STUDENTS OF FRANK RAMPOLLA – LYNN DAVISON

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

I studied with him for three years 1963-1965 at Ringling School of Arts. Then the summer just before he died I went up to Tampa and studied Intaglio with Frank, because they didn’t have any printmaking at in Sarasota.

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

His passion. His enthusiasm. I remember I had a history class with him where he was so taken away when he visited Italy and had seen Michelangelo’s pieces. When you were in a class with him he wouldn’t want to talk much. He would say “Go Paint. Just Go Paint”. That was what importnant. Just go do the work.

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

Frank Rampolla is in every line I draw.

He is always looking behind me. I think sometimes “he’s not going to like this but that’s okay”. I am influenced in everything. I’m still working with the figure. Especially the hands and feet––which are really important to me. I’m still struggling with the figure. It’s been a constant all my life. There has never been anything else but the figure. I haven’t strayed an awful lot I guess.

I remember when I was in art school and I was trying to do a self-portrait at the time. I was trying to do something really “tight” and I remember he didn’t like that at the time. I was really afraid to go “tight” in my artwork for a long time because I knew he just wouldn’t like it. Then the last couple of years I thought I’d try it. To figure out what is a challenge for me. I was going really tight in my paintings. I still go back in forth. I’m taking a breather now, but I’m really excited to see what happens when I go back to paint (loose) again.

STUDENTS OF FRANK RAMPOLLA – LYNN DAVISON