"SKY PUP" is a 12-page, fully illustrated comic book series that showcases dynamic, easy to follow storytelling that can be enjoyed by readers of all skill levels. The series introduces the character of Sky Pup, a black Labrador dog with a house that doubles as a single propeller plane - a direct homage to the Peanuts characters, Snoopy and the Red Barron. In the first issue, Sky Pup gets into a game of fetch that goes wildly astray. Following installments will bring on other characters in the 'SKY PUP' universe, namely Sky Pup's brothers and rivals - Jet Cat and Crank Tank. The trio go on to have highly imaginative adventures around their world - a fictionalized version of East Central Indiana. Told in a 'slice of life' way, with an aesthetic style that can appeal to first time readers or comic art enthusiasts. As a title, "SKY PUP" celebrates the region's place in American Pop Culture and takes inspirations from notable local sources. Such as Jim Davis with his comic strip -...

My project is based on a collection of Keepsake Boxes I am currently working on. The collection is inspired by Mr Vore and his love for animals. I am in the early stages of creating a collection with four character dogs. Dalmatian named Dalmatian is fictional. The other three are Bboy my dog and Popsicle and Karma a couple of friends and followers on Facebook. I have started generating excitement by sharing short silly stories about the dogs and their adventures. It is starting to generate some excitement and curiosity. I have figured out a way to put these dogs onto a box. I collaborate with a local artist. I design the images and she prints onto rice paper. I then apply to the box. The collection will have one size box starting at $50. This is a basic box with standard hardware. Anything additional is $10 up to $25. Each of the character dogs boxes will include a small metal fleur di lis on the back between the two hinges. By generating excitement is then start getting the...

Project Maya Doss Art Print Club would use the loan for the creation of a Patreon account (a monthly subscription service where people recieve an artwork of mine every month), production of art merchandise, and funding for initial start-up costs. Patreon itself is free, and allows you to create different subscription tiers based on how someone wants to support you. For my art business, I would like to offer a tip jar tier ($3/ month), a print club tier ($8/ month), and a print club + extra support tier ($13/ month). The idea is that once someone subscribes to the print club tier, they will be sent an original artwork from me in the form of a postcard/ mini print. It is supposed to be similar to the idea of a pen pal, only noone has to send me anything back other than their subscription fee. I currently have an Instagram following of 997, 3 short of 1,000. My goal is to begin posting more promotional, educational, and personal content on specifically my art Instagram account to...

Pressing Matters is an intergenerational community art initiative centered around Gelli printing, an accessible monoprinting technique that requires no press and produces vibrant, unique prints. This project will connect diverse community members—from young children to older adults—through a series of workshops held at community venues in Muncie, Indiana. The project will culminate in a collaborative exhibition that showcases the collective artwork at prominent locations during the community’s First Thursday Art Walk. Project Goals 1. Create accessible art-making opportunities for community members of all ages and skill levels 2. Foster intergenerational connections and community building through shared creative experiences 3. Increase participants' confidence in their artistic abilities and creative expression 4. Showcase the power of collaborative art through public exhibitions 5. Creative placemaking through positive shared experiences with art, community, and Muncie’s...

"Righteous Gemstones 2" will be the second in a series music releases by local recording artist MRKBH and produced by Vermont native Rico James. The money requested will cover the cost of a featured guest appearance by a formerly major label recording artist on one of the songs on the project. The timeline for recording and release of this p will be 3 months (from April-June) with a mid to late summer release. My audience will be both local and global (I access a global audience via my label's mailing list that I have accumulated over the years). This includes fans in places like Switzerland, France, and Germany. My goal is to release and profit from a successful release rollout and the securing the aforementioned featured guest artist on one of the songs will play a significant role in achieving that goal.

I will educate others on the importance of creativity and how to be confident while doing it. I will do this by hosting 4 workshops starting in the late summer/early fall 2025. I will also host a holiday workshop in 2025. In 2026 I will host two spring workshops focusing on Mothers Day and Graduation. The workshops will be me teaching how to make a keepsake box. This is a product I have worked on over the last three years and people absolutely love them and I’m quickly figuring out they also love to make their own. I sit back and watch people look at these when they open them and often times gasp. That’s what it’s all about! In the previous workshops I have hosted I give them creative freedom. I will suggest ways but I always make sure to explain it is your project as long as you like it that is what counts. I never knew I had a creative mind until early 2021 maybe if I had been encouraged I would have discovered this amazing gift prior to 2021. This gift has brought me so much...