Bobcat Stories

The outside temperatures had plunged, but it was warm and cozy in Budagher Hall as visitors streamed in to enjoy the Winter Art Show, which opened on Tuesday, December 10. The show included work from all art classes. Watercolor bird paintings and digital images represented David Minkus’ 6th-grade artists from his Digital Media and Photography class. Alaura Nellos’ students contributed observational charcoal drawings of chilies—using value to provide the illusion of three dimensions—and some beautiful ceramic sculptures of gesturing hands. The students in Nick Otero's classes showcased a variety of projects, including some from the new Art Alchemy class, where the focus was on using natural pigments that the students had made themselves. Introduction to Studio Art class, taught by Sasha Custer, featured large oil pastel pieces depicting impressions of the bosque. The Portfolio Development class was represented by pieces from each student’s thesis work. The Advanced Spanish Seminar modified shoes in ways that reflected their work understanding of their unit on migration and their experience at the U.S.-Mexico border. Many of the exhibits were accompanied by an artist’s statement, narratives that deepen the work’s impact and relevance. In addition to viewing the exhibits, visitors were included in fun, hands-on activities, including watercolor cards, tin ornaments, and paper snowflakes.

 

Amelie ‘27 and Tac ‘27 were excited to be part of the show; they both painted landscapes. Amelie used watercolors to depict four views of the Tomboy Pass in the San Juan Mountain range, which she described as her favorite place. In the spring, it’s covered with wildflowers, and in the winter, feet of snow. She depicted it during the cool blue light of late summer. Watercolors helped her capture the scene’s dramatic lines and colors, although she said she found it challenging to get the right saturation of color in certain areas of the painting. She appreciates that her art teacher, Nick Otero, offers unique opportunities to expand her artistic horizons by trying new media, subjects, and techniques. Tac’s three miniature landscapes were focused on the sky at different times of the day—sunrise, sunset, and twilight. Using acrylics allowed them to create bold colors and rich blends to capture the various moods of the same sky. Both students spoke about how the Bosque School art program gives them a combination of creative freedom and access to the best materials to fulfill their visions.