SARASOTA – Notable alumni of the Ringling College of Art and Design Tim Rogerson stopped by campus to talk to inspiring art students.
It’s been 15 years since Rogerson last walked the halls of Ringling College as a student.
“Since them I’ve been working for Disney as a Disney Fine Artist and so I thought I’d come back this week to talk to the kids and give them some inspiration about life after school,” said Rogerson.
As one of only 25 artist in the world, Rogerson can paint and sell Disney artwork. A dream he’s had since he was four years old.
“I’ve been drawing Mickey since I was about four years old, he was the first character I learned and I was hooked ever since to become an artist so I’ve been drawing Disney all my life, it was my dream job,” said Rogerson.
A dream that became a reality for Rogerson. His work has been sold in galleries all over the world. “I’ve been doing this for 15 years, and I’ve got to travel the world, have many gallery shows around the world and meet a lot of famous Disney people,” he said.
Visual Studies Senior Gretchen Leffler is also a big Disney fan and will be starting a Disney internship soon. She says she came to learn from Rogerson and get some helpful advice.
“I mean it’s always a dream to meet people you’ve looked up to. I’ve come to look up to a lot of my teachers so I kinda see him as just like another teacher or I know he’s just another person,” said Leffler. “But you can always get a different point of view or just learn what has made his journey better and I just love learning from people who have made an impact.”
Rogerson’s success includes being the first official artist for the D23 Expo and the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. He’s even had one artwork stored in the legendary Disney Vault.
“You can’t really describe the feeling you know you have a piece of history and I got to deliver it there myself.”
Rogerson says the advice he has for art students is that there are different jobs for an illustrator out there, it just takes some time and hard work.
Some of Rogerson’s artwork is on display and for sale at the Made By Gallery at the Ringling College campus. He will be at the gallery Sunday for a meet and greet opportunity from 11-1. That is open to the public.