Tobi Mueller at Pratt Institute’s Pre-College Program
For Tobi Mueller, four weeks at Pratt Institute's Pre-College program offered an opportunity to explore painting and film while developing skills that will support her ongoing work in animation. Immersed in a community of talented young artists, Tobi discovered new ways to approach her work and gained a deeper understanding of how different artistic disciplines can inform one another.
In her painting course, Tobi learned to move beyond seeing objects as familiar symbols and instead focus on their shapes, forms, and physical qualities. Treating painting almost like sculpture, she began to think of each brushstroke as a way of building and defining a new plane. The experience changed the way she observes the world and approaches visual art.
Her film course introduced her to the language and collaborative nature of filmmaking. From learning the terminology of cinematography and production roles to adapting when locations or schedules changed, Tobi developed practical skills in visual storytelling and problem-solving that she can carry into her future work in animation.
Perhaps most importantly, the program showed Tobi the value of collaboration. Conversations during critiques and lectures exposed her to perspectives that challenged her assumptions and encouraged her to reconsider how her own artwork might be interpreted.
"I was inspired by being surrounded by so many talented artists. I began to understand the value of collaboration and the exchanging of ideas."
Made possible through an Anthony Quinn Foundation Visual Arts Scholarship, Tobi's experience at Pratt gave her new technical skills, creative perspectives, and connections with fellow artists that will continue to shape her development as an animator and visual artist.