Exploring Empathy, Gold Key Portfolio, Kaeli Berry, James River High School

Artist Statement

For years, I have found the concept of empathy intriguing and gravely underrated. I believe seeing someone from their own perspective is a superpower not enough people talk about. In this portfolio, I tried to think of unique takes on empathy that will inspire the viewer to really consider it in a way they hadn’t before. I have done my best to display empathy in my semi-realistic and colorful style. The technique I’ve developed to create my art is a base layer of alcohol markers, a colored pencil layer for refinements of color and details, and finally gouache touch-ups if needed. Also, when drawing people, I’ve found there are far more interesting values than you may assume that can be utilized to render skin. Searching for the blues, reds, and yellows in skin brings life to the people I draw.

Personal Statement

Art has always been my outlet, whether it be visual or musical. Since the 1st grade I’ve been showcasing my passion for music. I've realized there’s power in my passion and abilities that can impact the people who see it. For example, I play instruments and sing in my community to brighten it with music. I play in my Church’s worship band to proclaim what I believe. I am loud about it too- everyone knows me as a performer, and maybe that inspires others to do the same. But until this year, I have never felt able to make a difference with my visual art, so I’ve taken on the task to make something meaningful with it. I’ve made something that I feel very passionately about and speaks to an idea with so much potential in the world. I am so glad I have found a way to do with visual art what I’ve done for so long with music.

Rachael’s Portfolio, Gold Key Portfolio, Rachael Turnbull, Patrick Henry High School

Artist Statement

I enjoy creating art because it uses a different part of my brain, and at different times, it gives me a break from other things or helps me connect dots. Some artists develop plans or visions for their projects. So far, I haven’t followed that approach. My inspiration for my subjects and stories doesn’t come from a specific topic or aesthetic; I just allow my ADHD to take over and let my mind wander. Ultimately, I feel like my artwork is more interesting when I haven’t forced an idea and have instead let it come to me. One common theme in some of my works, however, is the animal kingdom. Animals have always been important to me. I love the intricacy of them and have always been fascinated by the differences in their anatomies compared to humans. Even when an assignment isn’t about an animal, I’ll do my best to add an element that connects to the animal kingdom. For example, when I was asked to make a jar, I immediately had the idea to make the body of the jar a rib cage. What transpired over the following weeks was a piece I call “Hannibal’s Delight,” alluding to the popular horror film. No one could have predicted how the project would end up, not even me. So, for now, I try to make my creations unpredictable, as I learn new mediums and methods. I like being unpredictable. If people could predict what I will make next, it wouldn’t be very fun to make. Everyone, even me, should be surprised.

Personal Statement

I don’t remember when I first tried to read, but by the time I was in high school I knew that it wouldn’t be my favorite thing. Yes, my parents read me to sleep every night. And yes, my teachers always encouraged me to read more books. But, despite their hard work, I couldn’t appreciate reading the same way they did. Despite always liking the idea of reading and escaping inside a book, I could never make it a reality. Reading never made any sense. Even though I’ve been gifted with a vivid imagination, I couldn’t envision the stories. But a vivid imagination isn’t my only “superpower.” Others (e.g., my parents), would say that my real “superpower” is stubbornness. It’s inherited, I remind them. But stubbornness isn’t always a bad thing. In middle school, I learned how to use my stubbornness to my advantage. Stubbornly, my parents and I tried every reading technique they teach in school, like using a sheet of paper to block out the lines below. Stubbornly, we got a reading specialist to help me comprehend books better. Everything we tried had the same outcome: I couldn’t consistently comprehend what I was reading. Stubbornly, we went twice to a learning specialist to see if I was dyslexic. Results showed no dyslexia, but they did show I had an Attention-Deficient/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). With that diagnosis, the doorway to understanding opened for me. I would never have gotten diagnosed with ADHD if it weren’t for my “superpower.” I discovered ADHD isn’t necessarily bad. Even with my newfound understanding, I hadn’t found a solution to my reading. Videos with book summaries didn’t help. The scribble method, where I would scribble while somebody else read to me, only worked somewhat. Stubbornly, we tried as many things as we could. And then I tried old things again like audiobooks, but with new twists. My second attempt was difficult because I had failed the first time, but I tried reading a physical copy of the book while listening to it. Slowly, I began picking up the content. My newfound technique has made it more enjoyable to read. It’s much easier to pick up on the richness of a story. My own stress has decreased. To be clear, I won’t say that I fully enjoy it, and maybe I won’t ever enjoy reading as much as others; but it won’t feel like a chore, and that’s a start. A book I read recently resonated with me. In The Things They Carried, author Tim O’Brien addressed what the soldier’s carried physically, mentally and emotionally from their experience during the Vietnam War. My experience over the years stubbornly learning how to connect with the written word certainly wasn’t a war, but I will carry it with me as I tackle my next chapter and the chapters after that. It wasn’t an easy journey, but also wasn’t a bad one. In many ways, it helped me grow up.