Kimiya Oshikoji, senior
Beginning his drawing career in the fourth grade, Kimiya has experimented with art throughout his life. He didn’t realize his true abilities until he enrolled in Drawing I junior year followed by Studio Art AP and Drawing II as a senior.

“I didn’t ever think I was really good at drawing,” Kimiya said. “But after you see the paintings from far away, you actually can see that you have talent.”

He first experimented with drawing Pokémon characters and other television and game characters. In later years he picked up graffiti art, drawing different sketches and words to express emotion.

“Over the summer I had a 40-page sketch book and every day I’d make a small sketch,” Kimiya said.

Once he discovered his true talents, his artistic career developed to its present status.

Studio Art AP teacher Christine An describes Kimiyoshi as “very creative and intelligent,” and also finds his thought process interesting.

“That’s one of the crucial elements in artists,” An said. “Coming up with unconventional ideas and really challenging oneself to see, ‘what can I do with it?”

An says that Kimiya especially excels in pen and ink drawings, and believes this will greatly benefit him in his future career.

“If I get accepted into the right schools, I really want to get into architecture,” Kimiya said. “As long as I have hands, I’ll be making drawings.”

Valerie Tam, senior
Valerie’s art career began in elementary school, when her class first began weekly art sessions. High school provided her with the opportunity to take Web Design, followed by Drawing I and Studio Art AP.

“In high school it just felt like something I would do, and I knew that it was something that was going to be in my life for a while,” Valerie said.

Valerie also enjoys photography and is adept at seeing beauty around her.

“I like to take pictures anytime, even just walking around,” Valerie said. “I see all these different compositions that I can make from one object, or one scenery or landscape.”

Valerie is described by An as “super-organized and hardworking” with a “really good sense of design.”

“She doesn’t depend on her teachers to give her everything, she tends to do things on her own,” An said. “She’s responsible enough to come and see me to get feedback.”

Valerie hopes to keep art as a hobby in her future, although likely noy as a profession due to the difficulty of being successful.

“Even when I’m 40 years old I’m still going to take pictures or make little doodles once in a while,” Valerie said.

Alexis Sullivan, senior
Alexis has been taking art classes for all four years of high school. She was first introduced to drawing by her mother, who is an artist, but the real turning point in Alexis’ artistic career came during her freshman year when she took Drawing I.

“I just loved it,” Alexis said. “I really knew that this is what I wanted to do.”

Alexis likes to use mainly pencil drawings, opting for realistic images as opposed to abstract. However, she feels that moving beyond her comfort zone has helped her grow as an artist.

“I like [the class] because you get to work in a lot of media, and it’s helped me expand my own artwork,” Alexis said. “When you’re an artist, you can’t just focus on one medium.”

According to An, Alexis’ dedication and focus have helped her succeed in art.

“A lot of people have a difficult time doing realism,” An said. “[Alexis’] ability to focus and not worry are crucial points in her success with realism.”

Classroom interactions with her peers have also helped Alexis mature and hone her own skills.

“We all have different styles, and it helps to watch them and watch their techniques to improve my own,” Alexis said.

As for herself, however, Alexis is not sure as to how she will be involved with art after high school.

“I’m hoping in college to at least take an art history class,” Alexis said.