Long before the bright yellow fills the page, junior Kaitlyn Ellis leans over her sketch, adjusting a single line again and again until the lemon feels real. She studies the form, adjusting shadows
and refining details until she is confident in the structure. Only then does she begin layering
acrylic colored pencil, slowly building the rich yellows and soft highlights that make the fruit look
almost real. Realism is her favorite style, and this lemon created over nearly two weeks, reflects
the patience behind her creative process.

Kaitlyn is enrolled in a two-dimensional honors art class, which gives her the opportunity to continue
learning about art in school. She enjoys her art class and is considered one of Mrs. Miller’s most
creative artists. Kaitlyn believes that creating art allows her to fully express herself. “It is sometimes
easier for me to paint or draw my feelings rather than saying them.”

The first time Kaitlyn realized that she was a skilled artist was in 9th grade as she entered her
first high school art class. She had learned to have a deeper appreciation for art, while giving her a chance to explore
her thoughts and also exhibit her feelings. Kaitlyn is even thinking about taking art as an
undergraduate in college. So just like the lemon builds into something with each new line, so too is Kaitlyn’s confidence as an artist.