Art is a process; it takes practice, patience, and a steady hand. Freshman Eva Vang has had many years of practice developing her steady hand for art. Vang has been drawing for as long as she can remember.
“I’d say I began drawing the moment I picked up a pencil. Literally all my life,” Vang said.
Many things can spark an artist’s inspiration. For Vang, it’s a wide variety of things in her everyday life that inspire the art she creates.
“I think a lot of things inspire me, like the people I’m around, and things on the internet. I see other artworks and that inspires me a lot, and I’d say other artists that inspire me are kids my age and people I see on the internet,” Vang said.
Mentors in an artist’s journey are, at times, very helpful and effective in inspiring the artist’s best works, while also teaching them practical skills.
“Eva Vang is super talented. I remember her when I taught kindergarten, and she was in kindergarten art, and I’m super excited to have her. She’s only a freshman, and she made it to state this year for Youth Art Month. I hope she takes art classes next year,” art teacher Lori Rademann said.
Art can be about anything; it can be made for comics, picture books, films, advertisements, etc. It can also just be created for personal pleasure and overall well being.
“The act of creating stimulates dopamine production, providing us with a sense of pleasure and motivation to continue our artistic endeavor,” East End Arts & Humanities Council states on their website.
Rademann says she doesn’t have a favorite art project Vang has made this year so far, but since Vang is inspired by people in her art, her portraits are some of Rademann’s most beloved.
“She did a beautiful portrait of her eating noodles. It was such an everyday little thing, but it was beautiful. I really do like the one she made for Ms. Rost. It’s got these gold little highlights in it,” Rademann said.
Vang has sold art in the past and currently has some up for sale. Determining the price of one’s art can be tricky. Vang finds that taking a look at others’ pieces can be helpful.
“I mainly just look at the prices of other artworks that are also being shown where I’m selling my art, just as something to go off of,” Vang said.
Freshman Letty Strebelinski, a friend of Vang’s since the fourth grade, shares her thoughts on Vang’s growth as an artist.
“She’s always been a good artist. I feel like she notices a lot of things, and she’s just always drawing in her little notebook and anywhere on paper. She’s really good,” Strebelinski said.
Strebelinski recalls doing a collaborative art piece with Vang and a few other students in the elementary years of their friendship.
“One time in elementary school, it was her and I and a couple other people, we made a painting together for an art project,” Strebelinski said.
Rademann and Strebelinski share something in common, which is a liking for all Vang’s artistry, from big, elaborate paintings to small, quick sketches in her notebook.
“I love all her artwork, honestly, even just little drawings that she makes, not even necessarily an art piece. Any little doodle that she does,” Strebelinski said.
Vang says there aren’t many significant meanings behind her art, but just an outlet for the things in her mind.
“I make art about a lot of things. I don’t think there’s super deep meanings behind my art, but I like creating them after stories or sometimes things I have in my head,” Vang said. “I like art, I think art is amazing and everybody… is art.”