STUDENTS OF FRANK RAMPOLLA – Candy Garrett

1.) What year did you study with Frank Rampolla and what was the title of the class?

I never took a class with him. I was introduced to him as a model for his drawing class. I worked for him as a model at USF from 1970 -1971. I also worked for him for his Intaglio class at USF to help him.

2.) What  do you remember about Frank Rampolla? What sticks out in your memory about him?

I remember him having lunch with a Tony and they both had lunch made for them they brought from home, but he would send me off to the machines to get a sausage biscuit for him. He would eat the sausage and biscuit but would give me the biscuit top. At the time I didn’t know he wasn’t supposed to eat these because of his health.

On the weekends I would meet him there at the art department in Intaglio & Litho Department. He would give me the key to open up the Ceramic Department (the medium I worked in).

He would trade me my pieces for his artwork.

As a model I remember having to hang still as he drew for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. It wasn’t so bad in summer but during the winter it was very cold because there wasn’t a heater.

He would have classical music playing as he drew.

During this time, he’d have about 4 pieces done.

3.) How were you influenced by Frank Rampolla’s teachings or his artwork?

Frank really liked my artwork. He influenced me in my ceramics. I would hand build. It would never be square or flush. It was off kilter. Seeing his work influenced me to be loose and a bit bizarre. He always encouraged me and kept wanting more of my stuff to trade.

Which makes sense because my ceramics looked similar to his artwork. They were kind of dark.

When I heard he died, I was so upset and depressed that I cut my hair real short.

I now draw and make jewelry.