Two budding young artists from Oxford High School walked away with top honors at the Toad in the Hole Productions art show held Nov. 17 at Devil’s Ridge Golf Club.
Congratulations to senior Emily Molczyk, who won first place and $100 cash for her ebony pencil drawing entitled ‘Hold on,? and senior Kera Presbie, who took second place and $75 cash for a self-portrait, titled ‘Garden of Eden,? done with Prismacolor pencils.
A total of 40 art students from Oxford, Lake Orion and Davison high schools competed in the show judged by local artists. Cash prizes were provided by Oxford Bank.
‘I was actually shocked because I didn’t expect to win,? Molczyk said. ‘I was expecting one of my friends to win.?
Molczyk said she’s been interested in art her ‘whole life,? but her talent and skills have grown over the years thanks to encouragement from her parents, Frank and Susan.
‘Once they found out I was a good artist, they started buying me art supplies,? she said. ‘Year after year as I got better, they would buy me more.?
She’s taken art classes both in and out of school.
Although ebony pencil is her favorite medium to use because it’s easy to work with, Molczyk also uses oil pastels, acrylic paints, water colors and chalk pastels.
‘I do a variety of mediums,? she said.
Not only does art provide Molczyk with outlet for self-expression, it’s also a source of relaxation and pride.
‘It calms me down,? she explained. ‘When I’m stressed out, I like to lock myself in my room and just lose myself in my paintings and my drawings.?
‘It’s fun, after I’m done with a piece, to show it off, be a little braggish,? Molczyk noted.
Molczyk is in the process of applying to the Kendal College of Art and Design in downtown Grand Rapids.
She plans to make a career out of doing illustrations for medical books.
‘I think that’s so fascinating,? Molczyk said.
This career path is a way for her to combine her passion for art with her love of the sciences and desire to be a nurse.
Although she’s been drawing since she was a little kid, Presbie didn’t start seriously developing her artistic skills until she had ankle surgery in the sixth grade.
‘I had nothing to do, so this is what I did,? she said, noting she started drawing horses, then moved on to landscapes and trees at the suggestion of her grandfather.
An art teacher at school soon took notice of Presbie’s work and recommended her for a scholarship to Paint Creek Center for the Arts. After two classes, she went from the kids program to the adult course.
But formal art classes weren’t really Presbie’s style because she viewed art as ‘something more personal.?
Soon art became more than just something to pass the time, it became a big part of Presbie’s life. ‘It’s kind of my escape,? she said. ‘It helps me relax.?
For the art competition, Presbie, who was voted the ‘Most Artistic? member of her senior class, chose to do a self-portrait, studying herself in the mirror as she sketched. ‘I wanted to do a person,? she said. ‘I figured the easiest person to do would be me.?
Even though Presbie described herself as a ‘very social person,? her self-portrait has a melancholy tone to it. ‘I was kind of having a down day when I started it, so it ended up being a really dark picture,? she explained.
Besides colored pencils, Presbie also enjoys working with acrylic and oil paints, water colors and standard pencils.
Presbie’s not sure whether her future will involve art. She’s considering becoming a high school biology teacher, but that could change.
‘After first few years of college, if I still really want to do something with art, I’m just going to go for it,? said Presbie, noting she could do something art-related involving graphics or advertising.
Whatever path she chooses, Presbie is grateful for all the support and encouragement she receives from her grandparents, Cynthia Chrzanowski and Michael Downey.