Experience launches junior's art career
Barisic publishes 500th comic, continues three-year pursuit

By Gigi Thao,
Writer
April 30, 2012

With the hope of getting recruited to CalArts, junior Katie Barisic has devoted her high school career to drawing illustrations, spending countless hours publishing The Feather Online's daily comic, "The Good Times."

"I would love to go into animation, graphic cartooning and movies," Barisic said. "Some day, I eventually want to work for. I really want to work for Disney, and CalArts was started by Disney, so, it's just where the roots are and getting in would really test my skills."

Barisic joined the publication class during her freshman year. Unknowingly, she took the job of illustrator after alumnus Daniel Hopper, '09, graduated. At first, Barisic was sentimental about joining the class, and even less excited for added responsibilities.

"I started making comics because my sister suggested that I do it, but I'm glad I did," Barisic said. "I have learned different styles of art and that you shouldn't take on something like this without giving it some serious thought."

Despite the ease in the release of the first few comics, Barisic soon struggled to find quirky ideas and events for her characters. However, she soon understood that the struggle of coming up with ideas could be easily solved by simply discussing possible topics with family and friends.


"A lot of times I was just lazy and plain, not wanting to, but at the last minute I would just do it {the comic}," Barisic said. "I usually waited until 12:30 at night, then I would ask around the house and wake up my sisters and ask for ideas. Sometimes, I just pick up on the story line."

It's been three years since she began and Barisic recently published her 500th comic, May 3. For Barisic, this number marks the change from procrastination to dedication. While at first she had thought of the comics as a long term project, she has begun to see a greater outcome from all the work she has put into her comics.

"It gives me a sense of purpose, it's worth the dedication and it's great for college," Barisic said. "Other than that it's halfway to 1000 it's not that big of a deal. I'm not ever going to stop though."

Barisic puts in multiple hours each day as she usually completes the piece in one sitting. Barisic hopes to continue as the illustrator until she graduates. By then, she hopes to have drawn over 650 comics.

"They range from about two to two and a half hours, I can do a quick one in 30 minutes," Barisic said. "Usually, I do it all in one sitting by drawing them in pen then finishing them in pencil. I've estimated that I'll have over 600 comics by the time I graduate, possibly 650."

As technology has evolved over the years, so have Barisic's own personal talent. She says that compared to her comics now, her drawings have significantly improved.

"I know that I have definitely changed my design because I've gotten better at drawing," Barisic said. "And now when I look back on my first year, I'm embarrassed at how bad it really is."

To view Barisic's 500th comic, click here. For more information about Barisic, read the Feb. 1, 2011 article, Illustrator passes 250-comic mark. To read her comics, visit the Daily Comic on the right of The Feather's homepage.

For more feature articles, read the April 26 article, Esterlyn lead shares modest start.



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