Questions with teacher Chris Jones
Mr. Chris Jones
Has this school year been any different or similar to previous school years when it comes to your art classes?
Every year is different in that every group of kids is different and they all have different personalities and dynamics.
This year we changed the junior high classes’ format where seventh graders take art first semester and eighth graders take it second semester. Now we have Art 1 first semester and Art 2 second semester. The classes are now a blend of seventh and eighth graders.
Do you plan on making any changes to any of the art classes at all?
Next year we’ll be dropping the Art History classes that have been offered as a third year high school art class to a 2-dimensional class. Kids will do a lot of the same work, but we will focus more on mastering particular media and working on some specific skills and techniques.
Do you have any advice for the upcoming art students?
I urge kids to always be working and practicing. In addition, it never hurts to keep your eyes open and explore things other artists have done or are doing. There are hundreds of museums, books and websites available to look at others’ artwork. Get out there and see what other people are doing!
What is your favorite thing about teaching art?
I like seeing kids develop and explore their talents. When kids come up with a unique solution to a visual problem that they’ve created themselves, it’s really cool to see how proud they are of what they’ve accomplished.
What is your least favorite thing about teaching art?
Kids who either think they CAN’T do something, aren’t willing to try or aren’t willing to WORK to produce something of quality.
I HATE mediocrity and laziness.
If you had not have decided to go into teaching, what other career had you thought about pursuing?
I REALLY don’t know what I would have done had I not gone into teaching. I guess I may have gone into some kind of design work.
Feature by Brianna Phillips
Student Art Feature: Rachel Manship
Rachel Manship, Senior
What is the title of your favorite art piece?
Me and my cat.
What medium did you use to complete this piece?
I used water colors.
How long did it take for you to complete this piece?
It took about two weeks.
What will you be working on next?
A portrait of me and my niece.
Do you plan on pursuing a career that involves some form of art?
Yes.
If yes, what career do you want to pursue?
Taxidermy.
Feature by Brianna Phillips
Studnet Art Feature: Brianna Phillips
Junior Brianna Phillips
What is the title of your favorite art piece?
Ink Barn.
What medium did you use to complete this piece?
I used ink to complete this.
How long did it take for you to complete this piece?
It took about a week and a half to complete, maybe two.
What will you be working on next?
As of right now I am working on a self portrait, and I will be working on self portraits until the end of the year.
Do you plan to pursue a career that involves some form of art?
Yes, I do. I plan on becoming a tattoo artist.
Feature by Brianna Phillips
JH Student Art Feature: Blake Roberts
Eighth grader Blake Roberts
What medium did you use to complete this piece?
I used a Sharpie this was a pointillism piece.
What is your personal favorite thing about this piece?
It seemed easier to shade with pointillism than to use a pencil or colored pencil.
How long did it take to complete this piece?
It took about two and half to three weeks to complete.
What assignment will you be working on next?
We will be working on calligraphy.
Do you plan on taking an art class next year?
Yes, I do.
Student Art Feature: Taylor Samsil
Taylor Samsil
What is the title of your favorite piece?
Closed Waters.
What medium did you use to complete this piece?
I used pastels.
How long did it take to complete this piece?
It took about two weeks to complete.
What will you be working on next?
I will be working on human figures next.
Do you plan on pursuing a career that involves some form of art?
Not at all.
Feature by Brianna Phillips
Junior High Student Art Feature: Rachel Cadle
Rachel Cadle
What type of medium did you use to complete this piece?
I used water color paint to complete the piece.
What do you like best about this piece?
My favorite part was blending the colors.
How long did it take to complete this piece?
It took about two weeks to complete.
What will you be working on next?
We will be working on landscapes.
Do you plan on taking any other art classes next year?
Yes, I do.
Feature by Brianna Phillips
Student Art Feature: Zach Bradbury
Zach Bradbury
What is the title of your favorite piece?
It is called “Picture This”.
How long did it take to complete this piece?
It took about a week and a half.
What medium did you use for this piece?
I used a graphite pencil and paper.
What will you be working on next?
I will be working on a giant octopus.
Will you be pursuing a career that involves art in some way?
I probably will not.
Feature by Bri Phillips
Student Art Feature: Ashley Toliver
Ashley Toliver
What is the title of your favorite piece?
Just me.
What medium did you use to complete this piece?
Paint.
How long did it take to complete this?
About, a week and a half.
What do you like most about it?
Just doing the painting was my favorite part.
What will you be working on next?
A portrait using pastels.
Are you interested in a career that involves some form of art?
Not Really, but I will continue doing it in my spare time.
Feature and Photos by Bri Phillips
Student Art Feature: Kyle Street
What has been your favorite assignment so far?
Pointillism
How long did it take to complete this piece?
It took about a week and a half.
Do you plan on continuing art classes in high school?
I’m not really sure.
What assignment will you be working on next?
We will be working on the Georgia O’Keefe inspired watercolor assignment.
Feature By Brianna Phillips
Student Art Feature: Tyler Line
Tyler Line
What is the title of your favorite piece?
It doesn’t have a title but if I had to name it, it would be “awesomeness.”
What do you like most about this piece?
That I worked really hard on it, and it turned out pretty well.
What medium was used to complete this?
I used paper and pencil.
How long did it take to complete this piece?
About two weeks to finish.
What will you be working on next?
A poster for the Orange County Music and Heritage Reunion.
Do you plan on pursuing a career that involves some type of art?
Yes, I really want my career to involve art in some form.
Feature and Photos by Bri Phillips
Student Art Feature: Shelby Rubuck
Shelby Rebuck
What is the title of your favorite art piece?
My self portrait.
What is the medium of your favorite art piece?
Graphite.
How long did it take to complete?
About two weeks.
What has been your favorite art assignment so far?
Making my monogram! It was really fun because I had never done anything like it before. It looked like a really cool neon sign!
What will you be working on next?
Right now in class, I am working on a pointillism of a tennis ball and a racquet at a tennis court. I knew I had to do something that had to do with tennis, because it is my favorite sport!
Feature By Bri Phillips
Student Art Feature: Senior Alleigh Becht
What is the name of your favorite piece?
Love/Hate
How long did it take to complete the piece?
It took two weeks to complete.
What are you going to be working on later?
A big mural for the school and some portraits.
Are you going to be submitting a portfolio at the end of the year?
Yes.
Do you plan on pursuing an occupation that is art related?
I am thinking about majoring in graphic design.
By Bri Phillips
Student Art Feature: Senior Alexys Gilespie
Title of artwork: Colored Pencil Portrait.
What piece of your own do you like best?
“I like my colored pencil portrait best.”
What are you working on as of right now?
“I am working on another portrait for my portfolio.”
Tell me a little more about what you are working on?
“I am working on my concentration section for my portfolio. My concentration is portraits of myself with different lighting and emotion.”
What do you plan on working on next?
“The REMC calendar competition.”
By Bri Phillips
