NP art student Jeanne Shi fills us in on her personal experiences with art and shows us another commendable example of the numerous talented students, artists, musicians, athletes, and club members that consume the hallways and classrooms of our school.
Q: How long have you been interested in art?
Jeanne: Ever since I was a little child, I just loved to sit there and draw. I took a few informal lessons here and there but didn’t really start drawing seriously until high school.
Q: How did you first get started?
Jeanne: I remember joining this art club at my old elementary school in Kentucky, and they were basically informal lessons by this awesome artist who volunteered to teach us. I guess I can say that is when I realized that I loved art. Then my “love” kind of went into recession until I started taking art in high school. And that’s when I started taking art more seriously.
Q: Do you have a favorite kind of art?
Jeanne: I actually don’t have a particular favorite kind of art; I generally like anything that catches my eye, whether it’s really beautifully composed or if it’s slightly surreal. I like art that has “life” in it.
Q: In your opinion, what is the best thing about art?
Jeanne: Art is kind of magical; you can put something you see, or something in your head on paper. And you put what you see through a filter that makes the scene distinctly yours. This “magic” is what I love about art.
Q: What is the best part of art here at NPHS?
Jeanne: North Penn Art is great because of all the resources (though that is unfortunately dwindling some due to budget cuts) and the awesome teachers we have. Also, all the peers we have that can help us out and critique out work is also great.
Q: Do you want to pursue an artistic career after high school?
Jeanne: I don’t plan to pursue an art career after high school because I’m also very invested in math and science. But I really don’t know what I want do in college or when I leave college so the future is open to possibilities. I do know, however, that I will always love art and if it’s not a career, it’ll be a hobby at least.