An avid artist and mastermind, Makayla Archer is seen as one of the elite in Art. She tackled regular art, drawing and painting, and now begins to conquer the most challenging of them all… AP Studio Art. Despite this being the busiest month of the school year and rushing to complete the mountains of pieces, Makayla was kind enough to sit down with the Roaring Times and give us insight into the magnificent mind of an artist.

I met with Makayla in her place of work, none other than Mr. DeTomasi’s room. The whole room was alive with creativity. The ceiling itself was a work of art, and bright bubbly music played in the background; and in the front of the classroom. Makayla was in the middle of it all, working diligently on what she viewed to be “just a sketch.” To us normals it appeared to be a masterpiece.

Even the mere mention of her name drew a smile from Mr. DeTomasi who described Makayla to be “very creative, incredibly artistic, and always doing what she needs to be doing. She is a great student, a great artist.”

To say The Roaring Times was excited to interview Makayla would be an understatement. If the highly reputable art teacher himself praised Makayla to this extent, we could not wait to talk to her ourselves.

Unfortunately I had to pull her away from her work just long enough to sit down and answer some questions:

Anjali: “Hi Makayla, thank you for meeting with me today! I don’t want to keep you out of class for too long, so I will make it as quick as I can. To start, what inspired you to get into art at this high of a level?”

Makayla: She laughed as if shocked to hear she was at the top of the art chain. “My parents say that I have been drawing since I could hold a crayon, or whatever. But I didn’t want to do it as a career until about 2012.  I saw this animated film that I could not remember the name of, but it bew me away. So I thought, hey I want to bring dreams to life. Why not do that? Why not do animation?”

Anjali: “Are there any artistics that have influenced you? Anyone you look up to?”

Makayla: “Umm not exactly people but I see styles that artists use and I think that is what I want to go for.”

A: “What kind of style are you talking about?”

M: (with a smile on her face) “Oh geez. I don’t really like realism even though it’s what I’m best at, sadly.” again she gave a laugh that put on full display her humbleness. “Realism is good and all, and I love doing it from time to time, but I think impressionism is more breathy…it just captures a dreamlike quality that I really like.” (Cue the jaw drops).

A: “Obviously you love art and excel in it, but is there anything that you would, if you could, change about the art program?”

M: “Most times I just feel bad that Mr. D has to teach three classes at one time. He is a great teacher and handles it in a great way but it seems that it would be hard. He teaches AP Studio Art 2D, Studio Art, and AP Studio Art all in one period.”

Makayla went on to explain that despite this minor setback, Mr. DeTomasi is amazing. Even when taking a college level art course, Makayla was prepared due to Mr. D’s lessons.  

A: “Can you explain a little bit about the art show that is taking place?”

M: “So almost every art class, studio art, AP Studio Art, and even some regular art classes have pieces that are up on display. They are put up in the Black Box and kids can go in during lunch to take a look at them. Sadly 2D art is facing some technical issues so it is just our art on display.”

A: “Do you have any pieces in the art show now?”

M: (Completely unfazed by her immense talent) “ I have two pieces in the art show right now.”

Despite minor setbacks such as these, Makayla and other art students continue to make the best of it. Not only have they wowed students and teachers but they redefine art with every piece. Makayla can create the type of art that astounds and captivates all those around her, whether she chooses to admit it or not. Her immense talent deserves to be displayed for all to see. The Student Spotlight was absolutely honored to have illuminated a small part in the life of Makayla Archer.