Original artwork by two eighth-grade students from Catharine Blaine School was chosen and entered into the Seattle School District's annual Naramore Art Competition.
Esther Graves and Jamie Thelen were selected for the competition, which is open to all middle and high schools throughout the school district.
Grave's portfolio included the pieces "Reflection" and "Fish Behind Glass," and Thelen's portfolio contained "Toucan" and "In the Future."
A maximum of three portfolios was allowed from each middle school, with two pieces per portfolio.
The judging criteria included use of elements-meaning how the artist uses line, value, color, shape, space and form to communicate ideas and concepts visually. Other criteria included technique, composition, craftsmanship and originality.
When Thelen heard her artwork had been selected for the contest, she "was pretty excited," she said. Some of her artwork was entered in a different show last year as well.
Thelen said she enjoys art class; one of her favorite projects was constructing a collage by using paper and other objects. She added that art is one of her hobbies; she particularly enjoys drawing and using colored pencils.
Her piece "Toucan" was done with acrylic paint mimicking pointillism style. Thelen's other piece, "In the Future," was derived from a still life of her choosing.
Upon hearing about the contest, Graves commented, "I was surprised-I didn't know anything about it beforehand." Like Thelen, Esther said she enjoys art as a hobby; drawing and painting are her favorite. She explained that she likes to use acrylics or watercolors when she paints.
Grave's "Reflection" was also done in acrylics, following the pointillism method. The class assignment involved choosing a picture as inspiration for the student pieces. Esther said she wanted to use a landscape, and decided upon one with trees. For her second piece, she created a personalized still life; her intent was for the creation to be "surreal."
Both girls said they were excited to hear that their artwork is on sale. The artwork has been on display at the John Stanford Center for the past few weeks, and contest results were announced just this past week. Jamie received an honorable mention.
Ashley Marshall is a freelance writer covering the schools beat for Queen Anne and Magnolia. She can be contacted at rtjameson@nwlink.com.[[In-content Ad]]
