I just found out today that my former webcomics teacher, Jeremy Wade Mullins, died in a hiking accident. This site sums up his contributions to the comic community very well:
http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/jeremy_mullins_rip/
I am such a state of shock. I just can’t believe it. He was the one who inspired me to work on a webcomic…. in fact, he helped me set up my first autobiographical journal comic, and taught me all about how to use Comicpress. He was the one who got me into the Seqalab podcast. I was looking forward to taking grad classes with him. I took it for granted that he would be teaching at SCAD and inspiring students for many more years.
He was a really fun, interesting, and extremely sympathetic teacher and friend. He helped me with things outside of class all the time, and took every opportunity to look out for SCAD students. In all honesty, I can’t think of a single bad thing to say about him. He was a great inspiration to me, and I can’t even begin to comprehend that he is gone. We had made plans to work together on my portfolio website, and now I don’t know how to continue. (No, literally, he wrote the whole script so far. I’ll have to start it over.) That’s not the point, obviously, but I don’t know if I can ever look at the website now without thinking about him. I can’t believe what a huge loss this is.
Thank you so much for everything, Sweetwater. You were a huge inspiration to me, and I will never forget your help and motivating words. I’m proud to have been your student, and I honestly believe that you have marked a huge difference in the path I will take.
P.S. Here is his webcomic website:
http://sweetwaterisanasshole.com/
Despite how much he tries to convince you, he really isn’t an asshole at all. =P
I know if Sweetwater were here, he’d have something clever and awesome to say to make us all crack up and stop crying our little baby tears. I’ll miss his spectacularly distinctive laugh. He may be gone, but his legacy will live on in all his student’s work. That’s what’s up, Sweetwater. Thank you for everything.
Sorry to hear that. I wish I had something to say. Sounds like an awesome guy.
My deepest sympathies for your loss. If he ever visited this site, I know he was very proud of you.
Long time reader, first time commenter… I am so sorry for your loss, I followed the link to his webcomic and after going through the archives I feel even more saddened that this brilliant, funny and quirky man passed… My condolences
I am so sorry to hear this, I really know how attached students can become to an awesome teacher, and I can’t even start to imagine how I’d feel if the same happened to me. I can tell from not just your words but also the amount of dedication you’ve planned out. It’s a terrible incident, and I can’t hope for my words to help you, wish I could be there to give you a big, big hug. The computer screen is both a wonderful tool and a horrible hindrance depending on the situation. It’s too early to say things like “gotta move on”, so appreciate the memories of him while they’re still vivid, cause I believe every person is worth remembering, not to mention someone you deeply loved and respected… Well, from all you said about him I can really feel what an awesome person he’d be to have around, I an truly and deeply sorry for your loss.
By the way, for what it’s worth, I was really looking forward to seeing your portfolio website coming out, I’ve been checking on it a few times, and I’m sure he was really looking forward to seeing it completed as well.
I feel like no one really knows what to say in a situation like this… so I guess all I can say is: I’m sorry, and deepest sympathies.
So sorry honey. Having a mentor is such a treasure; losing one (and so soon!) is truly a theft. *hug*
There are no words to heal your loss, but know that countless stranger (ie your fans) are thinking of you and sending their prayers/thoughts/wishes your way.
I hope with all sincerity that you will heal from this loss – and I know you and all of Sweetwater’s students will carry on his teachings and creativity. The beautiful thing about teachers is they live on through their students even after they’re gone. I know, that’s so lame, but I really believe it.
Rest in peace, Mr. Mullins. He sounds like such an amazing man. My deepest sympathies for your loss.
I am very sorry for your loss. It’s tragic for one to die so suddenly, and I am sure he deserved to live much longer.
I’m sorry to hear that. I know how you feel, one of my best teachers in university recently passed away. I’ve met many people in my job who studied with him and all of us have fond memories of him.
What NaomiKnight17 has said is true, teachers live on through their students. The best thing you could do for him is having success, I’m sure he would have loved that.
I’m really sorry to hear about your loss. You have my sympathies. I know what it’s like to lose someone who’s had a huge impact on your life, especially when it’s well before their time. All I can say is, honor his memory and pass on the gifts he gave to you. In that way, he will live on in spirit. Below is a poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti that I saw on a subway train the night my mother died. It brought me comfort then and I hope it will do the same for you.
Sandinista Avioncitos
The little airplanes of the heart
with their brave little propellers
What can they do
against the winds of darkness
even as butterflies are beaten back
by hurricanes
yet do not die
They lie in wait wherever
they can hide and hang
their fine wings folded
and when the killer-wind dies
they flutter forth again
into the new-blown light
live as leaves
Lawrence Ferlinghetti (b. 1919)
Yamino I am truly sorry to hear that,it seems alot of my favorite webcomic artists are losing people the love lately,along with many other people I know.I guess that answers my previous question of which SCAD school you went to seeing as how your mentor was from Georgia (the state I am from).Like Kenrae and Namoi said,I don’t think any mere words from us fans could mend the pain you’re having to endure now,all I can do is offer my empathy and give some advice.
I know Sweetwater meant alot to you and helped craft you into the artist and person you are now,and it shows.He may not be here now,but the best you can do to honor him is to keep pressing forward with your work and not forget the things he taught you.He armed you and his other students with the knowledge and sincerity that many people do not get to prepare themselves in life.From what you have said and what I checked out on his site,he seemed like the energetic and caring person to whom many should be themselves in their own unique way,and I hope even with his passing it doesn’t deter you from your path.I myself wish I had someone who was that big of on influence on me (or in the very least,known them just abit longer to motivate me more),then I wouldn’t be going through some of the things I’m dealing with now.
That aside,I have faith you will do great things,and if it matters,you are one of the many inspirations that make me want to get better with my own art.I really hope you manage to get over teachers passing and continue with putting your portfolio together.I expect great things to become of you as long as you don’t waver from your path.
I’m sorry about your loss.
I looked at his website and he seemed like one of those awesome once-in-a-lifetime people that really have an impact on people’s lives.
It reminds how abruptly a life can end..
Oh no! At first, I was kinda annoyed cuz I saw the blank page and I was like, “No comic update again!? Sheesh” but then I saw the RIP and I felt like a huge selfish jerkface. I’m really sorry about the loss of your friend. It was kind of chilling to learn about your friend’s death and where he died because I used to date a guy from Woodstock, NY and we would go hiking by the falls and I’d swim in the pool at the bottom of the falls. It’s such a beautiful place and I am at least comforted that his passing was in a place of such beauty, filled with nature’s spirit. RIP Mister Mullins.
I am…sorry about your loss.
It’s sad that’s about all i can do for you right now.
My condolences and deepest sympathies for your loss. I really hope that this man’s good deeds will be honored in the afterlife…..
Very sorry to hear… I can only imagine what it could be like. T_T
Long time lurker, first time posting. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest sympathies.
It is a shame that some of the most inspiring individuals we meet are often taken from us before their time.
I am so sorry for your loss. It’s so hard to lose those that are inspirations to us. And from what you said, it sounds like he was just a genuinely good, honest person.
Very sorry to hear it, kiddo (I call all friends kiddo, old or young). It’s tough losing friends and teachers, much less relatives, and close ones are all the worse. My condolences.
I came by this site last night and this was the first I had heard of his passing. First I was shocked, followed by denial, and then saddness. Now I feel both saddened and a huge sense of loss. I owe so much to Sweetwater. He was always happy to lend a hand. The fact that my web-site works is largely because of him. I learned so much from him and his classes. I guess it sounds corny, but in what he taught us, he lives on in a way. I’ll never forget how great a guy he was, as well as all of the comic related lessons he taught us. Even if he made a web-site chronicling being an “asshole”, we know he wasn’t.
I can’t say, “I know how you feel” because everyone is different and mourns in different ways, but I know that we owe a lot to him. He will always be remembered.
Holy cow, that’s sad news. I graduated 2007 from SCAD and was a SEQA major myself, that’s sad news. Seems lots of misfortune has befallen the department in the past 2 years.
The same thing happened to a friend of mine back in 2004. He was hiking, got separated, and plunged off a slippery cliff. It’s not easy to lose someone like that, but remembering the good in that person makes it tolerable.
Very sorry to hear something like this, losing ppl is never easy, especially if the had such a huge inpact on your life. I give strength to u. and peace to him. May the gods watch over u both amen.
My sincere condolences.
He was half brother. Its amazing there were so many wonderful things to say about him.
Yamino, I am terribly sorry for your loss. It’s always hard to lose a loved one or mentor, especially so young as he was. I am grateful that he was such an inspiration and source of guidance for you and others – some professors see their students as passing numbers and grades, very few treat their students like colleagues. I am lucky to be at a program at my school where the professors get to know you and enjoy having long conversations about relevant topics (even basing some of the class sessions on our own interests) Really helping us grow as professionals and individuals.
Reading his website, and yours and others comments, it seems like he was someone who lived life to the FULLEST in ALL aspects. That is truly admirable and a lesson to be learned and appreciated by everyone. I cannot say to you “time heals all wounds” because even more than 10 years later, I am still grieving the death of my grandfather (who seemed very similar to your professor in some ways) but I can tell you that I know he is proud of you, as I know my grandfather is of me. Remember the good times and bring them with you everywhere you go – take his lessons you cherish and bring them, share them with others. You can be that mentor now, the one that he was to you.
Finally, please take care of yourself. Don’t feel like you have to work on Sister Claire for us – do so when you are ready. Sometimes it’s just best to cry, to get it all out. I appreciate the hard work and care you take into doing this comic, and the consideration you give us when you are late updating due to life circumstances. I wish you the very best – I will keep you in my thoughts, and say prayers for him and his family <3
You forgot the “t” in sweetwater in your title.
I’m sorry to hear about his death, I hope he does rock it out with God, sounds like a guy that deserves to, Rest in peace x
I didn’t know there was such a thing as a webcomics class… This guy clearly did a great job. I hope I can leave that kind of legacy behind
I am sorry for your loss. You have my deepest condolences. May he rest in peace.
I’m sorry for your loss, it’s completely understandable why the comic would be delayed, this guys sounds pretty cool, he seems like he was one of those invincible people who could never be put down, so the fact that he died is really shocking… But please, take your time, put this comic off for a few days if you have to, just relax, and most importantly, try to cheer up.
I was really sorry to hear about this. I’ve been listening to the SEQALab podcast for awhile, and he really sounds like one of those educators who not only cares, but makes a big difference in the lives of his students. Truly that is the best legacy one can ask for.
A lot of things are happening in your life, I’m really sorry for your loss
R.I.P
You’re in my prayers. R.I.P.
i’m very sorry for your loss. may he rest in peace
thats sad…And if he helped bring out sister clare then i am sure he is giveing Everyone up in the heavns a great party!
May he R.I.P. =/
I’m not really good with these things. (I don’t speak English as my main language, so I don’t have the proper words for these situations) But I’m really sorry for your loss.
I hope his soul may rest in peace, and if he helped you make such a grand work like this webcomic, I’m sure he was a great person as well, so he’ll probably be fine in the afterlife.
Again sorry for my low leveled English.
Don’t worry, and don’t be sad, he’s in a better place now. =)
Keep up the excellent work!
I just finished reading all of his comics up on that site.
This truly is a terrible loss. That guy, just from what I got from his comics and witty editorials, seemed awesome.
My deep condolences.
Hey. Yamino. I didn’t realize that you went to scad. It never clicked to me. I have a bunch of good friends that went there. Drop me an email and we’ll see if we know any of the same ppl. And I’m sad to hear about Mr. Mullins. I met him when I was touring schools last year. Seemed pretty cool. I guess only the good die young.
No need to apologize for the lateness. Things come up. That’s life.
i read his webcomic, and i dont think i’ve ever laughed as hard as i did reading them. as i went through the archives, i kept thinking about how it sucked i didn’t know about this talented, unique person before. big fan of yours as well, and i hope your doing ok….and i hope all our comments help.
I’m in animation and i never met sweetwater, but his death has sent shock waves through many of my friends. He must have been a very amazing man.
May God embrace him amen
My deepest condolences for your loss, Yamino.
he seems like he was an epic teacher.
RIP Sweetwater.