GNA CAMPUS— Isabella Selner has been recognized as WVIA’s “Artist of the Week” for 2024, an honor that highlights exceptional young talent in the arts. As a high school student, Isabella’s dedication to her craft has set her apart among her peers, showcasing not only her technical skill but also her creative vision.
From a young age, Isabella had a deep love for drawing. Her artistic journey took a significant turn in 4th grade when she received her first paint set. This moment sparked her passion for painting and led her to explore new techniques and experiment with different styles.
Isabella enjoys painting with acrylics, favoring this medium for its versatility and the boldness it offers. Her preferred subject is landscapes, which she finds easier to create, yet captivating in their beauty. She is drawn to the visual impact of landscapes and appreciates how they come to life through her acrylic paintings.
For Isabella, art education plays a crucial role in allowing students to freely express themselves. She believes that learning different techniques and experimenting with various mediums helps artists bring their unique vision to life. Art education empowers young artists to find their voice and communicate their emotions and ideas through their work.
Although Isabella does not plan to study art beyond high school, she still envisions art as part of her future. She hopes to continue creating and selling her artwork on the side, maintaining her passion for painting while pursuing other career paths. This balance allows her to keep art as a meaningful and personal outlet.
As she continues to grow and develop her skills, it’s clear that Isabella Selner is an artist to watch, with the potential to make a lasting impact in the world of visual art. This recognition is just the beginning of what promises to be an inspiring artistic journey.
What is your favorite medium to work with?
My favorite medium to work with is paint, specifically acrylic paint. I also have a lot of fun when it comes to painting with watercolor. Two mediums that I have been wanting to try are gouache and oil paint.
What was your reaction to being spotlighted on WVIA’s Artist of the Week?
I was very surprised and honored, especially since it’s usually only for seniors and I got chosen as a junior. I was very excited to be able to show my work for lots of people to see.
Do you have a favorite piece that you created?
My favorite piece that I created would definitely be my most recent one. It’s a landscape acrylic painting of a pink sunset on the beach that reflects over the ocean. I made it for my best friend as a birthday present.
Has anyone influenced you as an artist? If so, who?
I’m influenced every day by my family and their friends. They will always talk to me about my art and help motivate me. My mom’s best friend also likes to draw, so I always like to look at his art whenever he’s around. I will also always ask for tips and tricks to help improve.
Are you currently working on anything? If so, what?
I am currently working on an acrylic painting that’s based on the Disney movie Tangled. It’s a painting of Rapunzel’s tower that I am going to gift to my friend.
What are some challenges you have encountered in your artistic journey, and how have you overcome them?
There have definitely been many challenges throughout my artistic journey. One challenge is always getting my paintings done “on time.” I usually make my paintings as gifts for birthdays, Christmas, or other special events for my family and friends. I always have trouble getting them done in time for the event that I’m making them for. Another challenge I always face is motivation. Not having any motivation makes hitting these deadlines hard. I also am a big perfectionist, so when I can’t get a painting right or I think it will be too hard, I put it off to the side and have trouble finishing it.
Do you have any advice for upcoming artists?
Some advice that I would give to an upcoming artist would be to never give up. Sometimes you may have a painting or drawing that you just can’t seem to get right, but there is never a wrong way of creating something. You will always be able to recreate it or turn it into something new. I know that I’ve had some ups and downs when it comes to making art, but I’ve learned that not everything has to turn out perfect or the way I was planning. There will always be more opportunities in the future to create something to your liking, so don’t let one slip-up stop you from growing!
Does art have a place in your future? If so, how?
In the future, I’m not necessarily going into a career that involves my artistic skill. I am, however, planning on selling my artwork as a side business in the future. I am still trying to figure out what kind of artwork to sell, but I’m thinking about doing paintings for weddings or people’s pets.
Do you think it’s important that art should remain part of the curriculum in schools?
I do think that it’s important that art remains part of the curriculum in schools because it allows students to take a break and be able to express themselves freely through art. Students should be able to have the opportunity to create their own pieces that really bring out who they are. It could also help students find more ways to let loose and enjoy themselves.
