Childhood Hobby Now Career for DINFOS Instructor
By Pfc. Marlene Rizzo
lnstructor SGT Gene Snyder assists a student in designing an individual color wheel assignment for the basic graphics and illustration course here. Snyder first became interested in art at age 10 when he traced his first comic book characters. |
As a young artist, he lay on a floor surrounded by a sea of comics and an array of pastels and colored pencils given to him as a gift. He draws madly on pieces of paper, attempting to perfect the image of a dog known as Snoopy. Occasionally, pieces of blond hairs fall across his brown eyes, obstructing his view. With each irritated brush of his hand through his tousled hairs, be continues to add just one more touch that be hopes will be the last effort in finishing his great masterpiece.
SGT Gene Snyder is no longer that little boy. Now, he is a multimedia course instructor here, has been in the Army for nine years and has loved art since he was 10 years old. "I started by tracing characters from comics. Snoopy was my favorite. Gradually, I went onto other things such as drawing live figures and other objects," says Snyder. "I joined the Army for college money, but now I have found it offers opportunity and challenges for me," says Snyder.
Snyder has taken advantage of many opportunities while he has been in the service, such as working at the Center of Military History. "Working at the Center of Military History was one of my most enjoyable tours. All day I did what I loved... I painted," says Snyder. While at the Center, Snyder was guided by his mentor, Peter G. Varisano, who has watched him progress through the ranks and improve his artistic abilities. "SGT Snyder is totally dedicated to his craft, yet has an element of humor about him. He is the embodiment of what an illustrator anywhere should be. He has a fire in him," says Varisano.
Snyder was in the infantry for the first three years of his career while stationed at Fort Knox, KY. As a graphics and illustration instructor, Snyder has been able to incorporate his love for art and leadership abilities into his teaching style. "I have the rare opportunity to affect the lives of students... their motivation... their talents. I see how each student has a spark and it's my job to make it come out more," says Snyder with a childish grin as his boy-like eyes gleam.
The students keep me on my toes. Being an instructor here teaches one that time management is very important," stresses Snyder. Students must acquire a mass amount of knowledge during the three-month course. The course is structured so that a person who has never picked up a drawing utensil before can learn how to be a competent artist. They learn to draw on paper as well as design graphics on the computer. "Students have a lot to learn in a little amount of time, but it's amazing what they are capable of even when they think they aren't," says Snyder. "Every student has a talent for it. They just have to stay focused." Staying focused is one of Snyder's weaknesses. "I have a tendency to get sidetracked when I have one thing set out to do. No matter how sidetracked I may get. I always finish," says Snyder.
"He knows his field well. To teach, you have to want to do it, be able to do it and be good to do it, also. SGT Snyder is easily all three. Anything that we may have, he can answer them to the fullest," remarks PFC Michelle L. Amaya, a student in the course.
Snyder is currently working on his bachelor's degree in fine arts. He also plans to pursue a master's degree while he is in the Army. Snyder isn't the young boy who traces out of comic books anymore. He is an artist whose talents by far exceed those he began with. He will teach those who will allow themselves to be taught.