Student Artists of the Month at Gallery 510

Gallery 510 Art & Framing will be featuring one student from a Central Illinois high school each month along with the professional featured artist at the gallery. Before the gallery artist begins to talk about their work at each First Friday Gallery Walk, we will introduce the “Student of the Month” and show their piece of artwork that will remain on display throughout the month.

“My name is Emma Whightsil, and I am a senior from Warrensburg-Latham High School. Next year, I plan to attend Western Kentucky University to pursue a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, along with continuing my track and field career. As for art, I have been involved in my high school art class for the past three years, and I plan to continue creating after I graduate.

As a child, art has always been something I have enjoyed. I got my inspiration from those around me, exposing me to others’ art and even their own works. Seeing my father’s old room filled with his charcoal creations inspired my attempts at black and white pencil art. My Grammy inspired my love for painting in vibrant colors. Her house is filled with her creations and many memories of the days we spent together painting on extra canvases. I was also taken to many art galleries, shows, and fairs growing up, exposing me to all forms of art. Seeing these unique artists allowed me to find what I enjoyed creating and inspired me to try new things.

As I got older, with less time for art, I knew I needed to be in a class with dedicated time to the thing I loved. I quickly figured out that I loved to draw in pencil, and my teacher, Mr. Manning, allowed me to take my passion and run with it. The precision and detail that are allowed in the black and white pencil drawing were what attracted me. It isn’t just pencil and paper; it is a process that allows me to observe and translate what I see. My black and white portrait drawings allow me to be a perfectionist without the added stress of a grade. Although they are time-consuming, the shading and drawing of black and white portraits are what I am fond of.

In addition to graphite drawing, I also dabble in colorful landscape and floral watercolor or acrylic paintings. Painting allows me to be more expressive in color and texture. The contrasting freedom of it is what allows me a creative break in between my detailed drawings. This free feeling comes from the imperfections of nature and the lack of rules attached to painting. There are no straight lines or perfectly identical flowers; I am allowed to paint whatever my mind desires with as much or as little detail.  

From my art, I have found a creative outlet, and I hope others take away the beauty from it. I wish to develop my passions and create new ones along the way. Art is a hobby that allows me to get creative and forget the pressures of life. Art is more than just materials; it is expressing and creating whatever your heart desires without added boundaries, allowing recreation or imagination to come to life.”

See Emma’s artwork on display at Gallery 510 in March, then her work will be on display at the Children’s Museum of Illinois in April.