Junior awarded scholarship for Rodeo Art

Junior Angelina Harper has made a name for herself in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Contest, advancing to the finals with her remarkable artistic skills.
Her standout piece, a self-portrait of herself lying in a field beside a tiny cow, titled ‘‘Bluebonnets and Braids’’, was more than just a painting it was a statement.
“I wanted to demonstrate that animals are also important in this world,” Harper said. “They are special in many ways.”
Harper’s artistic journey has been shaped by the unwavering support of her mother, who has always been her first source of guidance.
“She gives me advice on my paintings, helps me with colors, and guides my designs,” Harper said.
Her dedication to art has paid off. Harper was awarded a scholarship for her hard work, a recognition that not only rewards her talent but also fuels her goal to continue pursuing art.
Despite the high level of competition, Harper remained focused on her craft rather than viewing other artists as rivals.
“I don’t see my classmates or other artists as people to be feared,” she explained. “If they win, I’m just as happy for them as if I had won because they worked hard too.”
Harper expressed that while painting itself is always challenging, she didn’t find the competition itself hard. “I had a good time painting it, and I’m pretty used to the rodeo competition,” she said.
Harper finished her painting just in time for the deadline, overcoming creative struggles along the way.
“I had a couple of weeks to make it, but the painting I was working on before wasn’t turning out how I wanted,” she admitted. “So, I scraped it and started over with the girl and the cow.
Even though I had less time, I was much happier with it.”
Given more time, she would have added additional details. “I wanted to add some bluebonnets in the background,” she noted.
Harper’s artistic journey started at a young age. “I’ve been drawing and painting since elementary school, maybe even before that,” she said. Her passion deepened in middle school, inspired by YouTube artists sharing their success stories.
Her first-ever acrylic painting was a small canvas of sunset clouds. “It wasn’t really good, but I still kept it,” she laughed.
Keeping it has allowed her to look back and see her growth over the years.
Harper draws inspiration from comic and manga artists, admiring their use of lines and color.
“Manga is mostly black and white, so line control is really important. Those are things I really
want to improve on,” she explained. “I also get inspiration from books, movies, TV shows, and animated series.”
While she has already achieved significant milestones, Harper is determined to keep improving, particularly in drawing hands and building confidence in completing full pieces.
Sometimes, she struggles with self-doubt, which can prevent her from even starting a painting. However, her recent scholarship and success at the Art Rodeo Contest have reinforced
her belief in her abilities.
With her talent, dedication, and supportive community, Angelina Harper’s artistic future looks incredibly bright.