How long have you been a student at One River?

I’ve attended classes at One River since the pre-pandemic era, making it so that I’ve spent approximately four to five years at the institution. The majority of those years, if not all, were spent within the Teen Digital Art Shuffle Class, a course of study focused on the mastery of computer-based art. Initially, I expected to simply learn the basics of digital art and go from there, however I managed to fall in love with the multitude of unique projects offered within the class, triggering what many would describe as a passion. Nevertheless, I still managed to incorporate other mediums into my artistic adventures via a summer camp that focused on colored pencils, an experience that I recommend to anyone looking to expand beyond their current artistic abilities.

Tell us a little bit about your journey as a young and developing artist.

To be completely honest, I can’t exactly remember when I started my artistic journey, but if I had to guess it likely began when I was three to four years old. Mind you, my art at the time was mainly composed of scribbles on colorful pieces of cardstock but it provided the basis for development. From then on out, I became enamored with the pencil and paper, doodling anything and everything that came to mind. Naturally, this evolved into a desire to expand my artistic horizons that led me down a variety of paths—including charcoal, watercolor, and just paint in general—until I eventually ended up at One River where I continued to improve upon my skills. As I’m certain is the case with most artists, I am still refining my abilities, however I am confident that I will be somewhat satisfied with them in the distant future.

Which has been your favorite project to work on at One River and why?

Of all the amazing projects I’ve had the honor of working on at One River, my absolute favorite had to be the 80’s poster. While it is true that this project effectively crashed my monitor two times due to my own errors, it was actually extremely interesting. To elaborate, I typically work in a style similar to linework done via pens or pencils, however this project forced me out of my comfort zone by encouraging the use of solid monochrome shapes. This ultimately helped me see art in a new light, enhancing my growth as an artist in a way that interested me.

Describe One River in 3 words and tell us why

Inspirational, developmental, and inclusive. I’ve noticed a handful of traits customary to the institution –  the most prominent is One River’s focus on assisting one in their artistic journey. It doesn’t matter what skill level you come in with nor your experience with art. The moment you enter the doors you are placed into the care of so many amazing people that are all dedicated to helping you become the best artist you can and want to be. After class I return home to find myself more inclined to draw than ever, sometimes even to the point that I try drawing new subjects aside from my typical artistic focuses. The school provides you with what you need in order to develop into the person you want to be, a sentiment that I feel is especially true with my own instructor, Ms. Emma, who has greatly helped me to advance my artistic abilities through her tutelage.

What would you tell people who’ve never dabbled in art making are the real benefits to trying it?

How art affects someone varies but I have noticed a few particular benefits that seem to remain consistent. For some, creating art can serve as a stress reliever. I know from my own experience that after a long day spent at school, art helps me to relax, transporting me into a different headspace where the unpredictability of the world is muted. Art can also serve as a way to change one’s perspective. Initially, many artists are dissatisfied with their work, however by looking upon it in a different light with an open mind, the majority often find their conclusions to be mistaken. This can be a helpful skill to use in everyday life as it encourages one to consider multiple perspectives. Lastly, art can be a creative outlet that allows someone to express themselves without using words. For some people, particularly individuals who are considered less social than others, this is a great way to show the world (or just yourself) who you really are without any unnecessary stress.