What’s your artistic background?

Two things made me the artist I am today-

• Level 2 autism spectrum disorder- no one (including me) even realized I was on the spectrum until I was 24.
• My mom taught me how to think like an artist. She graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and was a costume designer for movies and TV shows like Saturday Night Live. She was my artistic mentor and my very best friend. Even though she died in 2027, I am still learning from what she taught me.

I got my B.F.A in animation from MICA in 2019. My senior thesis, a 4-minute short titled Sheri, won several film festival awards.

Majestic Stella

What’s integral to the work of an artist?

Being true to your vision and how you express it.

What role does the artist have in society?

Keeping people from getting bored and inspiring kids to be artists.

Max-the-Merweenie

What art do you most identify with?

I am totally made for animation and illustration.

What themes do you pursue?

People, animals (especially dogs!), and colorful and unique things.

Miranda-the-Clairvoyant

What’s your favorite art work?

There’s so many to choose from!! But I’ll pick Van Gogh’s The Starry Night.

Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?

During high school I spoke to a huge audience at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, about overcoming my disabilities to become an artist. They gave me a standing ovation – my mom and I were floating!

Jack-Russell-Terrier-Peony

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

During college, I worked in MICA’s art supply store, at the library, and in the Tech Center.

Why art?

I wanted to become an artist ever since I was a kid because I can say things visually much better than I can say things with words. It’s always been hard for me to communicate with and understand other people. People didn’t even think I was going to graduate from high school because of my communication difficulties.

Summer-and-her-dog

What is an artistic outlook on life?

Expressing your true feelings through your art.

What memorable responses have you had to your work?

Two comments on two different pieces I posted to Instagram stand out to me:

• “Your illustrations have so much kindness in them.”
• “So gorgeous! Well done dear Rebecca, your art is outstanding!”

Sumire

What food, drink, song inspires you?

I’m an adventurous eater, and sometimes I’ll use the color of a new food (Like a French macaroon) in my art.

Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?

Sometimes the artistic life is lonely, but I actually like that. Because I’m on the spectrum, there are a lot of times that I need my own space to work on my art.

Chiara-the-Beach-Lady

What do you dislike about the art world?

Many people are using AI as art and it’s really disrespectful. It’s like a scam.

What do you dislike about your work?

It’s hard to create art, it’s hard to show it to people, and it’s very hard to get noticed. There have been times I started to think I couldn’t keep going and wanted to stop creating art, but I decided to keep going and never give up.

cozy winter

What do you like about your work?

I do like the concentration it takes to make my art, and I *really* feel great when I have a piece where I want it, especially how colorful and beautiful it is.

Should art be funded?

Yes! They are a lot of artists that need a lot of support, so they can create more artworks.

Birdie

What role does arts funding have?

It helps a lot of artists create their dream project and show it to their friends, family, and even to the world.

What is your dream project?

My dream project is to create an animated TV show about a character who is on the spectrum.

super hippy dude

Name three artists you’d like to be compared to.

Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, and Yayoi Kusama. To be honest, I think that all artists are perfect in our own unique way.

Favorite or most inspirational place?

I can’t pick a favorite place, because I love to travel both domestic and international. To be honest, I love living in Baltimore, Maryland because it’s an inspiring place for me and it feels like home. I do like going to New York City, New York and Boston, Massachusetts in the United States because they have amazing art museums.

Bull-Terrier-Hydrangea

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

My mom would always tell me, “Wake up happy!”

Professionally, what’s your goal?

I definitely want to have a career in the animation industry and become known as successful artist who has ASD. I’d like to work at a famous animation studio like Walt Disney Animation Studios or Pixar as a director and creator for an animated movie and TV series.

future plans?

I’m thinking of going back to school to get a M.A in illustration. In the meantime, I’m continuing to develop a pilot episode for an animated TV series I’ve been working on for the past two years.