And just like that! September has gone by in a flash! With the change in seasons, the old is replaced by the new. I don’t know about you, but I have certainly felt the stiff breeze of change this autumn season. But change is not to be feared! Change can bring beauty and strength! So, as the seasons change, and I shift from the summer to the fall, I have a new set of students to spotlight here on the blog. Today, I have a super talented and sweet artist for all of you! This individual masters a variety of media, is an excellent critic during critique, and has an eye for detail! I met this artist during our shared Conceptual Design Thinking class and instantly fell in love with their work and ideas. Without a further ado, I present to you…
Mary Clyde Harris
Year: 2029
Major(s): Illustration
Minor(s): Animation, Art History
Clubs: CMYKlub, fashion club, and E-Sports
I am majoring in Art because…
I major in Art because I want to share the stories I make with the world, stories that make an impact in one’s life so much that’ll inspire them to find a passion in the arts! As a survivor of sexual assault/sexual violence as well as physical and mental abuse growing up, I want to tell my story through the eyes of the characters I create ensuring that these stories and art pieces are shared with the world.
The kinds of things that inspire me are…
Life is one of my biggest inspirations. I find myself enamored with the way the sun hits someone’s face, the pitter patters of rain on a bleak day, and the inside of a public bus when it’s only me and the bus driver. My second inspiration (which is in battle for the first) is animation and the history behind it, ever since I was small, I found anything animated so enchanting I thought the animated shows I watched were so real that I thought I could make the same exaggerated and squash and stretch expressions that the characters I watched did. My third inspiration is my family and friends. I would not be the artist I am today without the love and support from them (which needs its own paragraph). My final inspiration is myself, my past self to be exact and that’s because I am all the dreams and wishes that my younger self would cry about every night, I would have never thought back then that I would have graduated high school let alone attend a University in the pursuit of art.
My favorite art class so far was…
My favorite art classes so far (I just have to pick two) are my 2D Animation class and Global Baroque! I just enjoy art history as well as the history of animation and the study and making of animation! I just feel so warm inside whenever I’m in those classes, even when I’m running on one hour of sleep those classes never fail to keep my attention!
When I am not in class…
When I’m not in class I’m doing more art—to elaborate, I’m art directing indie animation projects, animating my own projects, studying art, character designing, and overall being a nerd! When I’m not being a work-a-holic I’m chatting with friends, watching shows with my grandma, reading, and singing.
The coolest thing I have done at Marywood so far was…
The coolest thing I’ve ever done at Marywood so far was participating in my first ever protest in support of the performing and music programs as well as sharing my hardships as a visual art major. It was so heart warming and fun, truly empowering.
When I graduate…
When I graduate I want to work in the animation industry as well as continue to work in the eara of indie animation! I’m also thinking about continuing my education in hopes to enhance my craft and teach the next generation of artists.
I would recommend the Art program at Marywood because…
Because it gives you hope, I literally don’t know where I’d be if not for Marywood. The art program is filled with professionals who are passionate about art and take pride in it. As for the students–I’ve met some of the coolest artists on the planet from being in the school, and it never feels like a competition like how it would be if I went to a bigger art school. I cannot stress enough how Marywood’s Art program and art building has literally been my biggest dream since I was twelve. I begin to tear up at the thought of this art program, that’s how much it means to me. This program shows that you don’t need to go to a fancy school to get a liberal arts education, proven by its beautiful community and the endless love they offer.
What excites me most about Art is…
How I continue to learn something new everyday day and that my mind is pushed to create pieces of art I never knew was possible. I love how art shapes and helps me grow as an individual, no matter how hard it gets.
Do you listen or watch anything while creating? If so, what do you watch or listen to?
I listen to a mix of R&B, indie bands, and lofi sings/raps whenever I’m creating art for one of my studio classes, however when I’m working on my stories or original characters I listen to the playlist(s) I made for them which is filled songs by Imagine Dragon, Jack Stauber, classical music, and Mother Mother (just to name a few). I especially listen to those playlists as I’m writing out scenes of my characters.
If you were given unlimited resources, time, and motivation to complete your dream project, what would it be?
It would be my animated passion project called Origins: takes place in a dystopian world that follows the tales of four ensemble characters (started out by our star main character). Ever since I thought these characters up I could never stop seeing them animated. It’s such a personal and deep story that has taken me nearly five years to write and create concept art for, and I know that one day I’ll be able to see these characters come to life! It would be so awesome though.
What advice do you have for the freshmen who are just starting?
READ YOUR SYLLABUS, read them and check the dates so that you can keep track of quizzes and due dates of projects! It would have made life so easier for me if I had done that when I was a freshman. Also try not to overthink things, I know as artists we tend to think about all of the minute details; However the best art pieces most times are the simplest ones. So KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid.
Isn’t Mary’s work absolutely stunning?! I literally felt my jaw drop gazing at the pieces here! I am just so unbelievably impressed by the wide breadth of skill Mary has; I mean, I am spotting all sorts of traditional media and digital media among this brief sample of their work. The portraits included here absolutely blow me away; they are just so full of life, soul, and beauty! The use of color in all of these pieces is incredible, and the concepts are top notch. I love how they romanticize their surroundings, and how they use their experiences to influence their art! I so look forward to seeing more of Mary’s art this semester, and I am absolutely positive that they will find immense success as an artist and creator.
I hope all of you have enjoyed this brief introduction to the amazing Mary Clyde Harris! If you would like to see more, follow them on Instagram here!
Until next time!
Rebecca Prowse