Jada Cropper is currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences, but she also has a lesser-known talent: painting.
Cropper, a senior in the Purdue Animal Sciences Department, created a mural for the department. She worked on the project from March to July 2023, and she spent over 60 hours on this piece. The mural is located just outside the Boilermaker Butcher Block in the Land O’ Lakes Center for Experiential Learning.
“I feel like it opened a lot of opportunities for other works, and it helped get my business name out there,” Cropper said after the completion of the mural.
According to Cropper, she gained interest in art when she was in fifth grade.
“There was a little project where we had to pick out a book on an animal, and we had to do research on it and create a picture for it. Well, I wanted to have a really good picture for it, so I spent two hours working on it. I really started getting into [art] after that,” Cropper explained.
She mentioned that she began drawing pictures for her peers in high school, and then during her freshman year of college, she began her art business, Cropper Art. Her business specializes in pet and animal portraits, and she has social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. She has experience in multiple art mediums: painting, pencil, watercolor and airbrushing.
According to Cropper, art is more than just a business.
“[Art] is very therapeutic. I feel like it's nice to just listen to music and work on it,” Cropper said. “It is very satisfying at the end of an art project.”
Cropper is currently working on some family projects including a pet portrait and designing a tattoo for her brother.
Cropper chose to enroll in the Purdue Animal Sciences program because she wanted to pursue a career as a veterinarian. She also chose to attend Purdue because of its veterinary school and its animal sciences program.
Throughout her time at Purdue, Cropper’s career goals have altered. She wants to pursue a career in animal nutrition or production, and she explained that the animal sciences program has prepared her for her future.
“I would say that Purdue Animal Sciences has helped prepare me to multitask and overcome different obstacles between workload, family life and school,” Cropper explained.
Cropper also mentioned that a strength of the department is its network.
“I feel like there are a lot of connections inside and outside of campus, and everyone is very willing to help and provide support in the department,” Cropper said.
Cropper also shared advice for future Purdue Animal Sciences undergraduate students.
“Don’t give up because Purdue is hard. I feel like once you get through the tough classes, you will be grateful you took them because they will set you up for a good future,” Cropper explained.
The Purdue Animal Sciences Department is celebrating 125 years! As a part of the celebration, Cropper was asked to upload a video congratulating the department.
