Graphic artist Marilyn Rose spoke to Verona High School art students in early January to talk to the art students and put on a watercolor demonstration.
The event, sponsored by the Verona Chapter of the National Art Honor Society, really allowed the “curriculum to come alive,” said VHS art teacher Terry Sherman. “It was a great opportunity for the students to see a published artist work in front of them.”
Rose has had work in numerous galleries and works as a professional graphic designer. During her visit, she showed the art students tips and techniques to inspire their own work, and demonstrated by doing a portrait of senior Gabby Sapienza. (The visit was the second by an established artist to VHS this winter. In December, Li Wang demonstrated jianzhi, the Chinese art of paper cutting.)
“Some people wait to have the perfect paper or the perfect pose,” explained Rose, “but it doesn’t matter. It’s just a matter of doing it and letting your emotions enter it.”
Julia Frazee, a senior in the class, appreciated the visit. “We’re working on our own self-portraits in class so it was really cool to see a professional come in and give us tips and answer our questions,” she said. “It definitely helped me with my own work.”
Frazee was not the only student who was inspired by Rose’s visit. “I’ve already seen one student buy a sketchbook,” said Sherman.
