Tessa Cam Rowe

Tessa Cam Rowe (born January 30, 1981) is a Filipino artist, auteur and entrepreneur. She is mostly known as being the head mistress (or "Head Nurse") of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Philippines, the local branch of globally renowned Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School founded by Molly Crabapple.

Life and Career

Tessa was born in Davao City, Philippines. She is the only daughter of business man, Jose Cam and wife, Vivian. She is married to Cliff Rowe, who is also an artist.

Her career began in late 2002 when, after graduating with a degree in Economics from the Ateneo de Davao University, she discovered her niche in the realm of digital arts. In 2003, she decided to move to Vancouver, Canada to pursue a degree in 3D Animation & Visual Effects at VFS where she wrote, produced, and directed her first animated short film. It was also there that she met the man she would marry seven years later. In 2005, she returned to the Philippines to work for a small animation studio and has been involved in the local animation and film industry to this day.

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Philippines

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Philippines is a Philippine counterpart of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School. It is one of over a hundred Dr. Sketchy branches all over the world, from Akron to Zagreb. Dr Sketchy's is, according to the New York Times, a "cross between a life drawing class and new-wave cabaret". Originally founded by the glorious Molly Crabapple (who has drawn for and worked with Neil Gaiman), the movement found its way to the Philippines through head nurse and branch director, Tessa Cam Rowe.

On New Year's Day of 2011, Tessa was awarded the rights and license to open up a Dr. Sketchy branch in the Philippines. Her reason for bringing this alternative art movement to the country was "To break pre-conceived notions conservative filipinos have AbOUT art, nudity and the human form, burlesque, cabaret, performance art, tattoes, piercings, and everything that is a part of self-expression and individuality; to bring out appreciation of the true filipino gift".

She manages Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Philippines with her good friends Kim Liu, Michael Acosta, and KittyCat Cutler, and holds regular Dr. Sketchy sessions at the Amber Ultra Lounge, in Bonifacio Global City.

Notable Participants

Since its launch in January of 2011, Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Philippines has hosted events involving participation of well-known activist and Rhode Island School of Design graduate, Carlos Celdran for a progressive art session Forward Manila; and top model, Ornusa Cadness for Day of the Loving Dead.

Filmography

Feature Film

  • Hoodwinked! (2005) Character/Creature Technical Director
  • Enteng Kabisote 4 (2007) Rigging Artist
  • Gift of the Hoopoe (2009) Character Modeler
  • Arjun: The Warrior Prince (2010) Character/Creature Technical Director
  • Rosario (2010) Visual Effects Artist
  • Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil (2011) Pre-production Artist; Character/Creature Technical Director

Short Film

  • Encore (2004)

Music Videos

  • Bitiw by Sponge Cola (2006) Texture Artist

Television

  • Joaquin Bordado (2008) Rigging Artist
  • Dinosaur Train (2009) Rigging Artist