Page 18 - the NOISE February 2016

inSpiRatiOn FOR a neW geneRatiOn
FROM LEFT: The photography of Taylor Hamilton; a detail of Fading Chiefs by Darvin Descheny; and the photographic stylings of Leslie Glass will be displayed in Coconino High School’s annual art show at Brandy’s this February.
storY BY
ClaiR anna ROSe
tHe inCrediBle artistrY of eMerGinG YoUtH
This February Brandy’s Restaurant continues to ring in the new Year by displaying the art of Flagstaff’s young artists, featuring work by Coconino High School students. In addition to drawing, painting, photography and ceramics, this year’s show will also be including pieces
from the woodshop and welding classes.
A photograph by Taylor Hamilton shows Oak Creek on a winter’s day. “It is of the snow on the rocks — trees surround the creek as the water flows,” Ms. Hamilton describes. “The fun part about getting this picture was hiking down through the ice and snow, while trying not to fall off the rocks into the creek. I was ecstatic when the picture turned out to be clear and in focus.”
Ms. Hamilton began studying photography her sophomore year of high school, and fell in love with the photography process. “As an artist my inspiration comes from the beauty and the little things, and from the want to capture a moment that won’t happen again,” she says.
nirvana’s band photographer Charles Peterson is a creative influence for the young photographer. “I was captured by how he managed to get rare photos of Kurt Cobain and the concerts,” she says.
One of her photographs won a first place ribbon at the Coconino County Fair, of which Ms. Hamilton says, “My favorite piece I took this year was the silhouette of tree leaves in my front yard. I love how I captured the light the sun cast on the mountain which became the background.”
In addition to being a photographer Ms. Hamilton is also an athlete — she is involved in school and club soccer, and is part of a ski team. she is a writer, enjoys science and is an avid reader. “I love reading because I can live so many different lives and it’s interesting to see what authors come up with,” she shares.
Leslie Glass is from the Pacific Islands and has lived in Flagstaff for one year. Her photograph chosen shows a pile of rusted metal odds and ends in black and white, with one object popping brightly out in orange. she first became interested in photography in 2009 when her father gave her a waterproof camera. “I started to use the camera around the town, going out to the ocean, going hiking and taking photos of games that happened,” she recalls. “I started to enjoy it, seeing the smiles on people’s faces and the beauty of the islands most people haven’t seen. My dad is a photographer and I love his photos. every day I try to take photos like him. I’ll spend hours in one place taking photos, or waiting for the perfect timing to take the photo no matter what time it is, or how the weather is.”
Before entering her photos in the Coconino County Fair, Ms. Glass had never shown her work before. she says she was curious what viewers thought of her pieces, and the experience helped build her confidence as a photographer. she aspires to one day be a soldier and combat photographer.
Photography teacher Tom Viskocil worked as a sports writer before he became a teacher. “I teach straight photography,” he describes. “As a former journalist, I do not believe in Photoshop. I get into a lot of arguments with other photography teachers and Photoshop lovers because I don’t believe those programs are photography. I try to teach my students to take the picture correctly so they don’t have to edit. I believe photography ends the second you push the button — anything after that is editing, manipulation or illustration. I teach mostly correct lighting, good composition and simplicity. The best photos are the simplest. I also love black and white photos, because you don’t have to worry about the color.”
He hopes while his students are in his class they will learn the fundamentals of good photography — lighting and composition. “with the cell phone becoming the camera of choice for students, taking quality photos without manipulation is something they can use throughout their whole life,” Mr. Viskocil says.
In the ceramics classroom, Cheryl Vignoli has had a wide variety of projects for her students. In addition to teaching Art I, Ceramics, and Drawing & Painting; she also hosts an art club that meets every Monday. Her Ceramic I students have been working on the basics — pinch pots, coil pots and slab work. Her more advanced ceramics classes will make carvings using Sgraffito technique, double pinch pots based on a favorite character, and teapots. she also hopes to introduce her more advanced students to the pottery wheel.
“My class is more than just making art, it’s about making friends with people you would never talk to otherwise,” she says. “I treat them as young adults and give them the respect they deserve. I enjoy getting to know each student on an individual basis, and learning what they are interested in to help them create the best art project they can make. I enjoy learning about their different cultures and traditions.”
she encourages her students to continue pursuing the arts after high school and has persuaded some of her students to study ceramics at CCC; some are hoping to minor in art, while others are looking into art schools.
For Deja Dayzie, the Sgraffito project was her favorite. “I did a crossover picture of Dr. Who and Sherlock,” says Ms. Dayzie. “I’m a huge fan of both of them and I tend to do my artwork based on my fandom.” The etching was made in dry clay; a process Ms. Vignoli says can be very challenging, since sometimes the clay cracks.
Originally from reno, nevada, Ms. Dayzie has spent most of her life in Flagstaff. she became interested in art when she took Ms. Vignoli’s Art I class as a freshman. Her favorite subjects are ceramics and astrology, and outside of school she enjoys tennis and video games.
An artist for over 20 years, Ben Proctor has a background in illustration, graphic design and cartooning. He has displayed his prints, drawings and paintings in shows throughout the years. students from his classes will be displaying works done using India ink, acrylic paint and mixed media.
Last semester his collective classes created 16 projects, and this semester will be assigned 23 more. On display at Brandy’s will be selections from a project where students designed their own album covers, and some projects submitted by advanced students in their chosen medium.
“As a collective group in our studio we focus on creativity, motivation, inspiration, time management, collaboration, classroom community and responsibility,” Mr. Proctor explains. “My hope is that the students come away from their time here knowing more about themselves
as both artists and individuals, as well as being well versed in many of the media they have worked with during their time in the studio.”
Fading Chiefs by Darvin Descheny was selected for the Brandy’s show. “It’s about tradition being lost in navajo culture,” he illustrates. “I used repetitive images much like Andy warhol, with violent, almost neon colors.”
Mr. Descheny is originally from white Cone, Arizona on the navajo reservation, and first became interested in art through his mother who would take him to her own art shows. “what inspires me is the chance to let my word out on topics people are afraid to talk about,” he says. when creating, the artist says, “I never think about creating art, I just get it done. I need music and I need to be alone. I then finish and look at what my mind was actually telling me.”
Though art is his main interest, Mr. Descheny also enjoys his Diné History class and Astronomy class. “As an artist, I want to be known for what I do and love what I do. The world has made everything about money and business, and I want to break that with the future artwork I produce,” he states.
Jade Smith was first introduced to art by her aunt, and has been teaching herself how to draw since she was a kid. This semester she experimented with spray paint for the first time, and also enjoyed being able to include characters from her favorite video game Bioshock into her art.
“After high school I will go to the Art Institute of Phoenix and study video game art and design,” she says. she hopes after college to create video game characters, and perhaps even have her work featured at Comic Cons.
The artwork of Coconino High school students will be on display at Brandy’s restaurant, 1500 e. Cedar Ave, February 9-March 7. There will be a reception for the artists February 25, 5-7PM. Brandysrestaurant.com
| Clair anna rose is film hoarder. clair@thenoise.us
18 • february 2016 • the NOISE arts & news • thenoise.us