Priscilla Lambert

Visual Arts Department

This baby was over 55 megabytes alone and the timelapse was almost 22 minutes. Chunky!

Sweet Metanoia

2020

Digital Media - Procreate App

4885x7667 px ; 16.3x25.6 in.

Before coming to Dreyfoos as a freshman, I was incredibly insecure about my art in every aspect imaginable. I constantly thought about what others thought of my work and how they defined me as an artist. For a very long time, I made art that was for the bettering of my reputation as a skilled artist rather than what I truly wanted to make. Although I liked what I produced, much of the joy when creating was cloaked with the dread of asking if it was “good enough” for others to see. The summer before this year is when all of it changed; I realized that I would burn out if I kept doing that to myself. That if I tried to squeeze too much meaning into pieces, the pieces would lose meaning, and I would lose myself and my lifelong interest. This piece, for me, is the epitome of what I have worked so hard to achieve: acceptance of myself and my art, even if it interests only me. I wanted to make something that would make me- not some abstract representation of the art world and all of its critics- happy. Each level of the piece tells more about myself than I could ever intend. My initial concept was simply putting my friends in historical dresses surrounded by sweet food- just because I love painting those concepts alone. It turned out to be so much more than just that.

I found myself indulging in my favourite historical periods and using dresses and accessories appropriate for the era, researching countless hours for the right patterns and colours for the time. History, especially European history, is one of my major interests. I’ve always loved it for as long as I can remember. By having these dresses be so significant to the piece, it goes to show exactly how important my interest in history is to me- to be able to intertwine with my art.

Making sweets for my friends has always been a special facet of who I am; I wanted to put that part of me in a piece that would define me for a good while. When deciding what food to put in, I had originally chosen desserts for the sheer aesthetic. I had thought about making concentrations based on food multiple times, even considering making a concentration for only myself for it. But I never did- out of forgetfulness and time constraints, I never ended up creating that ideal set of pieces (I still want to...). So, I decided to put that same amount of love and effort in perfecting each dessert in my senior piece as I would have making a series.

For the most important part, the subjects, I chose to scrap using online models or other paintings for facial features, and used my friends instead. There’s something really beautiful about knowing the person you make art of. You notice little features that are normally not realized, appreciating them more than you could ever imagine. The beauty of people who exist in our lives is often taken for granted. The warmest feeling in the world is making art of someone, only to find out you are the first to do so; being the first to document natural beauty in a way photography can’t is an irreplaceable series of emotions that I can’t even begin to describe well enough. I’ve realized over the course of my time in highschool that having friends is the most important- that improving my skills can only come through strengthening my connections with others.

In making a piece designed to make only myself happy, I have made so many others happy as well. While I have struggled a bit with my need for perfection and file size limits, this piece has established itself as an important part of my portfolio. She stands at a whopping 55 megabytes, with the timelapsed video clocking in at almost 22 minutes. This piece signifies the growth of myself from someone afraid to come out of their shell to someone who isn’t afraid to express the love and adoration they have for the various people and things around them. I’m so, so excited to be able to share this with everyone.

Full image of header!!

Dear Class of 2020 ...

Everyone-

The four years I've spent here have been the happiest in my entire life. Dreyfoos has a special place in my heart and had been a seemingly unattainable dream for me since childhood. Being able to graduate from this school means everything to me and more, and I wish I could go back just to tell myself exactly how good everything will be.

Thanks to everyone here, I have found myself growing more than I thought I could; where I came to develop my skills as an artist, I grew to be a person I could be proud of. If I were to write to every friend I've made at this school, this letter would be too long to publish. I can't imagine a world where I didn't know everyone I know now- you all have made such significant impacts on my life and I thank each and every one of you for it. I look up to so many of you for your incredible artistry and friendly demeanors; I wish we could have spent just a little more time together. I can't thank you all enough for being there to bounce ideas around, laugh, talk about anything. I hope we can still keep in touch!

To my teachers, I'm grateful for the amount of time and dedication you all put into each and every hour of classes. I couldn't imagine Building 9 without Ms. Van Reeth, Mr. Armetta, Ms. G., Ms. Ramos, and all of our artists in residence (I see you, Mr. Fehre!). All of the teachers I had throughout all subjects have helped me become not just a better, more well-rounded student, but a kinder, gentler, softer person who cares for others and wants to improve themselves for the sake of others.

This school has been my home for four years, and will always be a piece of my heart for as long as I live. My friends and my teachers are my family, just as much as my biological family. Thank you to everyone who has made this experience feel too good to be true. I can't wait to see what happens next.

A pretty recent portrait from a Draw This in Your Style challenge! Hearts!!!!

Boucher-styled imagery with vintage Valentine card composition. Love those hearts man.

Of course, obligatory Garfie & Gabba with nimbi!

Bi-monthly ballet phase resurgance via art...

Girl in Red cover redraw! (Honestly I tried to pick pieces that weren't just pink. It was very difficult.)

Though I've taken a little break from ink to improve my other art, I still love this piece.

I will NOT let you all see me during freshman year because I was a whole MESS.

DEAR CLASS OF 2021

So! It's been a long three years since you were a freshman. It likely flew by faster than you could have ever imagined- at least that's what it didfor me. I remember my audition day so vividly- the prompts, the atmosphere, even the model for the figure drawing portion. For me, it was my dream school since elementary. But that's not what this letter is for; this letter is for YOUR senior year, and how I can help you with it, even if it's just the smallest bit of help.

Being a visual or digital artist is one of the greatest things you can be. Like everyone at this school, you are an ARTIST first and foremost. You create things out of nothing, or something greater out of components given to you. You create and establish meaning in the world that is so complex that it seems to not have one. Remind yourself every day, especially when you're not feeling great, that you made it here. That you are amazing. You couldn't have made it here without being so, and you've probably figured that out by now.

Now that the sappiness is out of the way, it's time to get cracking on what senior year really is. While it is your last year here and you're on the top of the food chain (feeding on freshies, of course), it's very important that you know that your work isn't done yet! Do not sit and relax like the nobility some of you might now think you are and choose not to look at your homework. ESPECIALLY art homework. Procrastination is a tough habit to break, but please- for your safety- BREAK THE HABIT. You will thank me later. I've always been excited to make art, but sometimes a piece becomes stale. In order to help get out of that funk, work on something else for a while! Stretch those bones and make or continue making another project; that way, you won't get out of your motivation for art, but you'll reinvigorate motivation for that specific piece that's not feeling like it should! I've got a terrible habit of starting pieces and never finishing them, sometimes working on five or six pieces at the same time with varying amounts of effort. Your art should be freeing. It should be a sanctuary- a place to call home. Make it feel like it for yourself. Also, do yourself a favour and get those art hours in!

When it comes to academics, you might be inclined to not care as much. You should! While your senior year is the end of your time here, it isn't a time for slacking off. Try your best in all of your subjects, and don't be afraid to drop/add if you get a bad feeling. It is not your fault if a teacher simply doesn't work with the way your brain works. At the same time, COLLEGES! College is a difficult decision, and scholarships WILL help! Do as many scholarships as you can so you can help yourself or your family financially. If you're interviewing for an arts college and need a portfolio, make sure you have a digital and traditional one if you can't bring all your pieces. I recommend Wordpress as a digital portfolio website, as it allowed me to technically put extra pieces in my college applications with only providing a link. College visits and interviews help a BUNCH. You can feel out a school and see if it's really for you- I interviewed and had a portfolio for my dream school, Cornell University, and was accepted even without early decision. It helps a lot for the school to meet you rather than just the CommonApp you.

Anyway, I've rambled on enough. But it's important that you love what you do, and keep that fire inside you burning. Don't let anyone or anything put it out. Parents might not always be supportive in more ways than one, but you will make it. I promise. Building 9 is a family. Don't be afraid to talk to that family about anything- I know I wasn't. Everybody is here to help you, even if you might think otherwise.

Good luck on finishing your journey. You won't regret being here.

Wishing you all the best!

❥ Priska Lambert

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