Young Artist Takes A Bite Out of Art

Details

Art

Saturday, 24 September 2011 02:30

By Eef Armstrong

"Details are very important in realism drawings. It's very hard and meticulous work, but it's what makes the drawing come together and life-like."

These enlightened words came from the lips of Shanice Lapierre Armande, a naturally gifted 19-year-old artist who makes drawing portraits look easy. Self-taught, mostly through the internet and art books, she has found a way to channel her love for animals and nature.

"It's the expressive look that animals and people have that comes alive when you draw them," she explained. "Landscapes don't have that." She gets a close-up look at dogs every week, since she has a dog grooming business.

"While grooming, I become very aware of their anatomy, coat, and the details of their faces, which helps me draw more realistically."

Like most teenagers, Lapierre Armande loves browsing the internet, and one day she came across a webpage (www.deviantart.com) where artists from all over the world post their work. Inspired by the beauty she saw, she decided she wanted to be an artist herself.

She chose her medium wisely. Without a lot of money at her disposal, it is important for her to work with a medium that is affordable and easily accessible. Charcoal, pencil, and pastel suit her budget perfectly. "I can buy all my supplies right here on the island and all my images come from Google," she said.

She admits that using these mediums add a grade of difficulty, as shadowing becomes very detailed and time-consuming, but she loves the challenge. She wishes she could do art full-time, but believes that is not an option, as it is very difficult to sell enough pieces to make a living.

Perhaps her natural gift for the arts is genetic. "My aunt and grandmother are both artists," she explained. "As a child, I used to go over to my grandmother and she would give me tips on shading, or I would just watch her paint. However, Grandma makes landscapes and that is not my thing."

So far, she has gotten many positive responses to her drawings, but funny enough she would rather people give her some criticism. "It allows me to learn and grow as an artist and challenges me to get better and better," she said.

For those who wish to have a closer look at Lapierre Armande's work, it is on display at the Sugar Club art exhibition at Sugar Ridge Hotel.

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