Casey Clifford
Reporter
Everyday, hundreds of students, teachers and faculty members pass through the art gallery in the front hallway of the school. Beneath each piece lies the name of the artist written clearly for all to see. Yet most people don’t know that there are a number of students with unrecognized artistic talents here as well.
To many, sophomore Zach Seger is just a smart and athletic kid. But only Zach’s closest friends are aware of his hidden talent as an artist. Zach has been drawing ever since he was in preschool. “I draw in my planner and on worksheets I get in class,” he said. “I also have a couple sketchbooks at my house, but my planner is the easiest one to carry around.”
With doodles that range from dark deformed creatures to structured and geometric buildings, Zach is inspired to draw when he’s bored. “I usually start drawing something when I can’t think of anything to do, but I get addicted and can’t stop until I finish the doodle,” he said.
More than just entertainment, drawing has become an outlet for creativity for Zach. “Sometimes, I’ll draw if something is really bothering me because it’s a great way to take my mind off of it,” he said.
Like Zach, senior Sev Saiz also finds himself drawing in his free time. “A lot of times I’ll be sitting with nothing to do and just start drawing on stuff,” he said.
Although Sev doodles during frees and on worksheets, he prefers to draw on materials other than paper. Last year, Sev drew images of the Illuminati logo, which represents a controversial secret society, on desks and other surfaces throughout the high school in an attempt to draw attention to his work. “I like being contrary and drawing things that make people stop and think, which is why I drew the Illuminati,” he said.
Junior Lily Martin is another artist whose talent is unknown by most of the school. Although Lily started drawing at a young age, she began to take an interest in it in eighth grade. Her favorite subject to draw is the human face. “I am inspired by people and their emotion,” she said. “The expression in someone’s face can be so complicated and interesting that it’s art in itself.”
Despite her talent, Lily is worried about the practicality of becoming a professional artist. “I would love to pursue art in the future but I’m discouraged by how many talented artists there are,” she said. “I don’t think I’ll end up going to an art school.”
Sev had similar concerns. “I love art but it’s really just a hobby,” he said. “I want to be successful in the future and the chances of that happening because of my art are low.”
Unlike Sev and Lily, Zach is hopeful that he will someday make a future for himself through art. “I’d like to pursue art in the future and it would be nice making a living for doing something that I love,” he said. “Drawing has always come relatively easily for me and I’m always proud of the drawings when I’m finished.”
