Available to hire
Porter Norton McDonald is based out of Tucson, Arizona. His art examines American identity, our relationship to the land we inhabit, consumerism, and the algaeic super-bloom of modern technology. Inspired by the cartoons and comics of his childhood, his work ranges from murals to comics to sculptural installation. Porter’s work has been shown internationally at the Czong Institute for Contemporary Art in Kimpo-si, Korea and the Museo de Arte de Sonora in Hermosillo, Mexico. Porter’s work has appeared in Tucson at the Steinfeld Gallery, Pidgin Palace Arts, the Lionel Rombach Gallery and the Mexican Consulate. He has performed excerpts from his current book On Dogs on TV at Wave Archive, Desierto Books (Tucson) and the Poetry Lounge (Pittsburgh). Porter is an MFA student in Illustration/Design/Animation at the University of Arizona.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Beginner
Beginner
Beginner
Language
English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate
Work Experience
Assistant Camera Operator at B2 (dir. Yoshua Okón)
January 1, 2026 - PresentAssisted in planning shots, dressing locations, and operating dual cameras to create footage for a video installation.
Media Arts Specialist at Western Regions Public Health Training Center
January 1, 2024 - PresentEdited video content and created animation and design assets for online training programs.
Visual Arts Teacher (grades 5–12) at BASIS Schools
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2024Wrote and implemented curricula; advised Senior Research Projects and coordinated internships in the Tucson community. Served as Subject Advisor (two years) overseeing visual art curriculum for all BASIS schools and leading the department. Organized large school/community events including rainwater basin installation, volunteer days, and all-school art shows; coordinated local and international field trips to Costa Rica and Peru.
Visual Arts Teacher at BASIS Schools
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2024Wrote and implemented curricula for grades 5–12; advised senior research projects and coordinated community internships. Served as Subject Advisor for two years, leading visual art curriculum writing for all BASIS schools. Organized large school/community events and art shows, and coordinated local and international service-learning field trips (Costa Rica, Peru).
Visual Arts Teacher (grades 9–12) at Sky Islands High School
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2010Wrote and implemented visual art curricula for grades 9–12; provided individual student advising; coordinated and led local field trips and student travel to Taos, NM.
Visual Arts Teacher at Sky Islands High School
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2010Wrote and implemented visual art curricula for grades 9–12, provided individual student advising, and coordinated local field trips and student travel to Taos, NM.
Media Teacher (grades 9–12) at Compass High School
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2008Wrote and implemented photography and media lessons; managed a full darkroom; provided individual student advising. Coordinated and led local field trips and student travel to Yosemite National Park; filmed and edited a video documentary of the trip.
Media Teacher at Compass High School
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2008Developed curricula for grades 9–12 in photography and media; managed a full darkroom. Provided individual student advising and coordinated field trips and student travel to Yosemite National Park; filmed and edited a video documentary of the trip.
Media Production at Rockville Pictures
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2006Filmed and edited client projects including electronic media packages and industrial videos, plus a nationally broadcast fishing show. Created web design and basic animation.
Education
M.F.A. Illustration, Animation, Design at University of Arizona
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2027M.A. Art and Visual Culture at University of Arizona
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011B.A. Studio Art (Photography and filmmaking) at University of Arizona
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2002M.F.A. Illustration, Animation, Design at University of Arizona
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2027M.A. Art and Visual Culture Education at University of Arizona
January 1, 2011 - August 25, 2026B.A. Studio Art at University of Arizona
January 1, 2002 - August 25, 2026M.F.A. Illustration, Animation, Design at University of Arizona
September 1, 2024 - January 1, 2027M.A. Art and Visual Culture at University of Arizona
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011B.A. Studio Art (Photography and filmmaking) at University of Arizona
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002M.F.A. in Illustration, Animation, Design at University of Arizona
September 1, 2024 - March 1, 2027M.A. in Art and Visual Culture at University of Arizona
January 1, 2011 - August 25, 2026B.A. in Studio Art at University of Arizona
January 1, 2002 - August 25, 2026M.F.A. Illustration, Animation, Design at University of Arizona
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2027M.A. Art and Visual Culture at University of Arizona
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011B.A. Studio Art at University of Arizona
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2002M.F.A. (Illustration, Animation, Design) at University of Arizona
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2027M.A. (Art and Visual Culture Education) at University of Arizona
January 1, 2011 - August 25, 2026B.A. (Studio Art) at University of Arizona
January 1, 2002 - August 25, 2026M.F.A. Illustration, Animation, Design at University of Arizona
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2027M.A. Art and Visual Culture at University of Arizona
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2011B.A. Studio Art at University of Arizona
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2002Qualifications
Helen Gross Award
January 1, 2026 - August 25, 2026Medici Scholar
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2026Artistic Expression of Original Research Program Mentor
January 1, 2024 - August 25, 2026Silver Medalist in PubWest Book Design Awards
January 1, 2024 - August 25, 2026Winner of Book Cover and Jacket Award for Associated University Presses
January 1, 2024 - August 25, 2026Artist Opportunity Grant (Arizona Commission on the Arts)
January 1, 2021 - August 25, 2026Orrell Curriculum Development Award
January 1, 2020 - August 25, 2026Project W.E.T. Grant Recipient
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2021Watershed Management Rain Garden Grant Recipient
January 1, 2016 - August 25, 2026Pueblo Gardens Community Improvement Initiative
January 1, 2016 - August 25, 2026Mayor’s Community Service Award
January 1, 2016 - August 25, 2026Helen Gross Award
January 1, 2026 - January 1, 2026Medici Scholar
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2026Artistic Expression of Original Research Program Mentor
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024Silver Medalist in PubWest Book Design Awards
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024Winner of Book Cover and Jacket Award for Associated University Presses
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024Artist Opportunity Grant (Arizona Commission on the Arts)
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021Orrell Curriculum Development Award
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2020Project W.E.T. Grant Recipient
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2021Watershed Management Rain Garden Grant Recipient
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2016Pueblo Gardens Community Improvement Initiative
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2016Mayor’s Community Service Award
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2016Wintercount Ancestral Skills Instructor
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2019National Art Educators Association member
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2021Industry Experience
Education, Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Government
Comic strip
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