Feature Artist

Name: Jordan Keyes

Grade: Junior

Q: What’s your favorite type of art?

A: My favorite would have to be either charcoal or graphite, although I work with charcoal more often.

Q: Why is charcoal your favorite?

A: What’s the best way to describe this? There are some things in art that are very cut and dry. With painting, you have to draw everything out and then paint it exactly how you pictured it.  But with charcoal it’s kind-of all over the place.  It doesn’t really matter if you mess up. To me, it’s like making mistakes, but using your mistakes to your advantage. And that’s what I love about it.

Q: What are some of the art classes you have taken?

A: The art classes that I have taken so far, including the ones I am taking right now, would be: Art I, Drawing, Advanced Drawing, and I am currently taking Ceramics and AP Art.  When I was in 7th grade, I got the chance to go to the University of Iowa for a week and work with a special artist, so that was cool.

Q: What does [the pictured] piece mean to you?

A: Most of my art doesn’t really have a meaning unless I plan it as a meaning.  The piece was more like, “Okay, this looks cool. I like this.” I don’t want to speak for every artist, because a lot of people do plan their works to have a meaning, but to me there doesn’t always need to have a meaning for a piece of art.

Q: Is your goal to become a professional artist?

A: I’ve thought about it. I have other career goals in mind, although I wouldn’t say no.

Q: Is there a specific artist that you admire?  Is there an artist you would like your pieces to look like?

A: Artists, in general, look up a lot of reference photos. There is art that you follow online…you see it and you admire it…it’s not any specific. The only one I can think of right now is Charley Bowater. She is a really good artist.