How does the Middle Level art program allow you to work with different mediums?
There are so many different mediums that we can work with in the Middle Level art program. The different mediums range anywhere from pencils to pipe cleaners or wire to watercolors. In my two years at NDP, I’ve used pencils, paints, pipe cleaners, fabrics, wires, clays, and feathers, just to name a few.
Which project has been your favorite?
My favorite project is the one that we are currently working on, our illuminated letters. In this project, we first learn about the different parts of a letter. Then, we pick out a font and use it to draw an initial of our name. We then draw pictures of our favorite hobbies and animals on the letter, and add color.
Of the many artists you have learned about in class, whom do you find most inspirational?
An artist which I think is very inspirational is Alexander Calder. We learned about his different wire sculptures as we were doing our wire projects. He is an inspiration because it’s truly amazing how much he could do using only wire and his imagination.
Would you like to continue taking art classes in high school, either as an elective or as an extracurricular?
I would definitely like to continue taking art classes in high school, probably as an elective.
Over all, how has the Middle Level art program helped you to improve your overall skills as an artist?
Since the sixth grade, the Middle Level art program has helped me to improve my art skills a lot! I’ve learned about contrasting, balancing, shading, intensities, hues, highlighting, and so much more. Before I would look at artwork and think, “Wow, that’s pretty,” but now I can really think about different techniques the artist uses, and, therefore, appreciate art more.