Julian Santos
Name: Julian Santos
Graduation year & Degree: 2008, Bachelor’s of Fine Arts
Major: Illustration
Current Occupation: Educator at ICA in Beverly Hills, California and Co-Founder/Writer/Producer at ScrantonFilms.com
How long at current job: I have been working in education for about fifteen years
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/computerboyadventures/
Scranton Films: https://www.scrantonfilms.com/
What was your favorite part about studying art at Marywood?
The professors gave me the opportunity to explore, to experiment with other mediums. I felt that they allowed me to swim in all the arts and allowed me to understand, via my own path, how much all genres were connected. As someone who was born and raised in California, one of my favorite parts about Marywood and NEPA in general was the colors of the changing seasons. The scenery was very inspirational.
How did your art education at Marywood help your career?
My education at Marywood allowed more creative freedom in the independent market. Having a holistic art education allows one to gain access to projects that you may not work on if you take a dogmatic approach.
What attracted you to this career path?
Creativity. I believe if you allow yourself to continue to be creative, you just end up on an art path.
Did your career path match your vision of a career path? What’s different?
No. A career path in the arts can be, and most likely will be, a treacherous or tricky one. The best example of what an artist path is beautifully explained in a song by Daniel Johnston called The Story of an Artist. So, artists never really reach the end, or finish a work, we simply garden until we find our soil.
What is your favorite thing about your current job?
Educating the youth is rewarding. I feel that if you can bestow your knowledge to the youth, you are creating.
Are you currently working on any interesting side projects?
Yes, always. I work with my best friend, Luz Cabrales on many side projects for Scranton Films. She is a successful entrepreneur that went to Marywood and still lives in NEPA.
What are some of the biggest rewards in your career?
In education, the ability to mentor and enlighten. In the creative field, the freedom to invent and play.
What’s something that would surprise people about your day-to-day?
I guess not a surprise to those in the know, but just the amount of emails read and replied to, both on time and not on time, on a daily basis.
What inspires you?
Music. I find more often than not, music will be the biggest spark for inspiration.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Eat at Hank’s Hoagies! Learn more about it here.
Any advice for current art students at Marywood?
Don’t quit. Success and failure are measured by degrees not inches. As mentioned, my friend Luz and I, through all of the turmoil and triumphs we were afforded the opportunities to be in the presence, meet, and be mentored by greats like David Lynch, Spike Jonze, Dan Kay, John Zuur Platten, Carissima Hodovanec, Ashley Bank, David O’ Leary, Nina Diaz, Lloyd Kaufman and others. Great things will happen if you stay creative and have the patience of Job.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN STUDYING ILLUSTRATION?
UNDERGRADUATE: Bachelor of Fine Arts: Illustration
Our professors are working professionals with first-hand knowledge of the opportunities available in the field of illustration. Courses are tailored to your particular interests and strengths, while fostering a broad understanding of the wide range of uses for illustration. Class projects focus on concept development, design, craft, and color. They require students to work in a variety of 2D and 3D media.. LEARN MORE
GRADUATE: MA and MFAs offered. Our “Get Your Master’s with the Masters” MFA Program in Design, Illustration, and Studio Art offers a rare opportunity to receive personal, hands-on training from leaders in the design and illustration fields. Working with designers, illustrators, and other art professionals is the easiest and most effective way to learn how to produce career-advancing work and obtain your MFA degree. LEARN MORE