Ella Rivas
2022 Visual Arts Scholarship Recipient
Ella is a dedicated artist who has honed her skills in hyper-realistic drawing. She is passionate about capturing intricate details and textures using various mediums such as colored pencil, charcoal, ink, and gouache. While hyper-realism has been her primary focus, Ella has recently ventured into illustrative styles, exploring the balance between realism and artistic interpretation. Driven by her intrinsic need to create, Ella finds immense satisfaction in bringing her ideas to life. The reactions to her artwork are secondary to the personal fulfillment she experiences when completing a piece. Sharing her unique creations and witnessing the impact of art on others inspire her to push her artistic boundaries. Ella views herself as part of a larger artistic community and believes that being an artist connects her to something greater than herself.
Ella's artistic journey began in elementary school, where she was exposed to various mediums and took art classes to develop her skills. Throughout middle and high school, her art teachers pushed her to excel and instilled in her a strong work ethic. Taking AP Studio Art further refined her abilities and taught her the importance of developing a cohesive portfolio. Ella's participation in the Teen Art Academy and her exploration of new mediums like charcoal deepened her artistic knowledge and introduced her to the foundations of drawing.
By participating in Milwaukie Institute of Art & DesignPre-College Illustration program, Ella hopes to broaden her understanding of different art forms, forge connections with fellow artists, and step outside her comfort zone. Exploring new mediums, techniques, and artistic styles would fuel her passion for learning and create a supportive environment for personal and artistic growth. Ella sees the summer program as a valuable opportunity to gain insights into potential majors and careers, helping her make informed decisions about her future path.