This week’s campus celebrities are Valerie Rodriguez and Esther Leslie: the artistic duo that drew the Pulse magazine cover for chalk up!
Fun Facts!
Valerie
- Her hobbies are drawing and collecting metal signs.
- When she was 7 she had chickens as pets!
- She likes to wear her old tattered chucks every now and then.
- If she didn’t have so much schoolwork, she would without a doubt, be watching a Disney or Tim Burton movie.
- She is a commuter from Queens Village.
Esther
- She grew up in Trinidad and Tobago a beautiful Caribbean island.
- She is the youngest of 8 siblings.
- She came to New York to follow her artistic dream despite people thinking that was childish! She has persevered and earned a 4.0 GPA!
- Her hobbies are painting, reading (especially Ellen G. White books), kickboxing and music.
- If she could, she would switch places with professor Brook Frederick for a day.
1. Who or what inspires you and why?
V: Music inspires me- one particular band being Green Day. Whatever mood I’m in, listening to this band stimulates me to create art; it is the core influence on the pieces I create. I could also be having a completely awful day and it’ll just turn it around.
E: I am inspired by everything around me, and my family has a good influence.
2. What are your goals for the future after gaining a degree from Adelphi?
V: After gaining my degree I wish to pursue my career in art therapy. Oh, and paying off my student loans.
E: My goal for the future is to go to England attend Edinburgh University to earn my Masters and pursue my career as an Art Director.
3. Do you hold any titles or awards? What are you apart of on campus?
V: I have an art scholarship and the Recognition Award. I’m part of Psychology Club on campus.
E: I have been interning for over 2 years at Marketing and Creative Services.
4. Why did you girls choose to draw the cover of Pulse magazine during chalk up?
V: I was asked to assist Esther in recreating the cover of Pulse magazine through chalk and I thought it was a great idea because it definitely looked challenging.
E: The chalk up design of the Pulse magazine cover was a commissioned piece, in which the magazine requested.
Watch a time-lapse of their work by clicking HERE!
5. Do you have any funny on campus experiences or a favorite memory/event you’d like to share about?
V: Being in Brook’s art class for three semesters was a fun and memorable experience. Last year our class participated in Chalk Up and we drew this huge multicolored head; it was great!
E: I think my best campus experience was October 8th the same day of chalk up was also my birthday, so the people at my office where I work came outside along with one of my professors painting class (unknowing to me) as I was busy working on the Pulse cover. I suddenly heard everyone singing happy birthday to me and as I looked up my boss was holding an ice cream cake with candles. It was my most memorable memory at Adelphi.
6. If you could give advice to other students in your major, maybe those just starting out, what would you tell them?
V: For Art Majors, it’s not easy finding a job in the art field but it’s d*mn well possible. And as long as you, as cheesy as it may sound, have ambition and a drive to create and learn, then you’re set. Also, coffee and tea make great mediums. For Psych Majors: For anyone who has a dislike for math, statistics is understandable with Professor Feeley.
E: Although I am well skilled at painting, my intended major is graphic design. So my advice to anyone in the field of either studio art or graphic design, is to make sure this is something they are passionate about, and be prepared to work hard. Neither studio art or graphic design is an easy industry, it takes hard work, dedication to craft and patience. So basically my advice is no matter the obstacle, perseverance is the key to success.