2022 Merit Scholarship Recipient: Natalie Vilter

Describe the work you submitted for merits.

A lot of my artwork I submitted for merits, in some way, deals with childhood experiences of mine. I really enjoy warping the perspective of my compositions and really stretching and pulling the shapes of characters and inanimate objects as if they were made of clay.

Why did you decide to come to MCAD?

While I was getting my associate’s degree at a local community college, my painting mentor recommended MCAD. I found out a lot of the artists that I look up to also went to MCAD, which made me super excited.

On a much more sinister note, I have had bad luck with the college I went to decimating their art department. Along with this, one of the colleges I was planning on transferring to had also cut out a large portion of their art department. I knew I wouldn’t really have to worry about that if I went to an art school.

What are your plans for your senior year? And beyond?

During senior year, I will probably be juggling with wanting to take as many classes as possible before I graduate. Of course, I will be taking more illustration classes, but I would love to add comics, painting, and animation to the mix. After graduation, my end goal is to become a children’s book illustrator in my hometown of Wausau, Wisconsin, while also being a teaching artist for nearby communities. Hopefully, I will have a little house with chickens, a garden, and my English Angora rabbits.

Favorite thing about college life (so far)?

The people. Everyone here is so talented! My professors and peers have been a huge source of my motivation and inspiration for my artwork. 

What inspires you? 

My childhood memories, my English Angora rabbits, and the frog choir that likes to sing very loudly across from my house in Wisconsin.

Do you have a favorite piece you've made? Describe it!

When I was nine years old I made this painting of a bunch of rainbow colored smiley faces filling up the paper. I accidentally titled it Smine Away, instead of Smile Away. Regardless, it’s been hanging up in my room ever since. 

Anything you're obsessed with at the moment? 

I’m really really really obsessed with cassette tapes, graveyards, and bowling alley carpets. Giving inanimate objects or animals human legs brings me great joy as well.