Therese Ruane of Mountainside Has Her Sights Set on Animation

It wasn’t until high school that Therese Ruane started to realize that the passion she had for animation was more than just a childhood hobby.
Most recently, Therese’s artwork has been published in the 2016 Creative Writing Anthology, which is part of the Somerset County Teen Arts Festival, and her mixed media piece, “Allure,” captured a gold medal at the Somerset County Teen Arts Exhibition on May 11th. Her artwork will be displayed at the county’s gallery in Somerville this summer.
A sophomore at Mount Saint Mary Academy (MSMA) in Watchung, Therese said, “Since I was a little kid, I copied my favorite cartoons like Pokémon and Ed Edd n Eddy. When I was good enough to draw them freehand, I started to realize that I wanted to become a cartoonist.” Research, practice, video games, and learning from her peers who were also talented in art helped fuel Therese’s interest in animation. MSMA art department chairperson Donna M. Abrams and art teacher Duffy Dillinger also provided inspiration for the Mountainside resident.
“My father bought me my first Wacom tablet when I was in the eighth grade which was the first time I was able to digitally draw,” she explained. “My parents, who are totally supportive, always asked me (when I told them that I wanted to be an artist), ‘What can we do to help you accomplish that dream?’” shared Therese.
After watching the Cartoon Network, Nicktoons, and Disney channels, Therese began to develop her own style of animation which she describes as both realistic and cartoony. She broadened her horizons and created outside of her comfort zone when she learned Photoshop skills that went beyond simply adjusting photographs. This year, she also came to appreciate drawing and mixed media, sketching faces and anatomy. “I’m being taught to take what you see around me and to create what I want; to put my own style into it,” said Therese.
“I found Therese to be skillful and creative as a Graphic Art I student,” said Mrs. Abrams. “Her motivation led her to co-found and develop mini projects for this year’s Graphic Art Club.”
It isn’t uncommon to find Therese and her brother, Matthew, a student at The Academy for Information Technology in Scotch Plains, collaborating excitedly every day on the cartoon they hope to pitch to the Cartoon Network. Their sister, Mary, a junior at MSMA, always offers constructive advice to the duo as they create their masterpieces.
“We are always developing characters and writing scripts. We have about 30 characters so far,” she said. When she graduates from MSMA, Therese hopes to attend one of the top design schools such as the California Institute of the Arts, the School of Visual Arts in New York City, or Savannah College of Art and Design. Therese is the daughter of Mr. Kevin Ruane and Mrs. Lisa Ruane.