The organizing committee of the Comics & Medicine conference worked for eleven months to pull together the amazing three days we experienced in Chicago. Worth every second of focus, work, and dedication. That’s me above with two brilliant women who I now call friends – Penn State professor of English (with very fortunate students) Susan Squier, on my right. Next to her is the talented Vancouver-based totally real-cartoonist, Tangles creator Sarah Leavitt.
There’s much more to say about this conference, of course, and it will unfold over time. Lots & lots of photos. The panelists, keynotes, and workshops were so inspiring. It moved me deeply to learn about the work people are doing in medicine with comics.The New York Times agrees. Gleefully back at work with the tech pen and watercolors – never more clear sighted that what we’re doing in Comics & Medicine is of value.
What we hoped and dreamed for the conference in Chicago has happened – and, I think I can speak for the organizers when I say, exceeded our expectations.
Reflecting on the experience of organizing the conference, I recall keynote speaker Scott McCloud’s four pieces of advice on work, which I have kept in mind since reading them in my graduate studies:
1. learn from everyone
2. copy no one
3. recognize patterns
4. work like hell
If I had to put forth a few lessons I’ve learned about work from the conference, I’d say:
1. Keep your eye on the ball & stay one step ahead of it.
2. Pursue what you dream, certain it can come to fruition
3. Make sure what you dream isn’t all about yourself. If it is, you might want to consider expanding that circle, because there are a lot of amazing people out there waiting to join you.