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The Piedmont Highlander

The Piedmont Highlander

Crown illustrates life in AP concentration

Crown+illustrates+life+in+AP+concentration

After attending the California College of the Arts (CCA) summer program, senior Gabe Crown was inspired to illustrate memories that epitomize the people in his life for his AP Art concentration.

Crown said his professor Barron Storey especially inspired his interest in illustration while he attended the program. As the artist of the original “Lord of the Flies” cover, Crown’s professor showed him the various opportunities of pursuing art in the future.

According to the CCA website, the program aims to embrace the benefits of Bay Area culture while teaching teens technical and creative skills. Students in Crown’s program earned the equivalent of three college credits.Gabe Concentration 3

Crown saw personal growth throughout the program, and he began to identify more as an artist, instead of seeing art as something he liked to do in his free time. This transformation prompted him to use people and memories close to him as subjects for his senior year art concentration.

“When I see things, I envision a unique angle that I would want to illustrate,” Crown said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do that before this summer.”

The difference between fine art and illustration is that illustration is often based on something else, often writing, and is up to the interpretation of the artist. Fine art is all about capturing the image presented, Crown said.

“I was inspired to focus on the illustration style as opposed to fine art, which had always been my go to,” Crown said.

Crown incorporates images of skateboarding throughout his work, which is one of his favorite hobbies. There are also references to his family, friends and trips he has taken throughout his pieces.

“No matter what medium he uses, it’s really impressive,” said fellow AP Art student senior Daria Mohazab. “He improved his technique and had really good mentors.”

Mohazab said that Crown’s improvement is apparent.

“The fact that he did a rigorous program in his free time shows his dedication,” Mohazab said. “It shows that it’s something he really cares about.”

Crown said that he intends to focus on art in college. He can see himself being a freelance illustrator or graphic designer.

“I just want to do something creative,” Crown said. “I think no matter what, I’ll always do art in my free time.”

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