by Barbara Rolnick

Giulio Plescia, 26, has been working at the copy centre at Concordia’s Loyola Campus for about a year and a half. Few of the students who depend on him to meet their looming deadlines realize that behind the photocopy machines lies the binder of a budding artist.

In fact, several of Giulio’s drawings have made their way out of his binder and onto the walls, but they often go unnoticed by the people coming and going.

He enjoys the commotion. It keeps him in touch with the student life he misses and hopes to return to. His plan is to save up enough money to study graphic design. Although he attended an art college in Italy for five years, he says that times have changed and he needs more education.

“You have to learn how to work with computers. Nobody wants a normal painting or a hand drawing any more.”

Nevertheless, he always has a pencil and paper nearby. Inspiration comes from everywhere, and he likes to be prepared. “I have episodes, like The Sopranos. They continue every night in my dreams,” he said. “The next day I put them down on paper. Some people write words — I like to draw.”

Giulio’s passion is cartoons. He draws caricatures, and has thought about setting up a kiosk to sell them. He’s working on his speed, trying to get from 20 minutes down to five. In the meantime, he draws for friends, acquaintances and anyone else who hears about his work.

“Concordia hires some mentally challenged people to do the recycling. One of the guys who works in the cafeteria talks to me about his favourite WWF wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin.

“One day I drew his head on the wrestler’s body. He started saying ‘Hey, man, look at me, I’m so cool,’ and that made me feel good, it really made my day.”

It has been difficult for Giulio to find the time to draw. In addition to working full-time hours at Concordia, he has taken on a maintenance job at night. He’s determined not to give up.

“When you bring something to a certain level, and it’s just something that you cannot shut off, that is art. I will always keep doing this, because this is what I love to do.”