Gabrielle Casey, Technical Project/Program Manager at Sprint, spends a significant portion of her work week analyzing and reporting data. Because of Art@Work, her co-workers are not just fans of her IT skills … they’re also fans of her intricate and often humorous digital illustrations.
Three years ago, Casey entered her illustrations in Sprint’s Art@Work competition for the first time. As most artists, she was unsure of submitting her art for judgment.
“I have no formal training. I remember the first full company competition. I was only going to enter one piece and ended up submitting three. I swept the category! That year, the theme was something like ‘what inspires an innovator.’ I titled my three pieces What Inspires an Innovator? #1, #2 and #3. My subject was Dan Hesse, the CEO of Sprint. What Inspires an Innovator? #3, tells the story of Dan Hesse’s journey as the CEO of Sprint, the launching of 4G, propelling Machine to Machine, to his emergence as the Chairman of the 2011 CTIA – The Wireless Association Conference in Orlando, Florida. The picture is made up of 306 indexed photos and graphics … I was trying to tell his story. Needless to say, all three ended up in his office. The prints were given to him as presents. I met him in his office, which is covered in art, and we talked about my art.”
Using her technical savvy, Casey has created computer languages to allow her to “tinker” artistically. Currently, her favorite subjects are her grandchildren. Casey’s muse, her 4-year-old granddaughter, Brook, likes photo shoots. “She’s a diva who I also call Ladybug. At the time I took the photos of her I used in LadyBug/MonkeyWoman she was barely 3 going on 23. I am so blessed to have her in my life! She hangs with me quite often. She loves to dress up, have photo shoots, pose and ham it up in front of the camera. She then likes to take the camera and take photos of me too.”
This diva helped Casey win a “Best in Show” award at Sprint’s Art@Work competition in May. As Sprint’s coordinator read the title of the winning entry, LadyBug/MonkeyWoman, Casey let out a surprised yelp and danced up and down. She wasn’t the only one.
“The Art@Work experience has expanded my sphere of associates, friends, and cheerleaders at Sprint. I have received so many wonderful emails from Sprint associates that I have never had the privilege of meeting or working with simply because they have seen and liked my art. By the same token I have run into associates I haven’t worked with in years and they’ve said ‘Gab, you’re a rock star!’”
Now, Casey will take LadyBug/MonkeyWoman to the citywide Art@Work celebration at Union Station July 14-21. “This is my third year and I wanted to move onto the next level. Everyone is so supportive. … We have people who come from departments far and wide. I even talked a co-worker into showing her jewelry. I love that when I meet with people, we talk about their art. It just broadens everyone’s horizons.”
Casey even remarks on how her art has aided her job. “Being creative with my own computer work allows me to think outside of the box. I always want to put my own stamp on my work, professionally and personally. I always look for ways that make work enjoyable to me. I suppose it keeps my brain balanced after 13 years at Sprint.”
The art is also critical in coping. “My husband died unexpectedly, but he was able to see my first successes. I also have to celebrate my five-year survival from breast cancer and some of my doctors offer support. They don’t want me to quit my art work because they like the way my face lights up. It is a good confidence builder.”
