Students have different ways of proving that they have accomplished something in their four years of high school. Some are able to point to a varsity letter, others can point to a pristine GPA. Woodland senior Deborah Berry can provide a sketchbook as evidence she has accomplished a great deal in four years of high school.
As is the case with many stories of the origin of great talent, Berrey’s interest in art bloomed out of boredom. Originally, the extent of Berrey’s artistic ability was the doodles she would scrawl in church. Over time, however, she grew to appreciate drawing as more than a way to pass the time in church.
Early in her artistic career, Berrey mainly drew things from video games, naming Legend of Zelda as her main muse. However, recently Berrey has broadened her horizons, citing realism and abstract art as areas she has strengthened her ability in.
“I never used to draw things out of my comfort zone,” Berrey states, “but I feel like I’m growing to like doing so.”
Berrey’s interest in art only grew once she came to Woodland. Seeing as she has taken every art course Woodland has to offer, (with the exception of art skills because she had already taken a full year of art in 8th grade) it is valid
to state Berrey has taken full advantage of every artistic opportunity Woodland has to offer.
Those resources include, of course, Woodland’s exceptional art department. When asked about influential art teachers, Berrey states that Mr. Misuraca has had a large influence on her.
“He has helped me through a ton of art blocks and issues,” Berrey describes, “He’s showed me tons of new techniques and always pushes me to ‘draw from observation,’ even though I rarely do.”
Clearly Berrey works tirelessly at school to improve her artistic ability, but her practice does not end there. On the weekends, a time when most students look forward to relaxing, Berrey does the bulk of her drawing.
It is no surprise that the amount of time and effort Berrey has invested in her art has resulted in a vast improvement in her skills.
Her senior project will spotlight the strides she has made as an artist. Berrey will assemble a collection of her earlier drawings and re-draw them with her current skills. Then, she will put the drawings side by side in a portfolio to highlight her progress.
This portfolio will celebrate the progress in art she has made thus far, but it does not mark an end to Berrey’s artistic career. According to Berrey, she fully intends to continue creating art after graduation.
“I’m absolutely thinking of pursuing a career in art,” clarifies Berrey , “A lot of people have tried to discourage me but I’m going to do my best. It’s something I really want and I can’t imagine myself doing anything else.”
When considering the progress Berrey has made as an artist, from doodles in church, to sketches of video game characters, to attending every art class Woodland has to offer, to compiling her senior project, it seems dubious that Berrey will not be able to achieve anything she sets her mind to.
Tina is the Executive Social Media Director, and in charge of managing Hawk Headlines. She has spent three full semesters here, and is heavily involved with theater. Tina describes herself as a "pop culture aficionado".
