Pow! Zing! Comic Camp!

My hotel room smells like feet.
So does the hallway. And the lobby...
This place - the Hotel Coolidge in White River Junction, Vermont - is an intriguing mix of blast from the past, mysterious - and "well, that's what you get for the price."
I have definitely stayed in much worse conditions. And there are some things here that are better than some of the expensive suite hotels I've stayed in too.

For one, I actually have TWO rooms. Granted, they are divided by the bathroom...

...and I have a fridge so I don't have to eat at a restaurant three meals a day...

The hallways are literally endless! And they are wider than the actual rooms.
There's free internet and the latest of other technological advances...

And there are some really lovely Zentangle worthy tangles - like this hall rug...

...such lovely depth, don't you think? And this Crescent Moon relative on the curtain...

The whole town feels like it is trapped in time. It's actually rather creepy. There are all sorts of interesting shops and restaurants and theater and paint-your-own-pottery - but there's no one here and everything feels closed. Or rather, like the people have just stepped away...

And every once in a while a train whistle blows as it pulls into the station across the street.

Meanwhile, 7 miles up the street, there is a big crack in the earth and it is hopping with people! Quechee Gorge is mobbed with tourists, hikers, and shoppers. Go figure.

I got really queasy looking over the railing - and every time a car passed behind me on the bridge, the whole thing bounced. blurgh. There are nice hiking trails that go along the side of the gorge and UNDER the bridge.

From under here, there is a creepy, cracking sound when the cars pass over. But I think I prefer having my feet on the solid ground!

• • • • •

I'm only in White River Junction for the week, but already I have asked myself a thousand times - "Could I survive here for a whole year? Maybe two?" I really love the idea of getting my Masters in Cartooning. How cool would that be?! Yes, there are plenty of obstacles to that goal, but for now, I should just enjoy this one week.

I am here at the Center for Cartoon Studies for Create Comics - or as I call it - "Cartoon Camp." We have an eclectic mix of people over forty (a couple "way" over 40), a couple of teenagers, and a big group of 20-somethings. I can't say that I feel like I fit in, but then I think that every one here is a bit of a... misfit. ;-)

In keeping with my "I just can't escape from work" plight... remember last summer where I ran away from my over-scheduled illustration classes, to an art camp on a remote island in the middle of a lake, in the middle of nowhere - and my cabin-mate was the very teacher from that illustration class!?... this is not quite so bad, but I had kind of been hoping to pretend to just be like everyone else and focus on comics. I wanted to think like a beginner and see it all anew. Get rejuvenated.

I wasn't in the classroom for more than 10 minutes before a man turned around and introduced himself saying that we had met at CZT training number 12 and he was so excited that I was here! He has my books and my App. My cover is blown. But, actually, it was kind of a relief. I'm no good at small talk with strangers and talking about Zentangle made us instant friends. I am curious to see his abstract cartoons tomorrow. He also has a web comic with a penguin.

Tomorrow, I have a "portfolio review" during lunch. Of course, I haven't had a "portfolio" since I graduated from art school. And, yes, I am weirdly nervous!

Today was a blast! We learned about character design, environments, thumbnails... and we drew... FAST! (I always draw slow!) I was remembering how my son's summer studies teacher said the kids would learn as much Arabic, in five weeks, as college kids learn in TWO YEARS. Whoa. Now I see how that is possible. When you are packing in just one subject - and your teacher talks really fast and times you - you get a lot done! I love seeing how "WTF!?" (when the challenge is given) can turn into "Maybe if I..." (when you are forced to draw something. Anything. NOW!) then turns into "Hmmm... best idea ever!"

My character, Amret, started out as a slightly evil dog type creature, but then changed into a slightly mischievous little sister. Then she grew batwings. Then a black dress with a skull... and poofy sleeves...

... and pink lace...

...and she lives in a cave. And likes to draw...

Tune in tomorrow, when Amret will learn to make bold gestures!