Thesis and Exhibition
“The HAS program is a good mix of creative inspiration and the business side of art. My understanding of the publishing and licensing fields has been expanded and I feel I’m better equipped to make decisions relative to this industry. My interest in product development was fostered and I believe my goals in this area will be realized as a result of my focused study. I now have a body of work, a marketing plan and the artistic vision to help transition from web design web provider to product developer. I see opportunities ahead and baby steps taken in a new direction. I am changed.”
Mardi Speth, Class of 2009
Huntington Beach, CA
A vital element of this program is the development and presentation of a thesis project, initiated during the first summer residency. This thesis is a self-initiated capstone body of work to be completed and presented by your graduation (the third and final residency). This project is developed by each student under the guidance of their Thesis Advisor, either Doug Andersen or Bill Thomson and Program Director Murray Tinkelman. The students will be assigned their advisor at the first Contact Period in July, will meet with them during all future contact periods, and stay in contact throughout the year by email, hard copy, and phone.
The visual art emphasis of the thesis is a body of work created by the student with a common theme. An integral part of this project is a business and marketing plan specifically tailored to the body of work as well as a short written summary describing the project and the process.
Graduating students will present their thesis during their final summer residency. The program concludes with an exhibition of 6 – 8 pieces of each thesis exhibited for two weeks at the Hartford Art School, Joseloff Gallery, West Hartford CT. The Hartford Art School hosts an Artists Reception at the Thesis Exhibition where graduating students may invite family, friends and clients. If you are interested in attending the Artists Reception, please contact us at tinkelman@hartford.edu.
Doug Andersen, Thesis Advisor
Doug Andersen is a graduate of San Jose State University with a major in fine arts painting. He spent a few years in the gallery market, but finding the galleries too commercial, decided to move into the illustration market.
Doug worked for five years in Lockheed's Space Systems Division as an illustrator doing technical illustration and conceptual paintings of spacecraft and hardware. Some of the programs Andersen worked on were Space Shuttle, Space Telescope, Space Station, and early Mars landing projects. He spent another five years as an art director for Lockheed's New Business Acquisition, doing conceptual renderings for new products, and designing presentation artwork for SSD's Acquisition Management.
Since leaving the space industry, Doug Andersen has spent the last 16 years freelancing in the Science Fiction game and book cover market along with other various markets.
Bill Thomson, Thesis Advisor
Bill Thomson has created artwork for advertising, book, and editorial clients across the United States. In recent years, Bill's work has focused primarily on children's books. He has illustrated picture books, Karate Hour, Building With Dad, Baseball Hour and Soccer Hour; and he also wrote and illustrated CHALK, all published by Marshall Cavendish.
Bill’s books have won the Connecticut Book Award, a Gold Award from National Parenting Publications, and have been finalists or nominees for numerous other book awards. Most recently, his book CHALK has been selected as one of seven CYBILS AWARDS Finalists, selected to the ALA Notable Children's Book List, The New York Public Library's Top 100 Children's Books For Reading And Sharing, and on the list of 2010 Best Illustrated Children's Books by About.com Guide.
Bill's artwork has also been recognized more than seventy-five times in juried illustration competitions sponsored by the Society of Illustrators (NY), the Los Angeles Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts Magazine, Step Inside Design Magazine, the Three By Three Illustration Annual, the RSVP Directory and the Connecticut Art Directors Club, and been honored with Gold and Silver Awards.
Murray Tinkelman - 
