Jenna Riordan, a junior, doesn’t just see art as various lines and colors on a paper. She truly does feel the art.
Riordan discovered her passion for art at a young age. She joked about her first encounter with art: “I first discovered my passion for art when I began eating play dough at the age of 4, but eventually, play dough turned into painting in kindergarten, when I figured out that art class was how I could express myself and become creative.”
Riordan has the ability to see colors when listening to music. This is a trait of someone who has synesthesia. Certain sounds can trigger certain colors, and this has been something that has affected Riordan’s art. “I listen to music 24/7 and songs are like colors in my head so I actually get inspired by songs a lot for my drawings.”
Riordan thinks in color; particularly when listening to music. The many colors of her imagination can be seen coming out of these artistic hands
Riordan spends the majority of her free time drawing with her favorite medium of art: colored pencils. She has special pencils that function like watercolors: when she paints over the color, they morph like a watercolor would. This makes her pieces unique and blend smoothly.
Riordan’s talents are not limited to just one medium. She also enjoys using charcoal, normal pencils, and paints.
Riordan loves to work with charcoal along with a wide array of other tools
The Pleasant Valley art department is known to house very talented and motivated artists, and Riordan is among those students. Every year of her high school career, Riordan has taken two art classes. She joked that she would have taken more art classes if math was not required. Riordan likes how it pushes her to try art forms she may not have otherwise tried. “Right now I’m in photography, which is a different perspective for me since I’m used to drawing, but I love it.”
Riordan plans on pursuing art after high school, and plans on taking AP Art next school year to build her portfolio. Riordan has an interest in graphic design and fine art.
Riordan’s art is an extension of herself. Junior Regan Denny shared her reverence for Riordan. “Jenna is one of the most genuine and kind-hearted people I know. Her love spreads to her art work and I think that is why she is so talented. She just loves doing what she does.”
Whether it be on a canvas or in school, Riordan spreads love wherever she goes. Art is so much more to her than some lines and color on paper. “My favorite thing about art is that there are no rules. It’s expressive. When I don’t know how to say it, I draw it. Art is complex and unique, and connects to the human soul. Art can be anything you want it to be, and that’s beautiful.”
