Ryan McNeill

A smooth cloth, a soft brush, the sound of an acoustic guitar, and the smell of hot tea; here I am in the art studio. When I was younger I loved to draw and enjoyed art class, but never pursued it on my own. Going into freshman year at my new high school, I decided to take a studio art class. My first class was at the end of the day, following syllabus after syllabus in every other class. I knew this class would be different. I walked in, and John Mayer was playing on the radio, there was hot water for tea, and a paper and pencil for our relaxing activity. I was going to love this class.

As the year went on I looked forward to art class every day, constantly checking my schedule for when I could get back into the studio. I often came into the studio during my free periods to start a project outside of class. I found my calling when I began experimenting with acrylic paint and canvas. I have painted landscape after landscape, trying to master the colors of the sun's reflection off the water and the texture of the palm tree trunks.

Sadly I could not fit studio art into my first semester of senior year, but am working on a mural in my free time to thank Malvern Prep for helping me find what I love. I plan to hang this mural outside of the art building.