Painting the World
Janelle Tengco | Feb. 10, 2020 | Arts & Entertainment
In an art classroom at Stanton College Preparatory School, the strong odor of acrylic paint permeates the room as colorful pigments are smeared across papers. The room is filled with chatter and excitement and, in one corner, senior Olivia Bullock crafts an intricately designed piece to submit for her International Baccalaureate (IB) art portfolio. Bullock is one of the many students pursuing their passion for art at Stanton, and her avid devotion to the subject is seen in her drive to establish her presence in the world of visual arts.
Bullock’s passion for art emerged when she was in the midst of the IB program and furthering her interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). After being exposed to the works of artistic influencers, Bullock realized her creative talent and diverted her future plans for a career in art. She plans to take summer courses at the Savannah College of Art and Design to prepare herself for this endeavor.
“In junior year, I focused heavily on STEM,” said Bullock. “As the year went on, it got harder to focus on just STEM. I realized [art] is what I wanted to do and now I’m focused on going to college for animation and 3D design.”
Prior to creating an art piece, Bullock undergoes a personal process which involves reflecting on her development as an artist and current state of mind. This process has helped her create a distinct style in her works and demonstrate her individuality instead of conforming to current artistic trends.
“For my IB theme, it’s a very personal process about self-mediated help and how I can grow as a person,” said Bullock. “I’m constantly looking back at myself and thinking, ‘How are you doing right now? [What] do you want to do in the future? [What] did you do in the past?’ I use all of those three aspects of myself to pick an emotion that is relevant to me at the time and portray it in a past, present, or future sense.”
For Bullock, the most crucial part of her pieces is the insight she gains as she looks back onto her previous works. Creating these compositions enables her to establish a connection with them and foster an expressive outlet for her emotions.
“It depends on the theme I’m working on, but it’s how it makes me feel once I finish it,” said Bullock. “It’s a revelation and an accomplishment of something that I identified about myself. I like being able to illustrate it because talking to people is hard and art is the way I can visually express [my emotions].”
In her pieces, Bullock aims to convey a message or theme that resonates with her viewers. Her portrayal of these themes and messages have developed as she progresses in her art career at Stanton. With this emerging maturity, she has to accommodate her growing audience and the higher expectations for her work.
“I focus on myself personally, but I also have messages about issues with mental health and the stigma surrounding it, especially in a classroom environment,” said Bullock. “It often seems like students are lagging behind when, really, they’re putting up with difficulties, whether it be depression or anxiety.”
These themes and messages that Bullock conveys are a mirror of her own life. Though she wants her works to appeal to her viewers, she views art as an expressive channel to unveil the personal aspects and challenges she faces.
“The challenges I face personally with mental illness [have] influenced my themes,” said Bullock. “It makes me want to present it in a way that everyone can understand.”
Bullock’s portrayal of themes concerning mental health and her life is encouraged by her IB art teacher, Mrs. Carrie Santa-Lucia, who holds high expectations for her students’ works and the development they experience when creating their pieces. This can include exploring different mediums to use rather than resorting to an accustomed production process. Mrs. Santa-Lucia has observed Bullock’s growth and witnessed her experimental and bold styles.
“She has grown a lot more confident,” said Mrs. Santa-Lucia. “She’s not afraid to learn something new. She’s not afraid of a challenge, and I love to see that in art students because a lot of times we do things that we are good at and we stop there. She’ll take on new media processes and topics just to see what she can do with them.”
Regardless of her minimal experience in the subject, Bullock leaves a lasting impression on her viewers and teachers alike. Her strengths and individualistic style are acknowledged by Mrs. Santa-Lucia as she seeks to visually differentiate herself.
“She definitely has her own artistic voice and she knows what motivates her,” said Mrs. Santa-Lucia. “She pulls a lot from her own personal experiences, and it’s interesting to see her think through ideas and produce work because she’s not afraid to put herself out there.”
Choosing to pursue an art career instead of one associated with STEM, Bullock’s unfaltering devotion to her artistic passion is shown in her works. Her expressive take on mental health and her journey to self-discovery have helped to ensure her future in art remains a colorful one.