As early as she can remember, junior Carolina Villadiego found herself drawn to art, attributable to her grandmother’s encouragement during her early childhood. “I’ve been interested in art for most of my life. When my grandma would babysit me as a child, she would [motivate] me to draw if I was bored,” she reflected. Additionally, the supportive environment provided by teachers has played a crucial role in nurturing her talents since elementary school.
From those early days, her love for art has only deepened. For Villadiego, art is more than just a hobby; it is a source of joy and fulfillment. “I enjoy art because it makes me happy, and I feel accomplished after finishing a project,” she explained. Villadiego’s artistic journey has seen her progress from Studio Art to Drawing and Painting 1, leading up to Drawing and Painting 2, and culminating in her current pursuit of AP Drawing. Reflecting on her experiences, she shared, “My favorite class has been AP Drawing because we are encouraged to try different mediums and techniques.” Even amidst the overwhelmingness and difficulty of AP Drawing, Villadiego thrives, finding satisfaction in producing high-quality work within tight deadlines.
In her exploration of artistic mediums, Villadiego has recently found herself drawn to mixed media, specifically markers and colored pencils: “I used them for the first time this year and I really liked the combination.” One of her favorite pieces she created this year blended markers with a unique color palette. She elaborated, “It was my first time using markers for a piece, [and] I found a love for the vibrancy of the markers and vibrant color palettes in general.” What makes this piece significant to Villadiego is not just the use of a new medium, but also her innovative approach to color. “Besides experimenting with the medium, I also experimented with the color palette by using an
orange light while taking my reference photos,” Villadiego explained. She also appreciates how colored pencils allow her to add intricate details, ultimately adding depth and cohesion to her artwork.
The source of Villadiego’s inspiration for her pieces mostly sprouts from artists on social media. She currently garners most of her artistic insight from contemporary oil artists like Alai Ganuza. Villadiego enjoys Ganuza’s distinctive approach to art by infusing realism with more colorful and lively elements. “While following [Ganuza’s Instagram] account, I have learned a lot about color theory and how to make my own paintings more saturated by using a complementary color underpainting,” she shared.
Beyond the art studio, Villadiego finds passion in her involvement with the National Art Honor Society (NAHS), showcasing her commitment to using art as a positive good. “My favorite part about participating in the NAHS is that we are able to make a positive impact on the world through art. For example, our most recent project was the Memory Project, which is where we [made] portraits for little kids across the world. Most of the children have had hard lives and currently live in orphanages, and they get very excited to have a painting personally made for them. I really enjoyed participating in this project because it was a rewarding feeling knowing I was able to use my talents for a good cause,” she reminisced.
Villadiego’s artistic growth over the past few years has been nothing short of remarkable, as witnessed by fellow art student and junior Ana Juarez. Juarez, who has been close friends with Villadiego for over five years, admires Villadiego’s growth both as an artist and as a person. When asked about what is most unique about Villadiego’s artistic craft, Juarez shared, “The most unique part about [Carolina’s] artistic abilities is not solely just her technique, but her visual communication. Each piece conveys a story, memory, or purpose. She pours her heart into whatever she is making, and that drive is what makes her art special.”
Although Villadiego has one more year left at LHS, looking ahead, she remains dedicated to her artistic journey, eager to explore the possibilities that lie ahead. While her future path is still uncertain, Villadiego plans to study an art-related field in college.
