Express Yourself Through Art

by: Advait Suvarnakar ’16

            The Paramus Catholic art department has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past couple of years. This year saw the implementation of the newest technology, of which included the revolutionary 3-D printer. With this simple, yet futuristic and innovative machine, students are able to literally bring their drawings to life. Together with an art room that would stimulate any one’s mind because of its aesthetic appeal, and the myriad pieces of hanging artwork, the room radiates an aura that lures any person with a sense of imagination. 

            With Ms. Taylor Henshaw at the hull, Paramus Catholic has been able to cultivate and inspire the young artistic minds of the student body. To do this, she used a gamut of techniques and styles to promote the boundless subject that is art. A few of the many techniques that she teaches to her classes, Basic Elements of Design and Drawing and Composition, seem to bring out the best in the young artists. 

 Image by: Kate Li

            In Drawing and Composition, the students were assigned projects to express themselves. In Zentangle Animal Tryptich, the students created intricate designs using repeating patterns, lines, colors, and symbols. For the class’s contour shoe drawing, the students practiced their art of drawing lines and applied them in their drawing of shoes at different angles. The students were also introduced to the Cubism movement which inspired the likes of Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee. With a variety of shading, the students were able to create their own Cubism drawings using value.

Image by: Kelsey Hessman

            In the class of Basic Elements of Design, the students studied the works of M.C. Escher and the art of making tessellations, the tiling of a plane using one or more geometric shapes, called tiles, with no overlaps and no gaps. Next, the students used Wassily Kandinsky and music as their inspirations to create their own artwork using various watercolors to enhance their color scheme. Finally, the students learned about the Pop Art Movement which inspired artists none other than Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol. Using linoleum block, the students created self-portraits of themselves, and imprinted their outlines on various other textures to create a “pop art” feel in their artwork. 

Image by: Matt Buzziero