Artists are everywhere; from the kids doodling on their homework to the minds behind famous paintings selling for millions. Each one starts somewhere, and Artist of the Month highlights great artists finding their start.
This month, the Art Department selected freshman Solan Barger. Barger found a love for art early on, a love that carried with her all the way to her freshman year where she is now taking Foundation Arts 2, with Ms. Dani Perry.
“Solan always comes in with a smile on her face,” Perry said. “She always has a really good attitude towards learning new things and puts 110% into her work.”
For many artists, they find inspiration in outside sources. Whether that be a friend or family member, the beauty of the world, or a specific interest. Barger, however, is a little different.
“I think getting better probably motivates me the most,” Barger said. “I’m trying to get as good as I can, but rather more to my own approval than others. And I’m just not at that point yet.”
However, Barger most definitely receives the approval of others in the Art Department. Both Ms. Perry and Mrs. Alexandra Labarr praised her hard work and unique art style.
“I have her not in class but in National Arts Honor Society, but from what I’ve seen she’s very detail oriented,” Labarr said. “We’re working on Homecoming parade stuff right now and she’s just been working really hard and is making stuff look great.”
“She uses really vibrant colors in really unexpected ways,” Perry said. “In her two point perspective city she used oil pastel and water color and a big mix of media that I just wasn’t expecting her to. It was just really surprising to see that so early on in the semester.”
Any artist will tell you that art is important to them. The responses you’ll get vary from person to person, but you’ll find that each artist is passionate about art for some reason.
“I think it’s just being able to put things on paper that are seen,” Barger said. “I think it’s really cool to be able to see something and recreate it.”
Everyone, regardless of whether they’re an artist or not, will face challenges. Challenges are part of life and part of growing. For artists, that ranges from societal approval to lack of materials. Or for some, like Barger, self approval.
“Self approval is definitely my biggest challenge,” Barger said. “Just because I want my art to be good by my standards.”
Artists of the month don’t just represent good art. They represent a good effect on those around them like those they share a class with. According to Perry, Barger exhibits that trait.
“I’d say she definitely brings a lot of joy to the class,” Perry said. “Even if it’s kind of dull and rainy outside and the vibes are low, she’ll come in and greet everyone and she’s very happy. She makes her classmates happy, and I think she’s always really good about helping people who are confused.”
The traits of an artist of the month lie outside of just being good at art. It consists of an artist’s attitude towards art, themselves, their classmates and teachers, and the way they present themselves.
“Be yourself as much as possible,” Barger said. “Because you’re the only person you should be trying to impress in your life.”
