Credit: Courtesy of Abby Wrentmore

Join WSPN’s Vanessa Taxiarchis and Tasha Janoff as they talk with May’s Artist of the Month, senior Abby Wrentmore.

Join WSPN’s Tasha Janoff and Vanessa Taxiarchis as they chat with May’s Artist of the Month Abby Wrentmore.

How long have you been painting/drawing?
“I’ve been making art since I can remember. I’ve always been the designated “art kid” of my family. Even in elementary and middle school, I remember art being [the thing] I would do in my free time. I especially got into art over [quarantine].”

What is the process of making your artwork?
“There is no specific way I come up with what I want to paint next. The thought just sort of comes to me and I feel like I can’t paint anything else until I’ve got that idea out of my system. From the initial thought, I’ll find some references online if it’s a more complex image, or I’ll just see what my brain comes up with on its own. If I’m painting faces or portraits of any sort, I typically don’t need a reference, but if it’s any sort of object or animal, I tend to look up a photo to refer to. I always sketch out the basic shapes of the image on the paper before going in and adding shadows first with watercolor. Then I’ll add more color, leaving the highlights white. Watercolor is great on its own, but difficult to get a lot of detail with, especially within smaller dimensions because of its natural flow. To combat this, I go over the watercolor with colored pencils.”

How long does each piece of art usually take you to finish?
“I would say the literal painting and drawing of each piece takes somewhere between ten and twenty hours, which is a big range, but it all depends on the size and level of detail of the pieces. Because of that, it can take me up to a few weeks to actually get through my painting process. I spend a few days planning each piece out, which involves an inspiration board and multiple rough sketches. I’m also guilty of procrastinating, especially if the piece is for school.”

What is your favorite piece to make?
“I love to make people. I just like how versatile faces are. The slightest change to the face’s eyebrows can give an entirely new mood to the piece. In a lot of my art, I am trying to communicate an emotion of some sort, and people are a great way to convey those feelings clearly.”

What are your favorite materials to use?
“I love watercolor because I find it quick and easy to use. The watercolor layer of my pieces only takes me about two to three hours total. While it is easy to work with, I like the added effect of colored pencil because of the detail it offers.”

Why do you like art?
“I like making art, not for the artistic process, but for the final product. Some people find art relaxing, but I don’t. I don’t necessarily find it stressful, but I definitely would not describe it as calming either. I feel a sense of pride when I finish a new piece. I’m passionate about art and use it as a form of self expression. I enjoy representing my own experiences, but I get most of my joy from making pieces other people relate to.”

What has been your art journey?
“I took art all years in high school. I am the National Art Honor Society president and have painted multiple community and school murals over the years. I started off drawing for fun, eventually finding that I loved to paint as well. In high school, I really started to improve my skills. After developing my skills and style in school, I am working on setting up my online shop in the near future to start selling my art in college.”