I still remember the days of eagerly awaiting my turn at the arts and crafts station in preschool just to cut paper snowflakes or decorate cards for my parents. In elementary school, I longed for the one day a week we had our art lesson to experience new mediums for the first time. Since then, I am forever grateful for the opportunities I have received through Oliver Ames’ art program, and getting the ability to discover who I am as an artist. Throughout my four years, I have strived to not only express myself, but to communicate purpose within each piece of artwork. These four years have truly flown by and I will never take for granted all of the amazing things the art program has provided me with. I am proud to say I have made the most of my art experience at Oliver Ames and have been awarded with two gold keys, two silver keys, and one honorable mention in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, in addition to earning second place in the Massachusetts Congressional Art Competition. My high school art journey is only the beginning as I will carry with me, not only the technical skills I have acquired, but the friendships I have made. None of us expected to lose our last months of high school together, but I will forever cherish the family we have built as a small class. Watching each of my classmates grow and develop into the artists they are today has been inspiring. Up until now I have brought my life into my artwork, but moving forward I will bring art into my life, and will be attending The University of Rhode Island this fall.
Dark Transparency
With my self portrait, "Dark Transparency,” I aim to display the complexity of simplicity. While self portraits tend to come across as straightforward, I realized how many emotions they can convey. Initially I struggled to title this piece; at first glance, it appears as a standard self portrait. The more I studied it for myself, however, the more I realized how this piece conveys so much more: peace, contemplation, reflection and more. One’s face can never truly reveal all emotions that are felt, which is why I titled it “Dark Transparency,” to hint at everything that seems clear always has another layer to it. Behind the creation of my self portrait, I learned how much a difference small details can make, that at first don’t seem important.
Roots
“Roots” is a spin on the standard self portrait with the incorporation of the meaningful things in my life. Here I was able to express myself in a more nostalgic way through the merging of elements from my childhood into myself today. Looking closely, you can see such elements including my favorite ring, my most meaningful bracelet, my birthstone gems as freckles, and the tree trunk symbolizing a specific tree from my front yard. This piece simultaneously conveys a sense of mystery as these elements are partially hidden to show how the small things can be the things most important to us.
formal dahlia pinnata
In my botanical illustration, “Formal Dahlia Pinnata,” I wanted to express a more sophisticated side to my artwork. With inspiration from a botanical artist of Easton, Blanche Ames,this was very different from my normal style and go-to medium of drawing pencil, but reflects versatility. This piece reflects the technical side to art, and the importance of art in other areas of study. Specifically focusing on science, botanical artists are needed to depict plants accurately to preserve and document species.
made from recycled plastic
In “Made From Recycled Plastic,” I focused on bringing attention to ocean pollution as it is a current issue in the world today. With thousands of tons of trash emptied into oceans every day, I found it relevant to create my own version of protest by bringing awareness to the subject. Taking a closer look at the shell of the turtle, I have illustrated the symbols of the seven types of plastic, to represent an example of the harmful materials turtles and other marine life are innocently consuming. Finding plastics in turtles is becoming normal which is why I feel it is important to acknowledge the dangers marine life is facing. In the remaining parts of my composition I have included a plastic trash bag, which marine animals commonly mistake for food.