Using digital painting and filtering techniques to showcase Texas heritage, junior Michael Machala captured the Digital Class Champion honors at Rodeo Austin’s Youth Art Show with his composition, titled “Gone to Texas”. Senior Alyssa Johnson and sophomore Ava Finch also placed in the state-wide contest.
Anyone interested in supporting these aspiring artists can bid on their work in Rodeo Austin's live auction until April 5. Thrall lot numbers are #7, #121, #125, #127.
“I really like graphic design because Photoshop helps me translate what is in my head onto the page,” Michael said about his composition that featured a mounted cowboy superimposed on an old Texas map. “I don’t consider myself artistic, but I can be creative when I focus. I put a lot of thought into the monochromatic color scheme of this piece.”
Two other Thrall students placed in the state-wide contest. Senior Alyssa Johnson earned 3rd in Digital Art with “Tranquility Texas” and 9th in Photography with “As Is”, a photograph she took of a rusty Chevrolet sedan with a forgotten for-sale sign hanging in the window.
“I love taking pictures of old cars because they have already done the work for you by just looking cool,” Alyssa said. “We always take a shortcut from Taylor to Thrall and pass this place with a collection of old cars, so I asked the owner if I could take some pictures for the contest. The one that placed was probably the last picture that I took. I can’t describe why, but I feel like the angle, the sign, and droopy tree tells an old, forgotten story.”
Sophomore Ava Finch placed 5th with her photograph, “Jolene’s House”. “I have been driving by that house my entire life going to my grandparents,” Ava said. “I never really noticed it until the day I took the picture because the sky was so pretty. The land owner’s name is Jolene, so it was the perfect title for the picture.”
A total of nine students in Christina Strnad’s Graphic Design classes participated in the Feb. 10 show at the Palmer Events Center.
The Youth Art Show enables students to express their creativity and showcase their skills while earning money to put towards their future. Students from Texas grades 9 – 12 can enter their artwork in the areas of traditional, photography, digital and sculpture/3D.
