Teaching Philosophy
The goal of an arts education is not only to develop the expression and craft of emerging artists, but also to prepare them for the rhythm of an artistic life. There’s no single path to success. I believe the classroom can provide the tools and skills to build individual artistic rhythms; leading students to become thoughtful, lifelong artists.
My approach to curriculum employs Bloom’s Taxonomy, taking student art practice from the basic to the complex. As working artists are rarely given the opportunity to indulge in a career of pure production, so my student have lessons enriched with history, academic study of the medium and insights into professional practice. Readings that highlight the diversity of comics are essential for students seeking to understand the cultural context of their own work and the work of their colleagues. Critical comics, illustrations, and essays allow students to exercise their cartooning and analytical skills while exploring the form of the comic essay.
As a leader in a business environment, I have found a great deal of success when teammates are invested in each other’s triumphs. I have experienced the same dynamic in the classroom. Peer critique is essential towards that investment, with the instructor acting as a guiding voice towards productive and useful feedback. It is an essential mission to me, as a creator and educator, that respect permeate all critique activities with a celebration of diverse experiences, opinions, and expressions. A peer critique is an ideal opportunity to practice soft skills that translate into professional and social environments.
Lastly, I place great value on the quality of effort expended. A successful artist can rarely be made from a mediocre effort and it is important to set the standards high for even the most accomplished students. That means individual assessment of achievement levels, allowing each student to grow at a pace that is challenging. I will ask students to be uncomfortable. The space for failure exists in that environment, a condition that I think is essential to the foundation of an artistic life. I will ask my students to try, fail, and try again; the embodiment of quality effort. Students who hope to perform art as a lifetime activity must come to understand that failure is not a closed door, but an opportunity to grow in unexpected directions.
My students leave the classroom with sets of terminology, tools, skills, and relationships that can be used as a foundation to an artistic life. Students will have thought critically, written analytically, and cartooned both narratively and didactically. Coupled with those exercises is the opportunity to express themselves verbally and lend useful critique to fellow artists. My goal is to help students discover a lifetime of art-making, with the tools to express themselves, the flexibility to adjust to changing priorities, and the passion to put forth a full effort without the guarantee of success.
Artist Statement
I love exploring personal narratives: the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. In my comics, characters confront and re-evaluate their personal narratives, modeling a process of growth that can be painful, de-stabilizing and difficult, but very healthy and often necessary to create better relationships with others and self. This evaluation often circles around the concepts of personal responsibility, familial connection, and moral re-evaluation. I’m also deeply interested in the concepts of Humanist and Existential philosophy, and my characters are engaged with re-defining their morality in a godless world and choosing the meaningful projects of their lives.
Depicting this process of re-evaluation in children’s and teen’s fiction can provide a framework as they begin that process themselves, and my aim is to create a text that readers can revisit as they grow. Comics are an excellent vehicle for that exploration, as the medium requires an active mind from the reader, interpreting the relationships between images and words, and creating narrative connections. That mental activation allows the story to be narrated in the readers’ own voice and intuitive logical framework for the reader. Comics are particularly adept at allowing a reader’s cognitive framework and ability level interpret the work.
EDUCATION
| California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA
Master of Fine Arts in Comics, 2017
| Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts, Oil Painting, 2009
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
| Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, OH,
Assistant Professor Jan 2026 – Present
Chair – Comics & Narrative Practice
Undergraduate Courses:
· Senior Capstone II – Comics & Narrative Practice
· Self Publishing and Creative Practice – CORE
Visiting Professor July 2025 – Dec 2025
Supervised a student worker
Undergraduate Courses:
· Senior Capstone I – Comics & Narrative Practice
· Genre Methods – Comics & Narrative Practice
· Self Publishing and Creative Practice – CORE
Adjunct Professor Jan 2022 – May 2025
Undergraduate Courses:
· Comics and Narrative Illustration I – Liberal Arts
· Comics and Narrative Illustration II – Liberal Arts
· Visual Story Fundamentals – Comics & Narrative Practice
· Self Publishing and Creative Practice – CORE
PUBLICATIONS
| 2027 (planned) “Theresienstadt: Potemkin Village”, Lie Machine, Dave Maass, Patrick Lay, Iron Circus Comics
| 2024 multi-: The Collected Edition, Patrick Lay, Self-published
Death Strikes: The Emperor of Atlantis, Dave Maass, Patrick Lay, Berger Books & Dark Horse Comics
| 2022 “Dadaab Life”, Far Tune: Spring, Terry Eisele, Brent Bowman, Patrick Lay, Self-published
| 2019 Hot Air Balloon, Patrick Lay, Self-published
“Screaming Mimi Kids Pt. 2-3”, Patrick Lay, Self-published
| 2018 Screaming Mimi Kids, Patrick Lay, Self-published webcomic
“Who Ya’ Gonna Call? Pt. 2”, Multi-, Nick Dutro, Patrick Lay, Self-published
“Coughing”, Vagabond Comics Issue #9, Vagabond Comics Collective
Pop!Whiz!Bang!: A Comics Conversation, Meggie Ramm, Patrick Lay, Self-published, Weekly Podcast
| 2017 “Screaming Mimi Kids Pt. 1”, Patrick Lay, Self-published
Ramble, Patrick Lay, Self-published
“Who Ya’ Gonna Call? Pt. 1”, multi-, Nick Dutro, Patrick Lay, Self-published
| 2016 “First Day” in Vagabond Comics Issue #4, Vagabond Comics Collective
“Dance”, Mini-Comic, Self-published
| 2015 “Kids On the Run Pt. 2”, multi-, Nick Dutro, Patrick Lay, Self-published
“Kids On the Run Pt. 1”, multi-, Nick Dutro, Patrick Lay, Self-published
SELECTED COMMISSIONS
| 2024 Illustrations for a Performance of Das Rheingold, Pacific Symphony, Irvine, CA
Graphic Novel Pitch Packet, Haymarket, Paul Axel
| 2023 Graphic Novel Pitch Packet, Sci Fi Comic, Justin McLachlan
BROADER IMPACTS
| 2024 Selected media coverage for Death Strikes: The Emperor of Atlantis at:
AIPTComics.com
BrokenFrontier
CBR – Dynamic Duos Podcast
ComicsBeat.com
ComicBook.com
ComicBookYeti.com
ComicCon.com
Conskipper.com
CreativeBloq
Fanbase Press
Forbes.com
The Forward
Haaretz
IGN.com
The Letterhack Podcast
Opera Wire
Pluralistic.net
Publishers Weekly
Reno News and Review
San Diego Magazine
ScreenRant.com
The Slings & Arrows Graphic Novel Guide
Wayne’s Comic Podcast
TheWrap
WORK FEATURED
| 2025 American Anxieties, “Death Strikes and the Struggle for Memory”, Daniel Ambord, Ph.D., Comic Arts Conference @ San Diego Comic Con, San Diego, CA
AWARDS
| 2025 Winner, Teaching Excellence Award – Adjunct, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH
| 2024 Top Ten Graphic Novels of 2024, New York Public Library, New York, NY
Best Original Graphic Novel of 2024 – Runner Up, IGN.com
Nominated, Teaching Excellence Award – Adjunct, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH
| 2023 Faculty Development & Enrichment Grant, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH
PANELS
| 2026 “Harnessing the Power of Youth: The Role of YA Literature in Combatting Indifference”, Symposium Against Indifference, Ashland University, Ashland, OH
| 2025 “Death Strikes: An Opera Survives WWII and Comes to Comics”, San Diego ComicCon, San Diego, CA
GUEST LECTURES
| 2026 “Death Strikes: Behind the Panels” Co-presented with Dave Maass, Marshall County Highschool, Oklahoma
| 2025 “Writing for Others: Collaboration in Comics”, Craft Talk, MFA in Creative Writing, Ashland University, Ashland, OH
“Death Strikes: Behind the Panels” Co-presented with Dave Maass
Genocide Awareness Week, University of Arizona, Tempe, AZ
North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching Gathering of Holocaust Educators, Virtual
KMAC Contemporary Art Museum, Louisville, KY
| 2024 “Death Strikes: Behind the Panels” Co-presented with Dave Maass
Defiant Requiem Foundation Summer Seminar, Virtual
Music and the Holocaust, UCLA, Virtual
Holocaust Museum LA, Los Angeles, CA
| 2019 “Sing a Song, Draw Along”, A2CAF Program, Ann Arbor, MI
| 2018 Career Summary, Freshman, Thunder Mountain High School, Juneau, AK
| 2017 “Comics are for Everyone”, Fandemonium Youth Group, Ashland Public Library, Ashland, OH
| 2016 “History of Comics in Form and Education”, Regular Board Meeting, Tiffin Art Guild, Tiffin, OH
ARTIST VISITS
| 2025 Addressing Antisemitism Through the Arts, Kentucky Antisemitism Task Force, Louisville, KY
| 2024 Top Ten Graphic Novels of 2024, New York Public Library, New York, NY
Wordfest, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
“Making Comics”, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
WORKSHOPS
| 2019 6th-8th Grade, Juneau Community Charter School, Juneau, AK
| 2018 K-5th Grade, Discovery School, Mansfield, OH
3rd Grade, Mendenhall River School, Juneau, AK
COMIC READINGS
| 2024 Reading from Death Strikes, Dancing in Zinetember, Kafe Kerouac, Columbus, OH
| 2019 Reading from Screaming Mimi Kids, Peztilence 3, CCAD, Columbus, OH
| 2017 Reading from Ramble, SPACE Afterparty, Kafe Kerouac, Columbus, OH
CCA Graduate Comics Reading, California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA
SELECTED CONVENTIONS
| 2025 Cartoon Crossroads Columbus, Columbus, OH
Small Press Expo, Bethesda, MD (attendee)
SPACE, Columbus, OH
| 2024 Genghis Con, Cleveland, OH
Cartoon Crossroads Columbus, Columbus, OH
CAKE, Chicago, IL
American Library Association Conference, San Diego, CA
A2CAF, Ann Arbor, MI
TCAF, Toronto, ON
Emerald City Comic Con, Seattle, WA
| 2019 Genghis Con, Cleveland, OH
Twin Cities Zine Fest, Minneapolis, MN
Small Press Expo, Bethesda, MD
St. Louis Small Press Expo, St. Louis, MO
A2CAF, Ann Arbor, MI
CAKE, Chicago, IL
Alaska Robotics Mini-Con and Comics Camp, Juneau, AK
DiNK, Denver, CO
| 2018 St. Louis Small Press Expo, St. Louis, MO
Cartoon Crossroads Columbus, Columbus, OH
Alaska Robotics Mini-Con and Comics Camp, Juneau, AK
| 2017 Genghis Con, Cleveland, OH
Cartoon Crossroads Columbus, Columbus, OH
SPACE, Columbus, OH
| 2016 Cartoon Crossroads Columbus, Columbus, OH
SPACE, Columbus, OH
EXHIBITIONS
| 2025 Performance of Der Kaiser von Atlantis, Louisville Orchestra, Louisville, KY
| 2024 Death Strikes: Behind the Panels, Washoe County Library, Reno, NV
Drawing Worlds, group exhibition, Ann Arbor Arts Center, Ann Arbor, MI
| 2016 Emanata, group exhibition, California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA
| 2013 Sustainability, group exhibition, The Diane Kidd Gallery, Tiffin University, Tiffin, OH
| 2009 Bachelor’s Degree in the Science of Fine Arts Exhibition, group exhibition, Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
WORK EXPERIENCE
| P.Lay Comics & Illustration, Tiffin, OH
Freelance Graphic Designer & Illustrator April 2015 – Present
Responsibilities:
· Create custom logos, illustrations, marketing materials, and branding for online and print use.
· Communicate quickly and effectively with clients to understand their brand, technical needs, and timeline.
· Manage day-to-day operations, including marketing and accounts receivable.
| MLAD Graphic Services, Tiffin, OH
Graphic Designer Sept. 2019 – Aug. 2022
Responsibilities:
· Use Adobe Suite products to design a wide variety of logos, catalogs, brochures, and other material primarily for digital print production.
· Execute production of print projects using digital printers in standard and wide format, CNC routing, laminating, and plot cutting.
· Work with outside vendors to ensure quality production of advertising specialties and print projects we do not produce.
· Communicate directly with clients and coworkers to identify timelines, specific graphic needs, and delivery of projects.
| Carmie’s BBQ & Grill, Tiffin, OH
Operations Manager Aug. 2016 – July 2019
Responsibilities:
· Maintain high-quality standards on a cost-effective basis by scheduling, supervising, hiring & terminating staff; monitoring & ordering alcohol inventory for weekly restaurant use and special events; and maintaining POS software.
· Create, design, and implement marketing strategies and related print material, including billboards, business cards, web, and social media.
· Communicate with vendors, customers, and members of management at all levels.
Shift Manager Nov. 2013 – June 2016
Responsibilities:
· Trained and managed 40+ staff, assigning tasks for efficiency and optimal customer service.
· Established performance metrics for staff and communicated effectively to ensure that expectations were met.
Restaurant Manager Oct. 2010 – Oct. 2013
Responsibilities:
· Managed operations of the restaurant, personally, at least 55 hours per week.
· Created and implemented internal and external marketing strategies.
· Handled hiring, discipline, and termination, ensuring adherence to the procedures and policies.
· Generated all orders and monitored inventory of beverages and dry stock for the restaurant and banquet events.
· Appraised staff performance and provided immediate feedback, if needed, to improve productivity.
| SenecaCountyRadio.com, Tiffin, OH
News Director & Sales Rep. Nov. 2013-June 2016
Responsibilities:
· Wrote, produced, and recorded podcast-style news and other content for on-air and online play.
· Sold sponsorship and advertising opportunities to customers using metrics and data-based sales tools.
SERVICE – Community and Collegial
| 2026 Admitted Students Day, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH
| 2025 Portfolio Review, Spitball Applicants, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH
Field Trip Coordinator & Chaperone, Comics & Narrative Practice at Small Press Expo, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH
Volunteer, Our CommUnity Pride Festival, Seneca Proud, Tiffin, OH
SPA Assessment, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH
Senior Capstone Review, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH
Bargaining Committee Member, CFA, Columbus, OH
| 2024 Volunteer, Our CommUnity Pride Festival, Seneca Proud, Tiffin, OH
SPA Assessment, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH
Senior Capstone Review, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH
Bargaining Committee Member, CFA, Columbus, OH
| 2023 Volunteer, Our CommUnity Pride Festival, Seneca Proud, Tiffin, OH
Senior Capstone Review, Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH