Last Call

Morgan McAllister DiPietro is a basketball jock turned art student. For many years she refused to acknowledge her interests in the arts even though she loved painting and collaging for her friends. After earning a business communications degree from Bentley University (Waltham, MA), and spending two years as an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer (Providence, RI), Morgan finally decided to get real. She packed up and headed home to Maine to attend the Maine College of Art (MECA). While in school, Morgan fell in love with everything about graphic design—typography, shape, color, collage, installation, logos, branding, packaging, web, etc. Her decision to follow her bliss proved to be the right one.

This blog documents Morgan's experience in art school between the years of 2009 and February of 2011. When she first arrived at MECA, she was still shy and unsure about her abilities as an artist. So as a way to feel more comfortable about sharing her work with others, Morgan started this blog. Little did she know how paramount this method of expression would be for her. Over the next three years, not only did Morgan proudly showcase her art and design work, she also began to write about other things happening in her life. This writing coupled with her newfound artistic abilities allowed her to reflect and make connections she never knew existed; ultimately creating new purpose and intention for her life.

As you cruise around this site, you will read about how Morgan works her ass off in school, meets new kick-ass friends and mentors, falls in love with a local bakery, is awarded a years supply of free beer from a local brewery, pokes fun at her relationship with her mom, discusses her love for whoopie pies, makes a lot of holga pictures, honors her past as a serious basketball player, starts a chain gang, bakes a boatload of cupcakes and cookies, doodles and collages in her sketchbooks, makes one basketball video, and turns her basement into a blue ball factory, among other things.

After school ended in the spring of 2011, Morgan stumbled through the summer with a handful of freelance design jobs and a full-time gig as a signmaker at Whole Foods. As a signmaker, Morgan's favorite part of the job was handing out free pretzels to frazzled customers during the stupid-busy holiday season. Then finally, in March, the kick-ass designers of a small agency named Might & Main hired Morgan as a full-time graphic designer. This was the kind of job she envisioned for herself way before she started at MECA. Actually, it was the whole reason she went back to school in the first place. Huzzah!

So yes, the MECA adventure is over, which really means it's last call for this blog. The past three years have been life-changing for Morgan, and it's pretty awesome to have it all documented with words and pictures right here. Also in March, she finally moved out of her mom's house and is now living in Portland's West End. When people ask her what she does for a living she still gets butterflies: "I'm a graphic designer." Whoa. She really did make that shit happen.

To keep tabs on Morgan's new adventures in life and design, check out her new blog.

Curious where to start around here? Morgan considers these 5 entries a decent introduction:

Basketball Jock Goes to Art School
I Am Here: Thesis Maps
Road Trip 20(__)
GT's in San Francisco
Ball of Confusion
You Know You Will Mom

Good Morning from the new APT

Let's Hear it for the Boys

This is my favorite picture from the move. Jay and Chris are in the middle of figuring out how the hell they are going to get my very long and heavy couch down a very narrow stairwell. This was the piece of furniture I was most nervous about. When my mom and I moved in 7 years ago, even the professional movers had a hard time carrying the couch up to the 3rd floor. So how were a couple of amateurs like Jay and Chris going to get the job done? Pretty easily actually. Three false starts and then they were out the door, loading it onto the truck.

I view myself as a very independent, strong, capable woman...I can do anything you can do. In fact, I am insulted when someone says I can't do something—including moving that darn couch. But, I must say, it was really nice to not have to move it. Jay and Chris, thanks for your muscles.

Moving Day Eve

The last time I was about to move out of the house I got a little sentimental. Psht...not this time around. Below is what life has been like this past week.

Geo-Love

New Collages: Shift

Ski House 2012

I just spent the past week up in Bethel, ME hanging out with friends in a beautiful cabin and learning how to snowboard for the first time at Sunday River. My friend Chris planned the entire trip way back in September and we were all super psyched to go. He is a designer too. None of us were surprised when a week before, we received our official "Ski House itinerary" packet complete with an original Ski House identity. Of course Chris was going to brand the event.

Lots of signage, guest souvenirs (branded beer and chocolate) and even a Ski House mascot (more on that later) were scattered throughout the cabin. Chris is one hell of a host.

By day we hit the slopes at Sunday River where I took my very first snowboarding lesson. Equipped with hand-me-down gear from head to toe (snowpants 3 sizes too big!), I spent the day riding, falling and crawling around on the snow. It was awesome and despite the bruises, I plan to do more of it. 

After a long day on the mountain we figured the best way to relax was to hit the bar for some yummy beers and pub food. 

And back at the house, we ate homemade lasagna and garlic bread while enjoying each other's company. 

Chris hosted a "Snowman Swap" on the third night of Ski House. How 'bout that Snowman!? All gifts had to be purchased within 5-10 miles of our cabin. The order of the swap was decided by a glow stick toss out on the frozen lake which our cabin looked onto.

After hours included intense games of Scattegories, breakdancing, and all-around ridiculousness. I cannot wait to do this again next year. Right, Chris?

Thanks Chris, Ashley, Rachel, Kelsey, Vee and Jeremy for making Ski House 2012 such a righteous time. Two thumbs up.

January 7

burfday