Nikki Boudreau
Class Level
Graduated
Degree and Major
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Art, Honors Program
Hometown
Fremont, CA
Biography:
I was born in Rhode Island but have lived the last 17 years in Fremont, CA. I was very active in the arts at my high school, working as editor, illustrator, art director, and reporter for my school newspaper, Art Club President, and a designer and painter of scenery for school plays. I've always loved to make art and to learn. Both interests are of equal importance to me and neither has ever taken precedence over the other. For this reason, my favorite way to express ideas combines both words and visual images. This includes graphic design (posters, logos) sequential art (comics, graphic novels), and illustration (visuals accompanying written text). I work mostly in 2-D mediums such as paint and ink, and much of my art focuses on women since I believe we are often poorly represented in popular artworks. I am also interested in feminism, holistic medicine, and alternative music.
Why did you choose CSU Stanislaus?
I felt that going to an art school would limit my educational opportunities and I was hesitant to go to a large UC with 30,000 students. At CSU Stanislaus, I have the benefit of a smaller community but I can still take the same classes available at an art school or UC. The campus is also very beautiful and my very good friend, Jennifer Esterly, is a professor and the director of the Child Development Center.
What advice would you give a prospective student?
Start conversations with random people or those who interest you as much as possible. It's easy to get shy and quiet, but you will miss out if you only stick to a small group of friends. The people I enjoy most I met by starting conversations with people I didn't know.
What has been your favorite academic or student life experience so far?
I enjoy living in the dorms. It's a plus not having to commute to school, a number of my friends live on campus, and any resources such as the computer lab and library are only a five-minute walk from my apartment.
What is your career objective?
Illustration, graphic design/novels, journalism
What clubs, sports, and activities have you participated in?
I recently went to this year's first Art Club meeting, and I'm very excited about the projects and events that have been proposed. I am also the art director for the Honors Program's annual literary magazine.
Who is your most influential personal and/or University mentor?
I really enjoy my Honors Composition class with Arnold Webb. He gives very helpful feedback on my writing, picks interesting reading material and essay topics, and has a great sense of humor. He won't let you get away with generalizations or assumptions. He challenges you to question your beliefs and forces you to support your opinions with strong evidence.
E-mail Address: nb@nikkiboudreau.com
