Rachel
I've been drawing since I was old enough to figure out that crayons are not food.
What kind of art do you make? What inspires you?
Photography seems to be my niche, and I love dance. So dance photography has become this happy medium between things I wish I could do and the things I actually can. Capturing movement on film is more complicated than it would seem, and capturing it well is very difficult — what can I say, I can't resist a challenge. Plus, the dancers here at Cornish give me so much to work with.
I also like to draw, paint, and sculpt. The latter is kind of new to me since all through high school the only sculpture I did was out of clay and we don't have a ceramics program... I am, however, really looking forward to metal working next semester in Sculpture II. (Dare I say w00t.) Stained glass is also an interest of mine, but alas, there aren't any glass-working tools in the art department. (I have soldering irons if anyone has a glass grinder and one of those oily-cutty tools.)
When in your life did you first become involved in your artistic discipline? What influenced you to become involved in the arts?
I've been drawing since I was old enough to figure out that crayons are not food. During the majority of my childhood, I kept to myself when in day care because I would rather draw and color than play with the other kids. My mom had to keep me busy so that I wouldn't get into trouble so she kept buying me coloring books and crayons.
There wasn't really anything that made me decide that I was going to go into the arts. It's just that art is the only thing I've ever been good at or wanted to do. I'll bet that's a pretty common thing amoung us Cornish folk.
What are your current projects?
School stuff. I don't have time for anything else.
I did have a dance photography/sculpture project of which I am/was in the planning stages, but that's been suspended indefinitely due to circumstances beyond my control -- including a lack of finances. However, I plan on getting some work done on a study of the female form in dance (I mostly shoot men) over the break, but that's going to depend on film and dancers.
Where are you from? How is Seattle different?
With the exception of nine months when I was 4 or 5 where my mom and I lived in Utah (bygones); I've lived in Washington my whole life.
Before moving to Seattle I lived in a little area known as Maple Valley/Covington/Unincorperated King County. It's only little in the way it feels, but in reality it's unnervingly spread out and huge. I don't get back there very often because I can't stand not being able to get anywhere without a car. (Not having the ability to drive, I tend to rely on my parents or friends when I'm back in the burbs.)
Seattle is nice because I can go anywhere on the bus. It is noisier, and I can hear my neighbours having sex (not cool); but I really like Seattle and living in the city.
Why did you choose to come to Cornish?
I was 12 the first time I saw a commercial for Cornish. At that moment, I decided that it was the school I wanted to attend. I told my father this, and he laughed at me. At the time I thought that he was laughing because there was no money for me to attend art school — this was true, but not why he was laughing. I found out after I did get in that he had laughed at me because he didn't think I had the talent to get in. Like I said, I can't resist a challenge.
What has been your experience here?
Class. Homework. Workstudy. More homework. Real work. Sleep.
What quirky hobbies do you have?
I really like stuffed animals. I spend a lot of time with my stuffed animals, and sometimes they become part of my art.
What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?
Either trying to get a studio assistant gig with Lois Greenfield (dance photographer) or in Paris selling my drawings to tourists and working in a bread shoppe cause I'm trying to nail Pierre, the hot baker.
What would you tell a prospective student about Cornish?
It's easier than cliff diving, but far more rewarding and not nearly as life threatening.
What is your creative process?
Intense emotion+time=inspiration Inspiration+hard work=art