Quote from the Artist (Ross Loehner):

It was fun. A lot of work in a short period of time, but totally worth it. Definitely incorporated ideas I have gained in the program (Masters in Leadership Development) when developing out the characters and helping with the story. Please go ahead and share the cover and story as desired. There is a digital version that can be found at: http://issuu.com/chapmanu/docs/spark-comic-complete-v5/1

Ross Loehner

Ross Loehner, the Artist and Author for ChampanNow SPARK: A completely unexpected, off-the-deep-end Summer 2015 issue of Chapman Magazine

Not that anyone could ever be bored during a staff meeting at Chapman University, but somehow Chapman Magazine editors learned that Web content manager Ross Loehner ’04 (MLD ’16) does the best doodles ever.

Now Loehner’s talent for illustration is out there for all to enjoy.

When the editors decided to re-imagine this special summer issue of Chapman Now as a fanciful graphic novel, they knew they could draw on Loehner’s digital artistry. But they also knew they could count on his talent for collaborating with other creative storytellers.

“A graphic novel gives you free reign to have fun telling a story. I really like when art and communication come together,” said Loehner, whose day job is helping to tell compelling visual stories on Chapman’s website.

Loehner has been drawing since he was a child, and these days his free time often finds him in the glow of his home computer, creating “goofy, weird characters” with an electronic pen and graphic-pad tablet.

Interestingly, art study was not the centerpiece of Loehner’s Chapman undergrad experience. Instead he focused on communication advertising, fueling his passion for being the “best communicator possible.”

The experimentation that drove this story connects more with his ongoing Chapman graduate studies in leadership development, Loehner says.

“The program is definitely pushing me beyond what’s comfortable,” he notes. “It has opened me up to the social impact of my work and the power of art to drive change.”

The chance to bring to life the characters on these pages flipped Loehner’s own power switch. And this won’t be his last graphic-driven story, although the next one might look very different.

“This story doesn’t have enough giant monsters, ” he says with a smile. “My next one will have 40-foot robots.”

Chapman Magazine (USPS #007643) is published quarterly by Chapman University. © 2015. Chapman University

 

Penny BryanWe encourage our students to think creatively and express their knowledge in original ways. Here is one terrific example of using your strengths in service of leadership and making a better world.

-Penny Bryan, Professor and Faculty Coordinator, Masters in Leadership Development Program (MLD)

http://www.chapman.edu/ces/graduate/leadership.aspx