My portraits are all of real people who go to my high school. Each of them are in one of my classes, and for all different reasons, I wish I was friends with them all. I didn’t explain what the title of this project was to them(and I hope they don’t find out).
I had to find time to ask these people if they were okay with me taking their photo so that I could draw them for my art project. I told many of them to make their favorite face as they looked at my camera, usually a little confused or surprised.
This was an exercise in confidence and charisma, as I knew I would need to take action if I wanted to get references to draw these potential friends. As someone who has always prided myself on my extroversion, I made myself test that claim with this project, and I think I succeeded.
Cayce isn’t in any of my classes, but before Yoga she always lies on the bench near my locker, using her backpack as a pillow, and talks with our friends. I had never spoken to her before, but from seeing her on Instagram reels, I knew she was exceptional at gymnastics. She’s really funny when she talks to her friends, and has a smile that makes me want to smile too.
Chloe is the only freshman in my Art 3 class, and before this project I knew her only by her black hoodie and amazing paintings. Her silence in art class could be because no one sits next to her, or because she is so invested in her art; I have no way of knowing. Sometimes I see her in the hallways, and I’ve noticed she has nice outfits, and is usually walking with someone with very blonde hair.
Dahlia is a senior in my AP Spanish Language class, and was a mentor in my homeroom last year. She wasn’t my mentor, but I knew of her through the sister of a friend. Every time the mentors would come to homeroom, I would eagerly await seeing her colorful, eclectic outfits. In Spanish, I especially appreciate when she wears a knit sweater with a depiction of an old golfer on the back.
Cecil is in my Geometry class, and in my Yoga class. I first noticed him because he would often wear a mustard yellow hoodie, a surprisingly bright color for most teenagers, and one of my favorite colors. I hadn’t spoken to him before this, and the most I knew about him was that he was on the baseball team. When I took his picture, he made an unexpectedly wide grin that lit up his whole face, and made me laugh a little. After speaking to him, I discovered that his mom is also an artist, which seemed like a good omen.
Layla is in my English class, and I got to know her through an exciting non-verbal interaction that made me want to get to know her better. We were taking a vocab test in English like we do every Friday, and I was already done. She mouthed to me asking about which word went with which definition, and I tried to tell her in numbers, with my fingers held down at my side. It did not work. The teacher made a condescending comment, out loud, to the whole class, about giving us zeroes. Since then I have felt an odd sense of camaraderie with her. I wasn’t able to start her portrait, but I will get it to her by the end of this school year!
Nicholas is in my AP Modern World History class, and before this I had only made embarrassing eye contact with him from across the classroom. Every time the seating arrangements changed, I was in a perfect position to stare at him with little effort, and I would often end up doing so. He would make funny faces at his friend sitting in front of me, or was he looking at me? I couldn’t tell. I knew he was in the JROTC, and friends with one of my friends. Since this project started, I’ve had the pleasure of talking to this comical guy a little bit more.
