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Art Student of the Week: Ruby Walker

"Every child is an artist," Pablo Picasso once said. "The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." In her four years in the art program at Niwot High School, Ruby Walker has matured as an artist and her work has improved immensely.

"Ruby is a dedicated and creative IB Visual Arts student," NHS art teacher, Beth Collier, said. "She is in her senior year, and it has been my pleasure to have had Ruby for much of her time at NHS. She has been growing and stretching as an artist, and that has been very rewarding to watch."

"I definitely cringe when I see my art from freshman year," Walker said. "I've taken art classes with Ms. Collier every day and she has helped me a lot with growing as an artist. I think I've definitely found my art style throughout these years and realized how much I love storytelling through art."

Walker has always been interested in art, but it was not until she entered middle school that she started creating fanart, art based on popular works such as books, movies, and television created by fans. From those imaginative creations she has gone on to develop an interest in watercolor, pen and ink, and embroidery.

"My art is fun," Walker said. "I like using bright colors and exaggerated shapes. The NHS' art program is awesome. I've always had a lot of freedom in what I make (especially in IB) and have had the resources provided to do so. Also, our art teachers are all very passionate about art which has been great."

Rufino Tamayo heavily influences Walker's work, especially the pieces Walker has created that evoke Latin America. "I love his art style and how he uses geometric shapes when painting animals," Walker said. "Other than that, a lot of artists online have inspired me. So much art is digital now, so people are holding back less and less. I love the overly saturated colors and weird subjects that people use now, more than ever."

Walker has also met many artists throughout high school that have inspired her. Her friend ReyLynn Killinger, for example, has been in her art classes every year, and the two of them have been able to help each other grow as artists throughout high school. "I love Niwot and I think that there is so much support for people who want to create," Walker said.

In addition to art, Walker enjoys watching movies and television, and she draws inspiration from the programs she enjoys. Her favorites are "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and "Community," which both inspire her creativity.

Last year, Walker and a friend founded Niwot Gender Studies, a discussion and activism-based club at Niwot High School which has been very supportive of their vision. Last year, the club held a "period product drive" at the high school to de-stigmatize menstrual periods while making pads more accessible for students. The club meets every other Friday at NHS after school. This year, the group hopes to work on more projects that bring awareness to issues related to gender inequality.

After high school, Walker is planning to study film and comedic writing in college, and she would like to write a television show in the future. While not directly connected to her experience as an artist, her interest in television has helped Walker realize how much she values storytelling.

 

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