Statement of Intent

 

Throughout my career, I have chosen to build a life and legacy through direct engagement with the world, rather than waiting for traditional academic settings. As an independent scholar, my journey is shaped by the principle of Narrative Persistence. After overcoming a significant brain injury, I turned to the disciplined curriculum of the Art Instruction School, using its formal structure as a tool for cognitive recovery and personal transformation. This period of self-renewal laid the groundwork for my current research, which approaches art not only as an object of study but as a dynamic bridge between biology and psychology.

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My evolution from recovery to professional mastery is reflected in my published works and the founding of Hey Girl Production Storyboard Creations. Surviving a life-threatening sepsis infection in 2024 has further refined my focus, inspiring a deeper exploration of the 'Quiet Strength' embodied by Marine Corps veterans—a study in resilience that resonates with my own experiences. I bring to my prospective PhD a unique blend of survivor-driven research and interdisciplinary expertise that sets my path apart from conventional academic routes.

In my research, I introduce Visual Historiography as a vital tool for capturing military memory beyond written records. Traditional archives may chronicle dates and deployments, but they often miss the sensory realities that define the Marine Corps experience. Through sequential storyboard narratives, I reconstruct the aesthetics of the mid-1980s—from the stark lighting of North Carolina evenings to the tactile authenticity of 'pickle suit' uniforms and cultural markers like the silver Walkman and the 1979 Dodge Magnum. These visual elements serve as anchors for a generation’s identity.

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My work centers on the 'Quiet Strength' of the 1/8 and 3/8 Beirut Veterans, translating trauma and resilience into cinematic language. This approach demonstrates that storyboarding is not just a creative tool but a scholarly method capable of bridging the divide between historical fact and the deeply lived emotional truths of those who served.

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The central objective of my research is Applied Legacy. Through Hey Girl Production Storyboard Creations, I transform academic visual historiography into tangible commemorative works for the veteran community. My practice functions as a Living Archive for the families of the 1/8 and 3/8 Marines, providing a visual vocabulary for experiences that defy easy expression. By engaging directly with the Beirut Veteran community and bypassing traditional gallery gatekeepers, I offer a model of Participatory Scholarship that ensures the memory of the 241 lost in 1983, and the 'Quiet Strength' of those who rebuilt, is woven into the community’s cultural fabric. My work bridges rigorous historical study and personal remembrance, demonstrating art’s essential role in healing and historical justice.

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With 40 years of independent practice as a professional artist and published author, I am seeking entry into a Practice-Based PhD program via APEL/Equivalency, remotely. My lifelong body of work and current research into Marine Corps Visual Historiography serve as evidence of my readiness for doctoral-level study.

Grounded in the traditional correspondence-based discipline that defined 20th-century American illustration—a method demanding exceptional self-motivation—I have built a robust interdisciplinary portfolio. My contributions include:

• Literary Achievement: Author of two published volumes, Carpe Diem and Little Girl: Almost Famous, demonstrating sustained narrative skill and public engagement.

• Literary Rigor: Active participation in the Harriette Austin Writers Conference at the University of Georgia, reflecting a history of peer review and professional literary engagement.

• Multimedia Composition & Collaboration: Extending my practice into music and film, including songwriting for "Love Lift Me Up" with the late guitarist John Fristoe III, and the creation of the cult-narrative film project Chickenstine: Redneck Vampire.

• Collaborative Legacy: My artistic partnerships, especially with John Fristoe III, highlight my ability to direct and realize complex creative visions across various media.

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Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to sharing my creative journey and research with your community.

Best regards,

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Independent Scholar, Practice-Based PhD Candidate (APEL Entry)

Edna Hudson Stewart

Hey Girl Production Storyboard Creations