Thinking big when it comes to art

When Wilmington High School senior Apryl Proffitt thinks art, she’s not afraid to think big.

Students at Wilmington High School love the art classes that are available as a way to grow and understand concepts of color theory and working with different mediums.

Proffitt, specializes in larger pieces. In her words, the details are easier to execute in larger paintings than smaller ones. When it comes to small pieces the details are harder to get right. While smaller pieces take less time, for her personally, larger pieces truly capture the details she tries to convey in her pieces.

Most of her artwork are of people, “They have so much behind their outside you never know how a person truly feels, and I think art is a great way to express that.”

Proffitt works mostly with colored pencils due to the control she has over the pigment. But, when she has extra motivation she loves trying to work with other mediums including oil paints, and water colors.

Her inspiration comes from the world around us. She has a beautiful ability to take both positive and negative experiences, and turn them into beautiful, meaningful artwork.

“Every piece of art has meaning. I think that, although there is not always a deep meaning to things. Every person that takes art seriously has a meaning behind what they put on a blank canvas. What is put in an art piece reflects what is going on in the head of the artist.”

According to art teacher Warren Miller, Apryl always rises to the challenge with a natural talent. He noted that she is always willing to put in the effort and pushes the boundaries set for her and by herself.

The difficult perspective of creating larger scale pieces include good planning, the structure, the materials needed, the effort that goes into the creation, and of course the home for it after it is made.

“I like my students at that level to challenge themselves; I have them work on a variety of scales, as well as mediums, pushing their work,” Miller said. While he offers guidance for the benefit of his students, he believe it’s up to each student to express themselves and make the project their own.