Ashley Rodriguez has been selected as Artist of The Month. The school’s art teacher, Aimee Cavazzi, said she selected Ashely for this honor  because she  “liked the Basquiat piece” and “thought the message was powerful and thoughtful.”  Ashley, an 11th grader, shares her thoughts on art below:

How long have you been creating art? Since last year.

What inspired/inspires you to create art? I started during quarantine to fill in the time.

How does creating art make you feel?  It makes me feel relaxed.

When it comes to art, what is your preferred tool?  Paint and paint brushes because it creates better paintings.

Did you learn how to draw? Or did you just always know how? I had to learn.

What would you say is your general skill range? I’m a beginner; I started taking art seriously last year.

Is there anything you have trouble with in the world of art? I’m a perfectionist and I always want something to go right, but it’s not always like that.

What is something you see other artists do that you dislike? Color outside the lines.

Or you considering pursuing art as a career or would you prefer doing it as a hobby? As a hobby.

What piece of art that you’ve done, do you like the most? Why do you like it? What is its message? My women’s rights and sex trafficking because it speaks volume.

What’s your favorite type of art style? Why? Fine arts because it’s the best.

What does your drawings/paintings/artwork mean to you? To others?  To me it means something we don’t speak about as females; it brings light.