elizabeth Hale and Sarah Fiona Winters, 25 pp
I’m not a scholar. I just love Young Adult Fiction and was inspired to work on a few projects in my spare time. There is a lot of crossover between my interest in academic writing and the themes that inspire my comics. Some of my academic writing has also incorporated comics. These pieces were unsolicited submissions to peer-reviewed publications. I was amazed and delighted when I discovered, in compiling this CV, that my articles had been cited in The Lion and the Unicorn, the Canadian Review of Comparative Literature, and in an article presented at the Canadian Society for the Study of Comics Conference.
2009 “Intertextual Resonances in Seven New Novels,” review for “Jeunesse”, journal of Canadian children’s literature. I drew
seven black & white illustrations for this article, too. Ed. Perry Nodelman, 16 pp
2007 “Crossovers and Changeovers: A Look Across Genre at Lynn Johnston and Margaret Mahy,” essay appearing in
“ImageTexT,” online journal of comics studies, University of Florida. Essay is illustrated throughout; ten pages are written as a
comic strip. Eds. Cathlena Martin and Charles Hatfield, 19 pp
2005 “The Wobble in the Symmetry,” essay appearing in “Marvellous Codes: The Fiction of Margaret Mahy,” anthology of
literary criticism, Victoria University Press, New Zealand. Eds. Elizabeth Hale and Sarah Fiona Winters, 25 pp
SELECTED ACADEMIC CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES
2008 Sketchnotes and event poster, Panel discussion and AGM of the Association for Research in Cultures of Young People (ARCYP),
ACCUTE Conference, Vancouver (My sketchnotes were later included as part of the submission for an article entitled
“Past tensions and future possibilities: ARCYP and children’s media studies” by Stuart R. Poyntz, Natalie Coulter,
and Geneviève Brisson, published in the Journal of Children and Media Vol. 10, Iss. 1, 2016).
2007 Participated in the inaugural meeting of the Centre for Research in Young People's Texts and Cultures (CRYTC), ACCUTE
Conference, Saskatoon
2006 Delivered Reader Response speech, “Following the Looping Line: A One-Day Symposium Exploring the Literary Legacy
of Margaret Mahy,” Christchurch, New Zealand
2006 “Crossovers and Changeovers: A Look Across Genre at Lynn Johnston and Margaret Mahy.”
Paper presentation, fourth annual University of Florida Conference on Comics and Graphic Novels, Gainesville, USA
2006 Sketchnotes, Children’s Literature Association Conference, Los Angeles, USA
2006 “Why don’t grown-up books have pictures?” Presenter, University of Calgary Free Exchange Graduate Conference, Calgary
2008 Sketchnotes and event poster, Panel discussion and AGM of the Association for Research in Cultures of Young People (ARCYP),
ACCUTE Conference, Vancouver (My sketchnotes were later included as part of the submission for an article entitled
“Past tensions and future possibilities: ARCYP and children’s media studies” by Stuart R. Poyntz, Natalie Coulter,
and Geneviève Brisson, published in the Journal of Children and Media Vol. 10, Iss. 1, 2016).
2007 Participated in the inaugural meeting of the Centre for Research in Young People's Texts and Cultures (CRYTC), ACCUTE
Conference, Saskatoon
2006 Delivered Reader Response speech, “Following the Looping Line: A One-Day Symposium Exploring the Literary Legacy
of Margaret Mahy,” Christchurch, New Zealand
2006 “Crossovers and Changeovers: A Look Across Genre at Lynn Johnston and Margaret Mahy.”
Paper presentation, fourth annual University of Florida Conference on Comics and Graphic Novels, Gainesville, USA
2006 Sketchnotes, Children’s Literature Association Conference, Los Angeles, USA
2006 “Why don’t grown-up books have pictures?” Presenter, University of Calgary Free Exchange Graduate Conference, Calgary
SELECTED ARTICLES
2012 Tribute to Margaret Mahy, Storylines (New Zealand’s national section of IBBY, the International Board on
Books for Young People) ISSN 11750189: Volume 11: Issue 2: August 2012.
2008 “The Battle for Teenage Minds,” (on the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer) FFWD Weekly, Calgary
2007 “Cat in a Mouse House,” (on His Dark Materials series by Phillip Pullman) FFWD Weekly, Calgary
2011-2016 I’ve also published quite a few short essays and articles on my blog, which sees 1000-2000 views/week,
on a range of subjects including Young Adult Fiction, multigenerational housing, local politics, the passing
of my dad, and my former life as a Bob Dylan groupie.
2012 Tribute to Margaret Mahy, Storylines (New Zealand’s national section of IBBY, the International Board on
Books for Young People) ISSN 11750189: Volume 11: Issue 2: August 2012.
2008 “The Battle for Teenage Minds,” (on the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer) FFWD Weekly, Calgary
2007 “Cat in a Mouse House,” (on His Dark Materials series by Phillip Pullman) FFWD Weekly, Calgary
2011-2016 I’ve also published quite a few short essays and articles on my blog, which sees 1000-2000 views/week,
on a range of subjects including Young Adult Fiction, multigenerational housing, local politics, the passing
of my dad, and my former life as a Bob Dylan groupie.
PROOFREADING/COPYWRITING
"Excellent, thanks so much, [your proofreading work] may make the article publishable!"
-Dr. Martin Koebel, Foothills Medical Centre, Department of Pathology, 2012
I freelanced as a proofreader from 2002-2013, working mainly with with ESL speakers and Canadians with learning disabilities, with a focus on applications, including the following:
- Application: Rotary Scholarship, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 2005
(Ms. Futamura won her scholarship to undertake a Master’s Degree at the University of Queensland, and contacted me again when
she was applying for a teaching position three years later, after completing her degree. This second application was also successful.)
Other proofreading clients included Catapult Marketing (Edmonton) and MK Strategy Group, Inc. (Calgary). In 2003, I was subcontracted
by Segue Consulting to edit and proof the final copy of the original 89-page Policy Review for the new Calgary Civic Arts Policy.
"Excellent, thanks so much, [your proofreading work] may make the article publishable!"
-Dr. Martin Koebel, Foothills Medical Centre, Department of Pathology, 2012
I freelanced as a proofreader from 2002-2013, working mainly with with ESL speakers and Canadians with learning disabilities, with a focus on applications, including the following:
- Rinzin Dorjee, Lhasa, Tibet - Successful application: Canadian permanent residence, 2008
- Mehbod Mansoori, Malmo, Sweden - Successful application: Canadian permanent residence, 2007
- John Burgener, Calgary, Canada - Successful application: Bradford University, UK, 2009
- Mayumi Futamura, Brisbane, Australia:
- Application: Rotary Scholarship, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 2005
(Ms. Futamura won her scholarship to undertake a Master’s Degree at the University of Queensland, and contacted me again when
she was applying for a teaching position three years later, after completing her degree. This second application was also successful.)
Other proofreading clients included Catapult Marketing (Edmonton) and MK Strategy Group, Inc. (Calgary). In 2003, I was subcontracted
by Segue Consulting to edit and proof the final copy of the original 89-page Policy Review for the new Calgary Civic Arts Policy.
COMMUNITY
RECENT VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
2013-16 Comics/graphic recording for VoteKit, a non-partisan “Get Out The Vote” volunteer initiative
2016 Visual notetaking to help tell the story of imagiNATION 150, a Calgary-based Sesquicentennial project
2015-16 Organizing Committee, 1st & 2nd annual Peter Burgener Memorial Charity Concert
2011-15 Co-founder/ Secretary/ Webmaster: Vibrant Village Society of Inglewood & Ramsay
Our non-profit received $12,000 from Calgary 2012, as part of Calgary’s Cultural Capital year,
to produce a series of “pop-ups” (“find it”) between 2012-2016. Some of our events, such as
the Inglewood Night Market, became self-sustaining, community-shaping events which continue today.
I created our website, www.finditcalgary.ca, from the ground up; I wrote all the copy that told our story
and enticed Calgarians to come out and join in the fun.
2014 Organized book launches (including promotion and website development) for my mom’s self-published collection of poems,
“Naked Under My Coat: Writing Under the Influence of Parkinson’s,” at Shelf Life Books and Loft 112.
2013 Graphic Recording for Calgary City Hall School (Campus Calgary/Open Minds program)
2010-16 Ramsay Community volunteer (School parent volunteer, Community newsletter contributor/co-editor)
2013-16 Comics/graphic recording for VoteKit, a non-partisan “Get Out The Vote” volunteer initiative
2016 Visual notetaking to help tell the story of imagiNATION 150, a Calgary-based Sesquicentennial project
2015-16 Organizing Committee, 1st & 2nd annual Peter Burgener Memorial Charity Concert
2011-15 Co-founder/ Secretary/ Webmaster: Vibrant Village Society of Inglewood & Ramsay
Our non-profit received $12,000 from Calgary 2012, as part of Calgary’s Cultural Capital year,
to produce a series of “pop-ups” (“find it”) between 2012-2016. Some of our events, such as
the Inglewood Night Market, became self-sustaining, community-shaping events which continue today.
I created our website, www.finditcalgary.ca, from the ground up; I wrote all the copy that told our story
and enticed Calgarians to come out and join in the fun.
2014 Organized book launches (including promotion and website development) for my mom’s self-published collection of poems,
“Naked Under My Coat: Writing Under the Influence of Parkinson’s,” at Shelf Life Books and Loft 112.
2013 Graphic Recording for Calgary City Hall School (Campus Calgary/Open Minds program)
2010-16 Ramsay Community volunteer (School parent volunteer, Community newsletter contributor/co-editor)
WORKSHOPS/RESIDENCIES
2017
- Visual Storytelling Artist in Residence, Willow Park School, Calgary
- Reality is Optional Creative Kids’ Programming (an Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society program residing at cSPACE) -
“Pen and Panel” comics workshop for teens, Calgary
2016
- Guest, “Geek Girls Night Out,” Redd Skull Comics, Calgary
- Graphic Recording Workshop, Panel One Comic Creators Fest, Calgary
2015
- Visual Storytelling Artist in Residence (January-June), Andrew Sibbald School, Calgary
- Graphic Recording Workshop, City of Calgary Community & Neighbourhood Services
- “Lunch & Learn,” graphic recording presentation, The Commons Co-Working Office
- Co-Presenter, “Contracting for a Successful Engagement,” International Association of Facilitators North America Conference, Banff, AB
2014
- Graphic Recording Workshop, Empact, (program offering “an innovative solution to employment challenges faced by Income Support
recipients,”) Calgary
2017
- Visual Storytelling Artist in Residence, Willow Park School, Calgary
- Reality is Optional Creative Kids’ Programming (an Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society program residing at cSPACE) -
“Pen and Panel” comics workshop for teens, Calgary
2016
- Guest, “Geek Girls Night Out,” Redd Skull Comics, Calgary
- Graphic Recording Workshop, Panel One Comic Creators Fest, Calgary
2015
- Visual Storytelling Artist in Residence (January-June), Andrew Sibbald School, Calgary
- Graphic Recording Workshop, City of Calgary Community & Neighbourhood Services
- “Lunch & Learn,” graphic recording presentation, The Commons Co-Working Office
- Co-Presenter, “Contracting for a Successful Engagement,” International Association of Facilitators North America Conference, Banff, AB
2014
- Graphic Recording Workshop, Empact, (program offering “an innovative solution to employment challenges faced by Income Support
recipients,”) Calgary
SELECTED AWARDS, GRANTS & RECOGNITION
2016 Recipient (in partnership with Calgary Reads) of a $10,000 grant from the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th
(“a national initiative and collaborative effort seeded by the Government of Canada,” distributed through the Calgary
Foundation), for curation of a colouring book inspired by Canadian children’s literature, featuring comics & art by
Alberta artists. Forthcoming 2017.
2016 Profiled in Calgary Arts Development’s “Storytelling Project” (“To raise awareness about Calgarians who, by living creative
lives, are making Calgary a better city”)
2012 Awarded a $1200 “Grassroots Initiative” grant (on behalf of the informal “23rd Avenue Ladies’ Group,”) for the
23rd Avenue Artwalk and Street Celebration, part of Calgary’s “Cultural Capital of Canada” year. I conceived
and organized this event, which featured about twenty local artists and artisans and prompted Calgary arts blogger
Binzento Vincente to write: “Officially I can call [23rd Avenue] the most artsy part of town.” I also built the event website
and wrote all the web copy (preserved on my own site).
2006 “Top Finalist” (one of ten), in The Portrait Society of Canada’s annual international portrait competition, Art Gallery of
Ontario, Toronto
2005 “Highly Recommended*” for Canada Council Creative Writing Grant for “The Drawing Book,” an autobiographical
graphic novel (*Awarded but unfunded due to lack of funding at that time)
2016 Recipient (in partnership with Calgary Reads) of a $10,000 grant from the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th
(“a national initiative and collaborative effort seeded by the Government of Canada,” distributed through the Calgary
Foundation), for curation of a colouring book inspired by Canadian children’s literature, featuring comics & art by
Alberta artists. Forthcoming 2017.
2016 Profiled in Calgary Arts Development’s “Storytelling Project” (“To raise awareness about Calgarians who, by living creative
lives, are making Calgary a better city”)
2012 Awarded a $1200 “Grassroots Initiative” grant (on behalf of the informal “23rd Avenue Ladies’ Group,”) for the
23rd Avenue Artwalk and Street Celebration, part of Calgary’s “Cultural Capital of Canada” year. I conceived
and organized this event, which featured about twenty local artists and artisans and prompted Calgary arts blogger
Binzento Vincente to write: “Officially I can call [23rd Avenue] the most artsy part of town.” I also built the event website
and wrote all the web copy (preserved on my own site).
2006 “Top Finalist” (one of ten), in The Portrait Society of Canada’s annual international portrait competition, Art Gallery of
Ontario, Toronto
2005 “Highly Recommended*” for Canada Council Creative Writing Grant for “The Drawing Book,” an autobiographical
graphic novel (*Awarded but unfunded due to lack of funding at that time)
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2012-present Principal, The 23rd Story (www.the23rdstory.com)
I work as a graphic recorder, creating large-scale visual records in support of a wide range of organizations.
As a silent observer and thoughtful transcriber of live events, I draw upon my experience as an unofficial
“comics journalist” of local events.
1997-2012 Flight Attendant (German & French route language speaker),
Air Canada’s Calgary-Frankfurt route
2000-2012 Freelance work: proofreading/copyediting; writing; comics; visual art (painting/murals)
2012-present Principal, The 23rd Story (www.the23rdstory.com)
I work as a graphic recorder, creating large-scale visual records in support of a wide range of organizations.
As a silent observer and thoughtful transcriber of live events, I draw upon my experience as an unofficial
“comics journalist” of local events.
1997-2012 Flight Attendant (German & French route language speaker),
Air Canada’s Calgary-Frankfurt route
2000-2012 Freelance work: proofreading/copyediting; writing; comics; visual art (painting/murals)
EDUCATION
2005 Accepted: MA, Creative Writing, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
I was one of twenty students accepted into this program, supervised by New Zealand’s inaugural poet laureate,
Bill Manhire. I had applied with the understanding that I would receive an educational leave. My employer
cancelled its leave policy, so I had to decline the opportunity to pursue the MA program.
1996-1997 Foundation Year, Ontario College of Art and Design, Toronto
1992 -1995 BA First Class Honours, English Specialist Program, University of Toronto
1991-1992 First Year General Studies, University of Calgary
1990-1991 Rotary Exchange Student Scholarship (one year in Germany)
1990 Advanced High School Diploma, St. Mary’s High School, Calgary
2005 Accepted: MA, Creative Writing, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
I was one of twenty students accepted into this program, supervised by New Zealand’s inaugural poet laureate,
Bill Manhire. I had applied with the understanding that I would receive an educational leave. My employer
cancelled its leave policy, so I had to decline the opportunity to pursue the MA program.
1996-1997 Foundation Year, Ontario College of Art and Design, Toronto
1992 -1995 BA First Class Honours, English Specialist Program, University of Toronto
1991-1992 First Year General Studies, University of Calgary
1990-1991 Rotary Exchange Student Scholarship (one year in Germany)
1990 Advanced High School Diploma, St. Mary’s High School, Calgary
AFFILIATIONS
2016 - Member, Calgary Visual Practitioners Networking Group
2015 - Member, Panel One (Calgary Comic Creators Collective)
2014 - Member, International Forum of Visual Practitioners
2007-2009 Member, Centre for Research in Young People’s Text and Cultures
2004-2007 Member, ArtPoint Gallery & Studios, Calgary
2000-2011 Member, Friends of Lulu, “an American Non-Profit Organization Dedicated to Getting More Girls and Women
Involved in Comics" (dissolved in 2011)
2002 - Featured artist, the Comiclopedia, an online compendium of over 12,000 international comics artists.
2016 - Member, Calgary Visual Practitioners Networking Group
2015 - Member, Panel One (Calgary Comic Creators Collective)
2014 - Member, International Forum of Visual Practitioners
2007-2009 Member, Centre for Research in Young People’s Text and Cultures
2004-2007 Member, ArtPoint Gallery & Studios, Calgary
2000-2011 Member, Friends of Lulu, “an American Non-Profit Organization Dedicated to Getting More Girls and Women
Involved in Comics" (dissolved in 2011)
2002 - Featured artist, the Comiclopedia, an online compendium of over 12,000 international comics artists.
SAMPLES OF MY WORK
An earlier version of this resume had thumbnail images of some of the works on that list, so I've left those images below for quick viewing. Click on the titles for the links to larger versions of the images.
Local history comics posters commissioned by Red's Diner, Calgary, 2013
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Examples: "Sam Hester's Ramsay," Community Newsletter comic strip
These one-page monthly strips, appearing in my community newsletter from 2012-2016, were inspired by a piece commissioned by the Calgary Herald as part of its "Project Calgary" series. The Calgary Herald comic is the image in the centre of this group.
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Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo's juried Artbook, 2012-16
Each year the Expo's Artbook features a theme: "Dreams & Wishes," "Fantastic Adventures," etc. Instead of drawing conventional superheroes and monsters, I chose to depict these themes as they play out in (my own) real life. I'm grateful that the Expo accepted my non-traditional submissions, which have been the only multi-panel comics stories in a book full of "splash pages," for five years; and also for publishing my most recent contribution, 2016's comic strip about post-partum depression. Here are four of my five Artbook pieces.
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Comics "Abecedarium" published in the 2013 Calgary Expo Program,
circulation 60,000
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"Work/Life," UPPERCASE Directory of Illustration, 2013
To round things off, here's a list of my work in the visual arts, not all of which is comics-related (and which isn't part of my Literary Resume, but which I'm just keeping here on my site).
VISUAL ARTS
SELECTED PAINTING EXHIBITIONS
2015 “Show, Don’t Tell” Photography and Graphic Design Group Exhibition (two weeks), part of “Beakerhead,” John Fluevog Shoes,
Calgary
2012 Caprices Fine Art & Craft Sale, Inglewood Community Hall, Calgary
2012 Solo painting show (two months), Waves Coffee House, Calgary
2012 Exhibitor, 23rd Avenue Artwalk & Street Celebration, Calgary
2007 South Calgary Art Show & Sale, Marda Loop Communities Association, Calgary
2006 Group Exhibit, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto: One of ten “Top Finalists”
in the Portrait Society of Canada’s annual international portrait competition
2005 Solo show, ArtPoint Gallery & Studios, Calgary (one month):
“The Brothers: Portraits of the Rock Central Family Band” (19 portraits in oil)
- These portraits were subsequently displayed in the front lobby
of Calgary’s Uptown Theatre from July 2005-July 2006.
2005 “Celebrating Alberta,” Group Show, ArtPoint Gallery & Studios, Calgary
2005 One painting in “Alberta Centennial Celebration,” Group Show, Nanton, Alberta
2005 “The Erotic Art Show,” Group Show, ArtPoint Gallery & Studios, Calgary
2003 “One of a Kind Sale,” Group Show & Craft Sale, Art Gallery of Calgary
2002 Six-month painting show, Nellie’s Break the Fast Café, Calgary
2002 One-month painting show, Cup of Joe Café, Calgary
2000 Solo show, the Auburn Saloon, Calgary (one month):
“well, i met somebody face to face” (18 portraits in oil)
2000 Exhibitor, Edmonton Artwalk
2015 “Show, Don’t Tell” Photography and Graphic Design Group Exhibition (two weeks), part of “Beakerhead,” John Fluevog Shoes,
Calgary
2012 Caprices Fine Art & Craft Sale, Inglewood Community Hall, Calgary
2012 Solo painting show (two months), Waves Coffee House, Calgary
2012 Exhibitor, 23rd Avenue Artwalk & Street Celebration, Calgary
2007 South Calgary Art Show & Sale, Marda Loop Communities Association, Calgary
2006 Group Exhibit, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto: One of ten “Top Finalists”
in the Portrait Society of Canada’s annual international portrait competition
2005 Solo show, ArtPoint Gallery & Studios, Calgary (one month):
“The Brothers: Portraits of the Rock Central Family Band” (19 portraits in oil)
- These portraits were subsequently displayed in the front lobby
of Calgary’s Uptown Theatre from July 2005-July 2006.
2005 “Celebrating Alberta,” Group Show, ArtPoint Gallery & Studios, Calgary
2005 One painting in “Alberta Centennial Celebration,” Group Show, Nanton, Alberta
2005 “The Erotic Art Show,” Group Show, ArtPoint Gallery & Studios, Calgary
2003 “One of a Kind Sale,” Group Show & Craft Sale, Art Gallery of Calgary
2002 Six-month painting show, Nellie’s Break the Fast Café, Calgary
2002 One-month painting show, Cup of Joe Café, Calgary
2000 Solo show, the Auburn Saloon, Calgary (one month):
“well, i met somebody face to face” (18 portraits in oil)
2000 Exhibitor, Edmonton Artwalk
SELECTED COMMISSIONED PROJECTS, PORTRAIT & MURAL PAINTING 1999 - 2016
Most of my work as a portrait painter and mural artist has been for private clients, but here are some examples of projects completed for corporate/non-profit organizations.
City of Calgary - Painted Utility Box Program
YWCA of Calgary - Interior murals, downtown YWCA lobby and Sherriff King Shelter
Campus Preschool - Exterior/interior mural
Boardwalk Equities Inc. - Exterior mural (4 storeys high, 17th Avenue & 1st Street SW)
Lake Bonavista Community Association - Exterior mural (four panels)
Plaza Theatre - Interior mural, front lobby
Trendsetter Homes, Strathmore - Two interior murals
Broken City Social Club - “Broken City” painting displayed in front window (still, more than 10 years later!)
Woodbridge PREP Program (Calgary school for children with Down Syndrome):
-2003: Three paintings (featured on Hockey Night in Canada as part of a discussion about Down Syndrome awareness).
-2011: Painted a custom-designed goalie mask for Kelly Hrudey, presented at Flames Central, in honour of his raising $1 million for PREP.
Most of my work as a portrait painter and mural artist has been for private clients, but here are some examples of projects completed for corporate/non-profit organizations.
City of Calgary - Painted Utility Box Program
YWCA of Calgary - Interior murals, downtown YWCA lobby and Sherriff King Shelter
Campus Preschool - Exterior/interior mural
Boardwalk Equities Inc. - Exterior mural (4 storeys high, 17th Avenue & 1st Street SW)
Lake Bonavista Community Association - Exterior mural (four panels)
Plaza Theatre - Interior mural, front lobby
Trendsetter Homes, Strathmore - Two interior murals
Broken City Social Club - “Broken City” painting displayed in front window (still, more than 10 years later!)
Woodbridge PREP Program (Calgary school for children with Down Syndrome):
-2003: Three paintings (featured on Hockey Night in Canada as part of a discussion about Down Syndrome awareness).
-2011: Painted a custom-designed goalie mask for Kelly Hrudey, presented at Flames Central, in honour of his raising $1 million for PREP.
