Pencils running carefully across the paper, steady motions and visioned patterns. Graphite left behind hints at the potential trapped within the paper. What it could be, shapes, pipes, even a hand, lies untold.
Senior Aurora Kekel has always had a love and passion for art. She has been in the Marching Pride color guard and
has recently been included in the National Art and Honors Society (NAHS) this year.
“Aurora approaches each project as an opportunity to be creative,” art instructor Alexandra LaBarr said. “She goes beyond just checking boxes for what she needs for a grade and treats it like a piece of work to be proud to show off.”
Kekel has made art in a variety of mediums, including oil pastel, sketching, painting, and sewing.
“One thing I’m really proud of so far is a skirt I’m making for homecoming,” Kekel said. “I’ve always wanted to make my own homecoming dress, so I started making it. The fabric costs a lot, but it’s really pretty.”
Even in a difficult medium, Kekel still works in detail so the final work matches her vision.
“My most recent favorite work from Aurora has been her Faux Stained Glass picture which was a class assignment focused on blending oil pastels,” LaBarr said. “Aurora created a sun and moon combined in the sky with rays of light
around it. The work is really detailed despite being done in oil pastel, a rather tricky media to get detail in.”
From here, Kekel has plans on pursuing an art degree after graduation.
“If you’re into art, but not sure if you want it as a career, just go for it,” Kekel said. “Even not as a career, you can make anything at the heart and it’s so freeing.”