Artist Biography
Marissa Haralambides is a graduating senior graphic design major at Endicott College who grew up in small Bristol, Rhode Island. A love for illustration has been ingrained in her since she first followed the A Kid’s Guide to Drawing book series in her elementary school library. Her admiration for the medium grew as she became enamored with story-driven narratives through animated tv shows/movies, video games, and books. While illustrating and experiencing these narratives she liked photography, playing music, and spending time with her close family members. What she did struggle with was being too much of a people pleaser, being too anxious to speak for herself, and being very fearful of not amounting to what she thought people expect of her. In high school, she took graphic design courses and loved the designer’s goal to skillfully represent clients and connect to their audience. Combining her interests and struggles Marissa wants to create compelling work to reach out to those like herself whose stories want to be told. After graduating Marissa strives to dual wield her love for illustration and graphic design to pursue a fulfilling career in the entertainment industry or branding agency.
Check out more of Marissa’s work: https://mharalamc104.myportfolio.com/
Reach out to Marissa at: [email protected]
Thesis Abstract
The Spinneret is an over 100-page choose-your-own-adventure graphic novel following Kory, the main protagonist who has anxiety. The reader is placed in her shoes and throughout the book learns about Kory’s relationships with her work, friends, and family to make decisions represented by a diamond motif in the book for Kory in times of stress. Depending on the choice made the reader will lead Kory down different endings. Choices where Kory chooses to rest from overworking and talking with loved ones she can reflect on her anxieties to embrace them as a part of herself (Acceptance End). Choices where Kory overworks herself and pushes her friend away she becomes swallowed by her anxiety (Depression End, Oblivious End, Cognitive Dissonance End).
Kory is very proficient at her job as a stalker (monster) trapper, reliable to friends and the backbone of her family yet internally feels turmoil from keeping up facades. Kory feels responsible for everyone’s safety and well-being and is willing to put herself over others despite the negative impacts it has on her as seen in the dark patch shaded under her eyes. With more pressures adding to her life and a lack of self-reflection, she struggles with what her subconscious is trying to communicate to her in her dreams, illustrated in vivid neon pink, purple, and dark blue. What she has yet to figure out is these stalkers she has been repressing are the physical manifestations of her and his communities anxieties. The more they’re suppressed the stronger they grow.
While for entertainment purposes and is an outlet for self-expression, The Spinneret novel
serves as an outlet to learn new struggles and provide guidance on how decision-making can affect mental health.
Thank you to the people in my life who helped me through tough times.