After I graduated from Santa Fe, I immediately went to SCAD – The University for Creative Careers where I got my undergraduate degree in sequential art, which is the fancy name for ‘comic books.’ At first, I thought I wanted to work on mainstream comics, to be that guy who did Batman or Superman. And then I discovered that what I really wanted to do was tell stories that were a little more personal. My niche was finding a storytelling focus in Florida. [See Andre’s collection of books on his website. Link below.]. When students ask me, ‘What should I do?’ I say, don’t go down the same path that everyone else did. Figure out what you’re really good, figure out what else you’re really good at, combine the two together and develop something that hasn’t been seen or heard of yet. If you want to tell stories about a superhero killer whale that helps connect with your background in marine biology, then do that. Now that would be a fascinating story.
– Andre R. Frattino, A.A. Art Studio, Graphic Novelist, Illustrator