Senior Hannah Boldon swept the floor and won Best of Show on March 25 at the GUHSD Student Art Show, according to Art Teacher Melenie Legendre.
Titled “Blue Beauties,” Boldon’s piece is a visually stunning acrylic painting, on a 2 by 3 foot vertical canvas.
The painting focuses on two herons standing in a twig nest: the taller heron holds a lone stick in its beak and its head is haloed by several wispy white clouds.
Not only is this the second time Boldon has won this award, it’s also only her second year of enrollment in a Sunnyslope art class.
Legendre said, “She started out in my 1-2 class last year and was quickly promoted to a 3-4 level because she showed so much ability.”
Boldon’s talent and motivation to create art propelled her toward being recognized by more than just her peers and teachers.
“Art is a form of self-expression. I’ve always used it as a way for me to communicate my thoughts or feelings into a medium that others can appreciate,” said Boldon.
Finding support in the people that surround her, Boldon can continue pursuing this hobby in and out of the classroom.
Boldon said her dad was one of her pushing factors and even “bought [her] the canvas [she] used, and he waited until [she] had the confidence to attempt such a large piece.”
The heron birds portrayed in her recognized piece are well-composed, and viewers’ eyes follow along the intricate details of the birds and the background.
“There was no surprise Hannah would win Best of Show because of how talented she truly is and how captivating the painting is,” said Junior Keigan Clendaniel, a close friend of Boldon’s and another award recipient from the art show.
Those who are familiar with Boldon and her art knew that her piece was so powerful and well done that Best of Show would soon be in her future.
“She worked on this piece on a large scale, which, when combined with strong composition, is hard to beat,” said Legendre.
Looking at some of the pieces from her AP Art portfolio, onlookers can see Boldon’s love for creating art of all different kinds- her pieces range widely when it comes to subject, medium, and style.
Boldon said, “My inspirations are vast, and everything I see has the potential to catch my eye. Really, anything can be art in my mind.”
Boldon’s inventiveness in artistic ability has such a large reach within her everyday life with friends and family.
“Watching her being able just to look and sketch someone or something at a moment’s notice is absolutely incredible,” said Clendaniel.
