New Brunswick Grade 11 student now taking art seriously – Toronto Star

Afton MacDonald has been around art her whole life.

While she began and enjoyed doing art as a small child, the Carleton North High School Grade 11 student said she didn’t take it seriously until 12 or 13.

“I remember when I was a young kid that I would watch my dad draw, and later I tried to copy him on my play easel,” said MacDonald in her biography as the Creek Village Gallery and Café Young Artist for December and January.

She credited a young, talented artist who moved to her neighbourhood for sparking her interest in taking her artistic efforts to the next level.

“A girl a bit older than I had just moved in down the road, and she was an amazing artist,” recalled MacDonald. “I admired her skill, and I made it my mission to become good at art.”

While her efforts didn’t pay dividends immediately, persistence did.

“It was a rocky start, but all through my middle school years, I drew obsessively, and it paid off,” MacDonald said. “I really enjoy drawing because I love the process. I love seeing what beautiful things I can put on paper. I challenge myself to see how accurately I can draw faces or scenes.”

This year, MacDonald is studying art at CNHS.

“I’m in Ms. Nickerson’s Grade 11 visual arts class this semester,” she said.

MacDonald called it a privilege to display her various styles of artwork on the Creek Village Gallery’s Young Artist Showcase.

“I am so excited to share it with everyone,” she said.

Paul Twyford of the Creek Village Gallery and Café said the Young Artist Showcase, sponsored by Woodstock businessman Greg McPherson, is designed to encourage talented young artists like MacDonald and enhance their exposure.

“It’s so encouraging to them to have an opportunity to show and sell their artwork in a gallery,” he said.

Twyford said MacDonald’s work would remain on display through December and January.

He said MacDonald shared a unique business idea involving personalized art for potential clients, which intrigued him.

Twyford referred to the young artist’s creation of an autobiographical piece of artwork, which not only includes a self-portrait but lists her likes, dislikes, friends, interests and other personal details.

For $50, she’ll create an art bio for others,” said Twyford. “They can contact Afton by email for more information at aftymacdonald@gmail.com

MacDonald said biographical art is one of my favourite things to make.

“I wanted to incorporate it with my display somehow, but I didn’t know how to make it relate to others,” she said.

MacDonald provided Twyford with her email address, explaining if someone wants their own customized bio, they simply email her.

“From there, I will send them a form to fill out with the information that I would need to complete the bio,” MacDonald said. “It’ll mostly be things like likes, dislikes, interesting information, age, birthday and so on. They will also provide me with a photo so I can recreate it digitally.”

She said a person could also commission a biographical art piece for someone else, perhaps to give as a Christmas gift.

“I’m really hoping that people will be interested in commissioning me to do this for them because I think it would be a really cool experience,” said MacDonald.

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