MAC May Student Spotlight: Barrett

MAC hosted our 2nd Annual Student Art Show earlier this month, and it was a huge success! We were so impressed with creativity of the students' works and touched by their interpretation of the theme "Sanctuary: A Small Safe Place in a Troubling World". Everyone's pieces look so great together on the gallery wall, which is on display until June 8 if you haven't checked it out already! Something new about this year's show was our partnership with Mammoth Hospital, where they selected 8 pieces to be on display at the new hospital lobby for the next year.

This month we decided to talk to Barrett, a 7th grader at MMS whose work was accepted into the Mammoth Hospital Art Contest! We were surprised to learn about the techniques he used to create his artwork. Keep reading to learn more and scroll down to see his piece!

Why do you love art?

I used to draw for fun when I was younger and I liked drawing my family.

I kept drawing and I liked that I got better and better. 

What is a favorite piece of art you have created?

My favorite piece of art I created was when I was in Valentine Paint and Nature Club. I was gonna paint a snake but it turned out to look like a tree, so I turned my mistake into a beautiful landscape. 

What would you say to a friend to get them interested in art?

You should start off slow, draw simple things, try to add texture and keep on doing it. If you feel like it, you’ll get better and have more passion for it. 

Do you think art is important? Why?

For me, I wouldn’t say so. I don't take art that seriously. You put hard work into it and you have to care about it, but I do it just for fun. 

What do you love to create the most?

I find interest in painting vast landscapes that make you feel like you’re there.

In the Sanctuary piece (pictured below), I used leaves and blades of grass to create the textures. 

Anything else we should know? Is there any kind of art you wish you could try? 

I would say if you want to focus on art you have to really pay attention. Don’t get carried away and focus on the topic. If you focus you’ll make a beautiful masterpiece. When I don’t focus I make slop. I also want to try oil pastels and get good at it, because it can be useful for blending.

Barrett's piece "Sanctuary" can be viewed at the Mammoth Hospital lobby for the next year!