Join Staff Reporter Jillian Mele as she chat’s with November’s Artist of the Month senior John Chausse.

How long have you been doing art? 

“I have been doing art ever since I can remember. In preschool and kindergarten I would always have a pencil in hand doodling or using paint and crayons. I really used whatever I could get my hands on to draw anything and everything. I gradually got better basically from doing that all the way up until where I am now.”

Where and how did you discover your passion for art?
“Art has always been a hobby for me. My parents always joke about me not getting the same genes they were given because they’re terrible artists.”

What art courses have you taken at the WHS?
“During my time at the Wayland High School I have taken Drawing 1, Metals 1 and Music Production 1, 2 and 3. If I had to pick a favorite it would be Drawing 1 I took [junior] year.”

Why do you like art?
“I enjoy art because of the creative freedom you have while coming up with an idea. You can make anything and everything, you can make things 2D or 3D, the options are endless. It’s very fun to be able to express yourself, and turn ideas in your head into real things in real life or on paper.”

Has your art style changed over the years?
“When I was young, I was always very much into drawing cartoons. I would draw my own cartoon panels; these would include lots of dragons, wizards and stuff like that. But ever since then I’ve drawn more serious things. I’ve gotten into cars, human bodies and landscapes.”