Works by high school and middle school winners of Sun-Times’ snowman art contest
Last weekend, we spotlighted the elementary-age winners of the latest Chicago Sun-Times art contest, part of what we call The Imagination Project, featuring real snowmen or works of snowman art. Today: the high school and middle school winners.
Here are the winning images and runners-up, with encouraging critiques from two professional artists: Jessica Olinger and “Sick” Fisher.
TOP LEFT
Amelia M., 18, Senior, Lake Park High School, Roselle
Sick Fisher: “Totoro! If you know, you know.”
Jessica Olinger: “This is the first time I’ve seen a snow creature like this. I absolutely love it! Really brave of you to step away from the traditional sculpture of a snowman and make something completely of your own. That’s what the best artists do.”
BOTTOM LEFT
Solmaris S., 17, Junior, North-Grand High School, Humboldt Park
Fisher: “It may not be immediately apparent, but this illustration shows the snowman from an unusual angle, one that is difficult to re-create without actually seeing it. So, unless she watched this snowman downhill skiing, this drawing is a technical achievement.’’
Olinger: “I love the movement you’ve created. I feel like this snowman is going 100 miles an hour down a hill. It’s really difficult to create a sense of motion in a drawing.”
ABOVE
Vanessa D., 17, Junior, Hancock College Prep High School, Southwest Side
Fisher: “High concept and sharp execution make this piece stand out. The split-screen motif really has you wonder if a melting snowman in a red-sky apocalypse is any better than a clean, blue winter wonderland.”
Olinger: “Big fan of the different season perspectives and contrasting color palettes on both sides, it’s such a cool effect. The snow detail on the cabin is so cute, and I love the mountains — they’re so grand!”
Julia P., 17, Junior, Curie Metro High School, Southwest Side
Fisher: ‘‘Though this watercolor is technically sound in composition and character, I feel the most effective element is the copper base of the snow globe. It successfully completes the illusion and makes me want to shake it.”
Olinger: “Watercolor … works so well for this piece. The matching hat, scarf and gloves is such a cute detail! Also, the lettering work is very clean and crisp.”
Osvaldo S., 17, Junior, Whitney Young Magnet High School, Near West Side
Fisher: “With its intense use of color, text and narrative, this piece has left me thinking: Does warmth apply only to the temperature?’’
Olinger: “It’s like a beautiful color explosion. Great job capturing a feeling and putting it into a scene. I feel like I can really tell how that snowman is feeling.’’
Ange-Marie N., 15, Freshman, Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center, North Side
Fisher: “Another awesome squad! I’d love to see the Pooh crew having s’mores with the Snowvengers.’’
Olinger: “I love that we can instantly recognize who these characters are. … The line work in the text is super crispy.’’
Carlos T., 17, Junior, Hancock College Prep High School, Southwest Side
Fisher: ‘‘With the thoughtfully selected props in foreground and an ambiguously twisted scene between a frozen child and an escaping snowman, the viewer is asked to consider whether or not to intervene.’’ Olinger: “My absolute favorite detail is the little plastic bag barely hanging on in the top right tree branch.”
Caeley D., 16, Sophomore, LincolnWay West High School, New Lenox
Fisher: “Humor in art is so important. Though a snowpeddling snowman is what I will remember most of this piece, it would not work as well without the skillful execution of the pencil.’’
Olinger: “Love all the shadows and textures. The trees are my absolute favorite but also the pattern on the apron.’’
Ingrid C., 16, Junior, Curie Metro High School, Southwest Side
Fisher: “Soft and Idyllic, this piece’s use of symmetry makes for a most pleasing scene. The use of paint on canvas also solidifies this piece’s timelessness.”
Olinger: “Green and pink always go so well together. I love, love, love the shadowing and shading. I love the twigs that are his arms, I love how crooked and funky the one on the right is.”
Zoë G., 17, Senior, Lane Tech College Prep High School, North Side
Fisher: “This piece has such presence. It feels as if the artist is drawing upon years of studying the masters. There is great strength in the jawline of this figure, which also registers as neither male nor female — as if it’s a unisex deity of the winter months. This piece is just the beginning for Zoë. Everyone should keep an eye out for this potential master.”
Olinger: “Huge fan of the blue tones here. Such a cool piece, no pun intended! It’s an intriguing character, and I pick up on something new when I look at it again. I also love that you chose to whiten out the eyes.’’