Aja Wells, Class of 2012
Arcata, CA

My first book, "That's Not Your Mommy Anymore" was published by Ulysses Press. It's a 32-page illustrated picture book for adults on Zombies. It is the same book that I worked on during my first session at Hartford.

Jim O'Brien, Class of 2008
St. Paul, MN

Since graduating from Hartford Art School, I have a full-time position as Assistant Professor and Chair of Illustration at the College of Visual Arts in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Ron Mazellan, Class of 2008
Marion, IN

Since graduation from the best MFA in Illustration Program on the planet:

• I have achieved full Professor status at Indiana Wesleyan University.
• I have had two children's books published:
  • "A is for Abraham" (Sleeping Bear Press)
  • "You Can Be a Friend" by Tony Dungy (Simon & Schuster). (Which happened to break into the New York Times Bestseller List at #7 this week.)
• My work was accepted in Communication Arts Illustration Annual. This was my MFA "Dream Project" which was initiated during my first year in the MFA program.

Linda Warner Constantino, Class of 2007
Hilton Head Island, SC

• I have written and am now teaching a new course "Type and Image for the Illustrator" at Savannah College of Art & Design, Savannah, GA.
• I wrote an online class in Digital Illustration for Savannah College of Art & Design.
• Formed Linadona Botanica LLC with my sister to create design and illustrations inspired by nature for art licensing.
• I had a booth at Surtex 2011, the Licensing show in New York City. (Thanks to this program for the business plan assignment in our Business of Illustration Course.)
• Awarded a Presidential Fellowship from SCAD to paint in Italy the month of June 2009
• I am certified as a botanical artist from the Society of Botanical Artists in Kew, England in April 2012.

Yong Chen, Class of 2009
Nashua, NH

• I have a tenure track college teaching position at Bunker Hill Community College, Boston MA, because of having my MFA.
• My first-time authorship of a children's picture book, with my illustrations, was created, developed and published during my MFA program. Book Title: A Gift. Publisher: Boyds Mills Press. Summer 2009.   
• Created a first full-video-online-watercolor course that has been received with state-wide praises and success. This concept was encouraged by the Director, Murray Tinkelman, and it was included as part of my thesis research project. A formal online learning center with already 3000 international members is underway.

Jon Sideriadis, Class of 2011
Rocky Hill, CT

• Since I joined this program, I have received an adjunct teaching position at the Hartford Art School in the Illustration Department.
• I have obtained a large commission for illustrating a fantasy trading card game set that was just published.

Mike Fay, Class of 2012
Fredricksburg, VA

• I got my first adjunct teaching position at Virginia Commonwealth University's College of Art's, Painting and Printmaking Department.
• I was invited to speak at the Norman Rockwell Museum in August of 2010.
• Smithsonian Institution's Museum of American History is going to collect my sculpture, sketches and paintings for a new collection of record of Iraq and Afghan War art.
• I have an offer from McFarland Books to publish my war art memoir.
• English publisher Thames and Hudson is considering a proposal to author an art book focused on current working war artists.
• Exclusive free-lance agreement with the New York Times for my forthcoming war art and dispatches.
• Coordinating embedded mission for myself and illustrators Victor Juhasz and Steve Brodner with stateside Marine units training for Afghanistan, and visits to sketch and interact with recovering service members at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
• Bottom Line -- the professional level of this MFA provides stellar networking, carries great weight with other universities, and inspires a ton of creativity and production. This is truly the program for professionals wanting to continue being challenged, and collaterally afforded contacts leading to publishing, teaching and exhibition opportunities.

Mariano Nicieza, Class of 2008
Ewing, NJ

• Creator-owned pop culture character; Phazer. Premiered at the New York Comic Con in October 2010-RZG Comics-redzonegirls.com.
• Through partnership deals with multiple Independent Publishers, Phazer made its debut in a special tie-in "NYCC Exclusive" comic with nine different publishers and twelve notable creator-owned independent characters in an action packed full color, 32-page format, limited print run comic book with twelve alternate gold foil covers. To the best of our research, it is a first in the over 70 years of comic book publishing history; that a single character (Phazer) has debuted simultaneously with nine different publishers in the same publishing month… may even be a Guiness World Book of Records entry! The entire publishing line will debut throughout 2011 as special one-shots, cross-over issues, and Limited Series tying our signature character, Phazer into the universes of each publishing partner’s chosen character(s).
• Full list of RZG Comics covers, characters and publishers is as follows:
  
  • Cover/Character Publishing Partner
  • Phazer/Penance Red Anvil Comics
  • Phazer/Captain Action Moonstone Books
  • Phazer/Golden Age Shocker Toys
  • Phazer/Witch Hunter Monarch Comics
  • Phazer/Pistol Fist Bluewater Productions
  • Phazer/El Gato Negro Azteca Productions
  • Shadowflame JGM Comics
  • Agent Three Zero, Blackray,
  • Blue Sultan, Nova Girls MN Comics Production

Magge Gagliardi, Class of 2012
Berlin, CT

• I started in the program July of 2010 and since then I have signed on to do a book with the Yale Child's Study Center and Cambridge Publishing.
• I have also acquired the position of "Scenic Designer/Director" at the Hartford Children's Theatre in Hartford, CT."

Scott Anderson, Class of 2007
Santa Barbara, CA

• Receiving my MFA from Hartford enabled me to keep my tenure track position at my school.
• Promoted to Associate Professor of art at Westmont College.
• Received tenure as a result of my MFA from this program.
• Have been very active as an editorial illustrator.
• Have picked up numerous awards since Hartford, including honors from the American Advertising Association and UCDA (University and College Designers Association).
• I definitely give credit for my ongoing freelance career to the education I received at Hartford.

Diane Sammet, Class of 2009
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

I received full-time faculty status at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale due to receiving my MFA from the Hartford Art School.

Josh Brunet, Class of 2011
Oakfield, TN

I have been able to teach adjunct in the art department at Union University in Jackson, TN because I have my MFA.

Ed Tuttle, Class of 2010
Waterbury, CT

• Won an award (a first) from Applied Arts Magazine for a piece I did during the summer under CF Payne's instruction.
• During the two years I was developing two styles of work, one that I eventually used for my thesis. The other was a portrait style that evolved as a result of a challenge inspired by Kazu Sano.
• I have been invited to hang in a gallery in Ivoryton, CT (Six Summit Gallery) for a two- month show with other artists.
• Seven of my portraits will be on display for 2 months and I will be taking on commissions.
• Our church is very open to and encouraging towards artists and the arts. For the past two years I have created 8' x 14' (yes, feet) illustrations that have been hung in the sanctuary.
• This year I am teaching a class based on my MFA experience to guide about a dozen artists through the process to create a gallery of work. I know more is yet to come. Thanks again for creating such a fine program.

Mollie Bozarth, Class of 2010
Naperville, IL

The HAS program enabled me to interview for a high school position here in my current district. So, I am now tenured in the district and enjoying a new position teaching Computer Graphics and 3D Design at Waubonsie Valley High School.

Bob Dahm, Class of 2007
United Arab Emerites,

• After graduating from Hartford (ten days after graduation in fact) I began my current position of Assistant Professor of Design in the College of Architecture, Art and Design, American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emerites.
• During my first year here (2007-08) I served as Interim Design Department Chair.
• Together with colleagues we introduced a new minor in Illustration-Animation. I am primary advisor for the program.

Barclay Tucker, Class of 2007
Lyndonville, VT

• After receiving my MFA from Hartford, I was promoted to Associate Professor and received tenure in the Department of Visual Arts at Lyndon State College, Lyndonville, VT.
• I illustrated Fat Freddys Afraid to Fall for Good Sound Publishing.
• I have been working on posters and other artwork for the Vermont Children’s Theater.

Scott Bakal, Class of 2007
West Roxbury, MA

• Since graduating in 2007, I have received 83 awards from all the major professional illustration competitions.
• Me + the Devil book published (This was my thesis for my MFA) -- Gold and Silver Medal from Creative Quarterly.
• Silver Medal from the Society of Illustrators.
• Awarded Luerzer’s 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide twice.
• Was awarded the 3x3: Magazine of Contemporary Illustration Artist/Educator of the Year for 2010.
• I was profiled in a feature in CMYK Magazine #49.
• 30 exhibitions around the United States.
• Teaching Position: Full time, tenure track position at Massachusetts College of Art and Design thanks to my MFA in Illustration.

Val Paul Taylor, Class of 2010
Orem, UT

• Gold in Excellence in Design Award.
• Silver in Fundraising Publications & Packages Award from the CASE VII (Counsel for the Advancement & Support of Education) for my BYU Department of Animation Book/DVD project. The district includes all Colleges and Universities in District 7, which is Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, and Northern Mariana Islands.