Artwork by ECU student Tim Weaver was selected for inclusion in the 2012 Society of Illustrators Student Competition, scheduled for May in New York, N.Y. (Contributed photo)

GOING FOR IT
ECU art student accepted into NYC competition

March 28, 2012

By Rachel Castro
ECU News Services

East Carolina University senior Tim Weaver, a BFA illustration concentration student in the School of Art and Design, has been accepted into the 2012 Society of Illustrators Student Competition in New York, N.Y.

Joan Mansfield, associate professor in the College of Art and Design, submitted several pieces of Weaver’s for consideration. His piece, “Monster,” was one of 254 illustrations selected for the competition from approximately 8,000 submitted entries.

“Faculty are asked to submit only the strongest student work in terms of craft, technical skill, concept and originality. I chose Tim's work for all those reasons,” Mansfield said.

“Tim's acceptance into the competition this year further validates to me that our illustration program is nationally competitive,” she said.

Weaver, of White Oak, began drawing by looking to cartoons as inspiration. He drew Doug Funny from the “Doug” cartoon as a child, he said. Around the sixth grade, Weaver began to take his hobby more seriously.

A year after he graduated high school, Weaver decided to make art a career goal.

“It’s really hard to make up your mind to be an art major in this day and age with the economy the way it is, honestly, but I went for it,” he said.

Weaver spoke highly of ECU’s art department and the support of professors like Mansfield, who told him about the competition when he first got into the program two years ago.

“The art program taught me a lot about craft and anatomy, as well as use of color.  That is imperative, and I am highly grateful for that,” said Weaver.

The annual competition will feature an exhibit showcasing the chosen students’ works in May. Weaver will be in attendance. Most of all, he said he is looking forward to having a chance to network at the event.

“Nothing is more important in art than who you know. They can get you jobs better than you ever would on your own. Plus I've always wanted to meet more illustrators,” said Weaver, who specializes in drawing comic books.

“I just finished coloring one from an anthology called Spera: Volume II which I had drawn over the summer but didn’t have time to color until now,” he said. That work should be out this summer.

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