Artistic Profile: Alyssa Wigant

To most students at Pres, senior Alyssa Wigant is the girl on the Panther Report, but many don’t know that she is also a very talented artist. From a young age, Alyssa was passionate about art and that interest has grown to a number of activities. Alyssa has dedicated her four years at Pres to being the best artist she can be. She plans on pursuing art in college and building her career around it as well. The Voice had a chance to sit down with Alyssa to talk about her artistic background and future.

The Voice: When did you first become interested in art?

AW: Ever since I picked up a marker and started drawing horses and Power Puff Girls as a toddler, I knew art was going to be a part of my life. Of course, my artistic style has greatly transformed since then.

The Voice: How does doing anything artistic make you feel?

AW: In a word, I feel accomplished. I love the feeling I get when I look back on a piece I made because I can specifically recall where my struggles were and what was going through my mind during the process of making it. A lot of thought, hard work and sometimes even mistakes get put into my art. Being able to finish successfully despite all of that makes the experience rewarding…along with the compliments I get afterwards.

The Voice: What or who has impacted your artistic life the most?

AW: Any art teacher I’ve had in my life has had some kind of impact on my artistic life. They’ve provided me with critique, guidance, tips and outlook on my work to ultimately shape the artist I am today. I’m very appreciative of them.

The Voice: What is your favorite type of art to do?

AW: I really love creating mixed media art where I incorporate a little bit of everything: Sharpie drawings, paint, collaging, Photoshop, photography and pastels.

The Voice: If you could pick one piece of your art work as your favorite which one? And why?

AW: My favorite would probably be “Alternative,” a doodle I drew and colored last year for an Advanced Art assignment, because it sums up my artistic style and thoughts all in one picture. It’s hard to choose a favorite art work though; I’m too critical of all of them.

The Voice: Who is your favorite artist?

I’m torn between Frank Stella, Andy Warhol and Banksy. I like Frank Stella’s work because it’s colorful and chaotic; much like my creations. I like Andy Warhol because I like the bright yet vintage feel of his famous works. I also love the look of stenciling and graffiti, and that’s why I like Banksy’s street art.

The Voice: Are you doing something art related in college? If so what?

AW: Yes, I’m set on studying graphic design/media arts in college because I want to incorporate my love for computers, art and media. My dream job is to work at Pixar to design advertisements and products based on their movies.

The Voice: Do you see yourself doing art throughout your life?

AW: Yes! I don’t think I can ever give up on my artistic abilities. Even if I don’t get famous for my art like I aspire to someday, I’ll still do it for fun and for the sake of expressing myself. No matter what happens in my life, I’ll always need expression.

The Voice: How had Pres helped you grow as an artist?

AW: Pres has helped strengthen my skills. Before taking three art classes at Pres (ceramics, drawing and painting 1 and 2, and Advanced Art), my art lacked meaning, fullness and balance. Through Pres, I learned the technicalities of drawing and art so now my work looks more aesthetically pleasing and complete, in a way. Pres has also given me the resources and supplies I’ve always wanted but had no space for—like paint, paintbrushes, canvasses and easels (thanks Ms. Purdy!).

Artist Profile: Jennifer Greenfield

Jennifer Greenfield has been performing in plays and playing the piano for several years, and as this senior prepares to graduate, The Voice got the opportunity to ask her about her start in art. Here is what she shared with us in an interview.
The Voice: What first got you interested in theater and music?
JG: Well, I’ve always been a very imaginative child. I started reading at a very early age which helped create the foundation of my vivid imagination. I literally played dress up until 6th grade. So, my imagination and dramatic nature have been evident from any early age. My grandma pulled her old keyboard out of the attic one day and let me have it. My mom says I used to freak her out because I would start playing a song I had heard playing in a store. There was one time when I started playing the song “Every Breath You Take” that I had heard earlier that day in Noah’s Bagels when I was in third grade, I think.
When I was a wee freshman, I was very gung ho about Speech and Debate. I won third place in my first novice tournament in Original Oratory. But after a while, I realized it wasn’t Speech and Debate that I wanted to do, but acting. Somewhere, Mr. Case is crying in a corner. Tears of joy, perhaps?

The Voice: Do you want a career involving theater and music?
JG: I don’t know what I want to do. On my list of goals, between marrying Harry Potter and winning an Oscar, I’d like to pursue a career as an actress. But I know that it’s a very difficult field to get into, so I want to make sure I have back up plans.

The Voice: Are you planning on studying theater or music in college next year?
JG: The thing is I’ve got so many options open. I like acting, reading, writing, design, drawing and painting, public speaking, and so I don’t want to pigeonhole myself into one major. But I know that whatever I do, I want to be able to express my creativity. I could never be stuck in a cubicle.
I definitely want to be involved in theater in college. I don’t know if I want to major in it. I haven’t declared anything as my major.

The Voice: Which do you prefer—acting or playing the piano?
JG: Oh, that’s a loaded question. The thing about acting is that I can only really do it when I’m part of a cast, when performing. Of course, I act everyday among my peers. But, most of time I only act when part of a play. However, piano is something I can do every day. When I come home I can sit down at my piano and play for hours. It’s such a stress reliever for me. I’m going to be noncommittal and not decide between the two.

The Voice: Who are your main theatrical or musical influences, and why?
JG: One is definitely Tim Burton. When I went to New York City, I had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Modern Art and the Tim Burton exhibit there. I look up to him because he’s so talented, not only at directing, but also as an artist, an illustrator, a writer and a film maker.
The other is George Winston. He’s a contemporary piano player whom I’ve seen in concert twice. I love his piano playing style. One of the songs he played was sort of a jazzy tune, and it inspired me to remix Lady Gaga’s Pokerface.

The Voice: Do you perform in other locations?
JG: Yes, I play piano for children’s first communion masses at St. Christopher and for graduations. I also like playing piano every opportunity I get on vacations. Last summer, my family and I took a trip to Glacier National Park. Where we were staying, there was a huge grand piano that was 100 years old. I asked at the front desk if I could play it, and I had a great time entertaining the guests.

The Voice: What inspired you to create such an eclectic mix of songs for the Talent Show this year?
JG: Well, I’ve wanted to perform for the Talent Show ever since Elaine Higashi played that spiffy medley on the electric violin for the Talent Show a few years ago. Ever since then, I’ve been sort of thinking of what I would want to do for the Talent Show and what songs might sound neat. I actually learned all of the songs separately and then a few months before the Talent Show tryouts, I mooshed them into an arrangement in my mind. The original arrangement was a lot less songs, but as I went through the list in my mind, I kept thinking, “Oh that would sound really cool too, and so would that!” So I kept adding more songs into my mind arrangement.

The Voice: How would your life be different now if you did not participate in theater or play music?
JG: It’s difficult to imagine, because I need some kind of export for my creativity. I’d probably still be involved with clubs on campus, and I would continue doing horseback riding lessons. I’m also very passionate about nature and the environment. I like hiking and taking photos of nature. So if I wasn’t involved so heavily with art and theater, I might get more in touch with my green thumb.