Category: Happenings

Each month I will be spotlighting one of my students – past or present, and their artistic ventures! I work with students of all ages and abilities and you’ll get to learn a little bit about these amazing artists and their work!

Our March spotlight is on:

My name is Syd Johnson, I’m in 11th grade, and I’ve been taking art lessons for two years. I’ve always been interested in art and never really had the chance to make it to my best ability and never had enough supplies, so that’s why I started art lessons. My favorite type of art to make is assemblage but I really enjoy looking at watercolor paintings. My grandma really inspires me to make art because I always enjoy how happy it makes her when I show her something new I’ve made.

What artist(s) from history do you admire most and why? “My favorite artist is Keith Haring because he made a lot of art about what would be considered “sensitive/inappropriate” in the 80’s. I feel like that’s very brave, and his art is just awesome!”

Besides painting and drawing are you into any other art forms? “I like photography.”

Why do you think art is important? – Why is it important for you? “Art is important because it’s fun, it requires skill; not everyone can do it and it gets the creative juices flowing. Without creativity, life is dull and boring, art makes it fun and interesting.”

What is your favorite thing about creating art? “It’s fun to see the vision that you made in your head come to life.”

Do you plan to have a career in the arts? “Yes – but I’m not sure what specifically.”

Do you enter your artwork in any shows or contests? “I have done some, but I plan to do more in the future.”

Do you have a favorite color? “Yes, pink.”

How long does it take you to complete your artwork? “It depends, it could be from a quick sketch for fun, to multiple weeks on one piece.”

When you’re making your art do like to listen to music or watch tv for inspiration (if so what)? “I like to watch iCarly while I do stuff”

Is there a certain style, or type, of art that you’d like to someday try? “I’d like to try graffiti.”

Is there an aspect of art that you don’t like, and why? “I hate pretentious and arrogant people in the art community. I feel like they take away from the fun of making art, by turning it into more of a competition.”

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become an artist or improve their skills? “Just practice and even if it doesn’t look good at first, keep trying.”

What do you think makes a good artist and/or piece of art? “Define “good” – what one person sees as good, could be awful to someone else.”

How has your artwork improved/what have you done to keep improving as an artist? “With every piece of art I make I learn more and become better.”

Syd enjoys the process of creating and making, she comes with ideas and works to bring them to life! She sets goals for her artwork and overcomes any challenges along the way – completing a piece once she reaches the desired outcome. Through her process she is also developing her own unique style and includes a lot of herself in her work! Keep up all the awesome work Syd, can’t wait to see your artistic future!

Check out our other student spotlights here!

Each month I will be spotlighting one of my students – past or present, and their artistic ventures! I work with students of all ages and abilities and you’ll get to learn a little bit about these amazing artists and their work!

Our February spotlight is on:

How long have you been taking art lessons? “I have been taking art lessons since 2012.”

Why did you begin to take art lessons/how did you become interested in art? “I began taking art lessons because, as a homeschooler, it is hard to find opportunities to do art.”

What or who inspires you to create your artwork? “Well, I have no muse, really, but (Ms. Jenell can back me up on this), I really like sharks and snakes, so I create a lot of art about them.”

What are your favorite mediums and/or subjects for your artwork? “My favorite medium I’ve used in class is probably acrylics. My favorite medium I’ve used outside of class is probably blacksmithing.”

Is there anything else about you that you’d like us to know? “One thing I’d like you all to know is that the word “Lego” comes from the Danish term “Leg Godt,” or “Play Well.” I thought that was interesting.”

Besides visual arts are you into any other art forms? “I am certainly into other art forms. I like music a lot. I play cello, upright bass, electric bass, and banjo. I’m considering learning bagpipes, but that’s still a work in progress.”

Why do you think art is important? – Why is it important for you? “I think that art is important for numerous reasons, but I’ll focus specifically on art’s historic significance. Art—whether that be paintings, carvings, photography, sculpture, etc.—has proved to be a key component of our understanding of history. For example, when we come across a culture whose writing system is yet to be deciphered, or a culture who may not have had a written language, their art is often one of the sole windows into their world that we have. Even in recorded history, images of historical events can give contextual evidence for historical events. Art is important to me for the same reason.”

What is your favorite thing about art? “My favorite thing about art is the wide variety of artistic mediums there are.”

What artist(s) from history do you admire most and why? “The artist I admire most in history is Caravaggio. Though he is underappreciated, he influenced other artists.”

Do you plan to have a career in the arts? “I do. I plan on becoming a musician.”

Do you enter your artwork in any shows or contests? “Whenever an opportunity comes up, whether that be through art class or through another organization like 4-H, I always submit my art. Did I say I win? No. But I submit.”

Is there a certain style, or type, of art that you’d like to someday try? “I’ve always wanted to try glassblowing. I’ve seen people do it at Jamestown, the Corning Museum of Glass, and Salisbury University. It’s a mesmerizing process.”

Do you have a favorite color? “My favorite color is orange. I like campfires, leaves, pumpkins, and all other things related to fall, so orange seemed like a natural favorite color.”

How long does it take you to complete your artwork? “My artwork takes as long for me to complete as I will stop talking in art class. Fact.”

What is your favorite thing you’ve ever created and why? “My favorite thing I’ve ever created in art class is a shark on a board. Kind of like a…Sharkuterie board. I crack myself up.”

When you’re making your art do like to listen to music or watch tv for inspiration (if so what)? “I like listening to music while I do my homework. I find it helps me focus.”

Is there an aspect of art that you don’t like, and why? “One thing that I don’t like about art is the fact that stick figures are often looked down upon. That’s kind of offensive…if you’re a stick figure, of course.”

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become an artist or improve their skills? “Yeah, go take from Ms. Jenell.”

What do you think makes a good artist and/or piece of art? “I think that a good artist has a point to make with their art, and I think good art makes that point. It doesn’t have to be a deep, metaphysical point. It just ha to be worth making.”

How has your artwork improved/what have you done to keep improving as an artist? “My artwork has much improved over the years. One skill I have developed in particular is the ability to look at a picture and draw from that picture.”

Elijah brings fun and humor to class every week – he enjoys making others laugh (as well as “cracking himself up”), his sense of humor reflected in his artwork; bringing a smile to the viewers. He also likes to think outside the box and add his own perspective or take on the given subjects, mediums, & styles, creating unique and personal pieces of art!

Check out our other student spotlights here!

Each month I will be spotlighting one of my students – past or present, and their artistic ventures! I work with students of all ages and abilities and you’ll get to learn a little bit about these amazing artists and their work!

Our September spotlight is on:

My name is Guinevere Cockey, I am 12 years old, and I have been taking art with Ms. Jenell for 10 years. I started taking lessons in about 2012. My siblings had been taking art with Ms. Jenell before I started, and I was so excited when I was allowed to start! Other artists’ works as well as animals—domestic and wild—inspire me to create art. I enjoy painting with acrylics and watercolor, but I enjoy fabric arts like knitting, crocheting, and sewing, equally. I also love riding horses.

What is your favorite thing you’ve ever created and why? “My favorite thing I’ve ever created is a roof slate on which I painted a Christmas scene. I enjoyed creating it because the focus was on the trees, but, beyond them, is a small snowman, smiling in a winter storm. Also, the slate had been used for many years on the roof of a house and, itself, had seen many Christmas storms. Now it was being turned into a work of art about a Christmas storm!”

Besides visual arts are you into any other art forms? “Besides visual arts, I dance, act in community theater, and play many different instruments in my family band.”

Do you have a favorite color? “My favorite color is probably light turquoise. Light turquoise is my favorite color because it reminds me of the water in a beautiful beach in Pensacola, Florida my family and I went to on our summer vacation.”

Is there an aspect of art that you don’t like, and why? “I don’t like modern art. Not like Andy Warhol, but other types of modern art. Like the kinds that just are, for example, a blank yellow page that represents all the rain in the clouds.”

Do you plan to have a career in the arts? “When I go to college I might double-major in Equestrian Studies and Photography or Performing Arts.”

Guin is always excited and cheerful when taking on projects, trying new mediums, subjects, & styles! She’s open to new ideas and thoughts – and never goes into any project thinking she can’t do it! Being able to enjoy the process of making and creating along with her positive outlook, makes her a successful artist who spreads happy qualities through her art; inspiring others!

Check out our other student spotlights here!

Each month I will be spotlighting one of my students – past or present, and their artistic ventures! I work with students of all ages and abilities and you’ll get to learn a little bit about these amazing artists and their work!

Our September spotlight is on:

Hello, my name is Caden Pavese and I am 13 years old. I am home schooled and in 8th grade. I have been taking art classes with Ms. Jenell since 2nd grade. I began taking classes because I enjoy it and both of my older siblings were attending classes too. Two of my favorite art mediums to use are pencil and acrylics. Some of my other interests include: woodworking, hiking, camping, Boy Scouts and VEX robotics.

How long does it take you to complete your artwork? “It depends on what I am doing, but if I am drawing it usually takes me a few hours.”

Besides visual arts are you into any other art forms? “Yes, I like creating stop motion movies with Lego’s, woodworking and wood burning.”

Do you have a favorite color? “My favorite color is dark green or blue.”

Is there a certain style, or type of art that you would like to someday try? “One style of art I would like to try is charcoal drawing.”

How has your artwork improved/ what have you done to keep improving as an artist? “I like to watch video tutorials on YouTube because watching people draw helps me to learn new technique.”

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become an artist and/or improve their skills? “I think practicing daily is a key aspect to help you to become a good artist.”

Caden takes his time and puts forth determination, effort, and thought, into all of his artwork! He’s excited to utilize new techniques and mediums to achieve the goals he sets out to reach within each piece of art he creates. It’s this focus and willingness to learn that will allow Caden to continue to grow and improve as an artist!

Check out our other student spotlights here!

Each month I will be spotlighting one of my students – past or present, and their artistic ventures! I work with students of all ages and abilities and you’ll get to learn a little bit about these amazing artists and their work!

Our September spotlight is on:

Hi my name is Elana, I’m 10 years old and in the 5th grade. I like playing outside, being with friends, gymnastics, camping and Legos!

Why did you begin to take art lessons/how did you become interested in art? “I started liking art because you can express your feelings in a way besides telling them.”

What are your favorite mediums and/or subjects for your artwork? “Painting & coloring.”

What is your favorite thing you’ve ever created and why? “My geometric shape elephant because it has all my favorite colors and is my favorite animal.”

Do you have a favorite color? “Bubble gum pink & Lavender purple.”

What or who inspires you to create your artwork? “My art teacher Miss Jenell, her artwork is really inspiring!”

Is there a certain style, or type, of art that you’d like to try someday? “Origami – I just love the way the shapes come out in different things.”

How has your artwork improved/what have you done to keep improving as an artist? “Keep practicing and the art homework helps me.”

Is there an aspect of art that you don’t like and why? “It’s really messy and sometimes it doesn’t come out the way you want it.”

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become an artist or improve their skill? “Keep practicing to get better.”

Elana is careful in her artwork, taking her time and coming up with ideas before executing them! She puts a lot of thought into her work but is open to make changes or adjustments if needed! Elana is also very dedicated to accomplish what she sets out to do and continues to work on a piece until she’s happy with it! Keep up the great work Elana!

Check out our other student spotlights here!

Each month I will be spotlighting one of my students – past or present, and their artistic ventures! I work with students of all ages and abilities and you’ll get to learn a little bit about these amazing artists and their work!

Our October spotlight is on:

“I’m Gage and I’m 15 and in 9th grade at James M Bennett High School. I like swimming and I swim on the YMCA swim team, running, playing on the computer, and art classes. I was adopted from China and have 3 brothers and 1 sister.”

How long have you been taking art lessons? “8 years”

Why did you begin to take art lessons/how did you become interested in art? “To get more creative.”

What’s your favorite thing about art? “I like seeing the finished product from all my hard work. “

What are your favorite mediums and/or subjects for your artwork? “I like painting landscapes the most.”

When you’re making your art do like to listen to music or watch tv for inspiration (if so what)? “I like it to be quiet when I work on my art. At home, I usually paint in my room because it’s away from all the noise.” 

What is your favorite thing you’ve ever created and why? “The picture of Marty, my sister’s dog, that I painted her for her birthday.”

Do you have a favorite color? ” My favorite color when I was younger was green, but now I like blue.” 

What or who inspires you to create your artwork? “Ms. Jenell”

Is there anything else about you that you’d like us to know? “I’m an uncle already.”

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become an artist or improve their skills? “Follow your dreams and never give up.”

Gage always has a positive outlook on his art – even when his work isn’t quite going the way he’d like! Instead of getting frustrated and giving up, he takes his time and carefully continues to work on the piece until he’s able to reach his artistic goals! His perseverance and determination is inspiring! Keep on creating Gage!

Check out our other student spotlights here!