you better bring your own sun

Say, artist-types, do you guys have any advice on portfolios (virtual or otherwise) for someone who's never been an art student?

The nontraditional cartooning program I plan to apply for is having an open house/portfolio review day in early March, and I'm trying to figure out what I should be showing them. ( A portfolio? What's that? )

Anyway, I'm rambling, but if any of you would share thoughts/experiences I'd appreciate it mightily. ♥ I am super excited about the event, and about finally getting to apply - I've been waiting for years! (Intentionally; I wanted to do some things first. But it was a little frustrating.)

So hey, how about that au_bigbang thing? It looks a little intimidating to me, but potentially really awesome too. (I know a couple of you are signed up, right?)

Has anyone watched the new Being Human yet? I need to get on that. (I did catch up on Dollhouse. And heard the "big" Buffy comic spoilers. Oh, what the hell, Joss.)

(no subject)

My parents have just called to let me know that my maternal grandmother passed away sometime last night or this morning.

It was very sudden; when I talked to her last, on New Year's Day, she sounded quite well. It sounds as though she had recently been diagnosed with some very painful and terrifying tumors, which probably would have made the last months of her life deeply miserable, so I'm grateful for the suddenness. She was a strong, wonderful woman who would not stop giving and taking care of people, and I'm going to miss her terribly.

I'm going to be gone for a few days; I have to fly to Chicago as soon as I can, and I won't have internet access or time. Thanks very much to the people who responded to my last post; you had some really fantastic advice, which I appreciate, and I'll hopefully have a chance to respond later.

Also, I'll be okay. I know some of you are going to be worried about me, and I appreciate that, but I don't feel like I can interact with it right now. Thank you, though. I love you guys.