Angelica Russell has been awarded the $3,000 Gerald E. Ehrhart and Betty C. Ehrhart Memorial Scholarship Award for the 2011-2012 academic year from the Philip J. Steele Arts Education Foundation! This Scholarship is funded by the family of Gerald Ehrhart in loving memory. Gerald served on the RMCAD Board of Directors for many years and was a great supporter of art education and friend of the Steele family.
Angelica is currently attending Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, and is a Junior in the Two-Dimensional Animation Department. Her Artist’s Statement describes a perfect candidate for a career in the animation industry.
“There is a certain magic to animation, which has always inspired me as a child; and now that I am an adult, I want to be a part of that process and create stories and animations that will inspire future generations of children and families alike.
I’ve used a many types of media and materials, for both class and personal works. Generally, my work is mostly created digitally. With the aid of a tablet, I use programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Flash, and Paint Tool SAI, to create many of my pieces. I also like to use traditional mediums for sketching and life studies. Both watercolors and ink are a favorite of mine, but I have been trying to broaden my horizons with the use of acrylic paints.”
Angelica is glad that she has taken the risk for life as an artist, and going to art school. “ I’m learning everything I’ll need to pursue my life long journey as an artist and there is no other place that I’d rather be. Next to real life, art school is one of the most enriching environments for my art. I am able to meet and work with people the inspire me to do better. I can bounce ideas with my peers and create stories even better than if I had created them on my own. This is why I chose art school, for the environment, the people, and the step closer towards reaching my dreams and doing what I love for the rest of my life.”
The piece that we chose from Angelica’s portfolio is titled “Goin’ Fishin’”, the media is Paint Tool SAI, and the dimensions are 900 x 1200 px. Angelica produced it on your own, and describes her concept for its creation:
“Goin’ Fishin’ was my play on the popular saying “There’s plenty of fish in the Sea.” It basically means that, sometimes when you want a certain something, it may present itself in a form in which you didn’t expect. That’s perfectly okay though, because life is full of surprises, and you just have to take everything a step at a time. Sometimes getting something you don’t expect or want at first is the best thing for you.”
Congratulations Angelica!
Thank you to our artists, donors, and sponsors for your support!
Dear Artists and Patrons,
Words simply cannot describe how grateful, honored, and deeply humbled I am to have been chosen to receive the Gerald Ehrhart Scholarship. Thank you for believing that I have the ability to put your kindness and generosity to good use, and for believing that my education is something worth supporting. This will help me so incredibly much,and will allow me to put more time and energy into what I love, instead of spending so much time at work supporting myself. Now I’ll be able to spend a little less time at my night job, and a little more time working on what I love.
Over the last couple weeks of this past term, I stayed at school until midnight every night that I didn’t have to go to work, just working on my final animations. I have to say, I couldn’t have been happier. There is an incomparable feeling of satisfaction that comes from a night of hard work animating, and I left school every night feeling amazing and loving life.
That little story may have seemed out of place but, I really just wanted to emphasize just how much this scholarship will allow me to do more of what I love. I really can’t pick the proper words that really, truly show my appreciation and gratitude. A simple thank you doesn’t quite cut it, it doesn’t come close to showing how much you have helped me, and how much your help means to me.
Thank you for helping me, and other artists like myself get one step closer to our dreams. Thank you for helping us in an aspect where, I can’t speak for everyone, but I always feel the most helpless. Everyone who donates to this foundation, those who run it, those who help in whatever way they can. You are all amazing people, and your kindness and contributions really go a long way. Thank you again for everything that you do!!
Sincerely,
Angelica Russell
Random PJS Testimonial: "This scholarship enabled me to become a more open minded artist and experience art on many levels." - Belen Escalante
