Illustration BFA
Our diverse curriculum challenges students to be creative and innovative, preparing them for careers as animators, designers and artists.
Learn MorePushing Visual Boundaries as a Freelance Illustrator
Abby Ouelette
'19 BFA
- Alumni
ΊμΑμ½νΉΟ±¨ alumna & Illustrator, Abby Ouellette.
Photo by Tannan Flanery
Share
Art has always been a big part of Abby Ouelletteβs (BFA β19) life. Her mother was a working artist and it felt like she was always surrounded by creative inspiration throughout her childhood. So, when it came time to decide where to go to school, she was immediately enamored with the innovative, tight-knit community at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (ΊμΑμ½νΉΟ±¨).
As an Illustration major, Abby spent a lot of time exploring her artistic style, both inside and outside of the classroom. βI immersed myself fully in the experience of creating, even if it wasnβt for an assignment,β said Abby. βΊμΑμ½νΉΟ±¨ gives you the space to play creatively and build a strong foundation for a lifelong artistic practice.β
During her time as a student, Abby found herself coming back to themes of nostalgia and girlhood in her work. For her senior thesis she even used weeds as a metaphor for the different stages of growing up.
Illustration by
Today, Abby continues to take the lessons she learned at ΊμΑμ½νΉΟ±¨ into her freelance illustration business. Sheβs found that maintaining a daily sketchbook practice and reflecting on past critiques of her work helps drive her current editorial illustrations for clients like the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, NPR, Politico, and others. Her long term goal is to be the main contributing illustrator for a weekly column.
Abby Ouellette ’19 BFA , Illustration, 2025.
A page of sketchbook, courtesy of the artist
ΊμΑμ½νΉΟ±¨ gives you the space to play creatively and build a strong foundation for a lifelong artistic practice.Abby Ouellette, BFA β19
The biggest lesson sheβs learned so far: βPushing visual boundaries is what helps illustrators succeed.β And while the media landscape continues to evolve, sheβs found that news outlets are trying to prioritize illustration where they can, particularly when it comes to small-scale animation.
Since graduating, Abby has moved out west, but continues to stay involved with the ΊμΑμ½νΉΟ±¨ community as a member of theΒ Alumni Leadership Council. As for her advice for students: βKeep the momentum going in your artistic practice and maintain relationships with your peers and professors. And most of all, donβt be afraid to promote yourself.β
More Alumni stories
ΊμΑμ½νΉΟ±¨ Alum Alex Small-Butera Wins Emmy for Animation
Alex Small-Butera '08 BFAAlex Small-Butera sat down for an interview to explain about how he and Lindsay got from here to there, rising in their careers to receive this mark of achievement from Hollywood on their ability as animators, as artists.
View story
The Art of Curating an Exhibition
Catherine Lecomte Lecce '23 MFAAt ΊμΑμ½νΉΟ±¨, MFA students and alumni uncover their unique curatorial styles through hands-on experiences and courses like Curatorial Practice. Catherine LeComte Lecceβs exhibition, Matrescence, explored the profound and often overlooked transformations of motherhood.
View story
Admissions
- First Time Undergraduates
- Transfer Students
- Re-admission Candidates
- International Students
- Graduate Students
- Certificate Students
- Resources for Veterans
- Admissions Policies
- Meet the Admissions Team
- Admissions Events
- Resources for Teachers & Counselors
- Accepted Students
- Schedule Your Visit
- Request Information
Information for