P S Art 2016 Exhibition Schedule www.nyc.gov/schools/artseducation

El Trabajador
Paloma Santana
Grade: 12
School: Maspeth High
School, Queens
Art Teacher: Adam Gordon
Acrylic and graphite on paper
STUDENT: Like a musician
hears invisible notes, I see
invisible beauty. An artist
sees other details besides
what is present. That is
what being an artist has
given me. I have learned
patience and that when
one makes artwork, it is
never truly finished but
always subject to change
and additions. I love being
able to look at a painting
and seeing what others
do not see. I see my art
teacher more as a mentor.
He has taught me about
symbolism, which is what I
mainly use in my artwork.
I never would have learned
how important symbols can
be. I believe that art work
has a greater impact when
only the artist knows the
true meaning. I am not very
good at portraits unless I
have a reference photo. I
got the job done but I do
believe the proportions
could be improved upon.
El Trabajador took a lot of
work but it was worth it.
TEACHER: Paloma’s work is
just one part of her senior
year portfolio in my College
Portfolio course. The
Blueprint benchmarks and
indicators call for artwork
that exhibits a ‘personal
style’ as well as creating a
portfolio of work. Paloma
keeps a sketchbook that she
regularly uses to hash out her
ideas and experiment with
compositions and designs for
her artwork. She developed
her style into something very
personal. She has chosen
to represent her pride in
her Dominican heritage in
her paintings and drawings.
I’ve watched her technique
improve dramatically since
the beginning of the year
and have seen the concepts
behind her work deepen. The
work evokes in me a sense of
curiosity and wonder. I want
to know more about it.
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