Senior Spotlight: Weickert puts passion on canvas as art fosters growth

Four golden sunflowers reaching their petals toward the sun. Three pairs of beautiful, deep eyes. Two glass bottles dripping water against an orange sunset. One talented artist, senior Hailey Weickert, has taken drawing and painting classes in high school since her freshman year. Weickert’s interest in art began early on in life, although she explored it in greater depth later on. 

“I’ve been drawing since I was really little,” she said. “When I was in elementary school, I would sketch in my notebooks. But, I probably really started in middle school.”

Weickert’s main channel for art is drawing and painting and she has found that her favorite way to draw is with chalk.

“I really like the chalk drawing I did this year of a sunset on an ocean,” she said. “I just thought it was really fun to blend the colors.”

Throughout the years in class, art teacher Kelly Spanbauer has witnessed Weickert’s growth in exploring new ways to create. Spanbauer also enjoys seeing how Weickert interacts with the other student artists around her. 

“It has always been fun to watch Hailey work on her art and see how she motivates others to do their very best,” Spanbauer said. 

Having Weickert in her class for multiple years has also made art teacher Linda Geffers appreciate a special aspect of her personality. 

“Hailey’s one of the sweetest people I know,” Geffers said. “I love that she was extremely shy, and now she’ll talk more and ask about you. But I just think she is sweet, above everything else.” 

Geffers recognized Hailey’s natural abilities from the beginning and has only seen her grow since then. 

“Hailey was talented when she got here; she’s always had a natural eye,” she said. “She has really grown as an artist in her ability to make things more realistic and have more depth.” 

Along with Geffers, Spanbauer has seen Weickert improve in making her pieces as close to real life as possible. 

“She’s grown in her understanding of the importance of using the highest levels of contrast in colors to make the most three-dimensional effect,” she said. 

Geffers also notes a change in Weickert regarding her personality and going out of her comfort zone. 

“For me, teaching art, the best part is about my relationships with the students, so I love that she was able to come out of her shell and start the conversation with me,” Geffers said. 

Weickert herself has recognized how she’s been able to become more open with her teachers over the years and is grateful for the support they have always given her. 

“Over the past four years, I've gotten to know my art teachers a lot better,” she said. “I always feel comfortable in their classes and know I can go to them if I need anything. I really enjoy having them as my teachers because they're always smiling and willing to help or talk with me whenever I need to.”

After taking one drawing and painting class her freshman year, Weickert was excited to take more throughout her next three years. 

“I felt like I learned a lot and was able to use a bigger variety of mediums during my first year of art in high school, so I kept going with it,” she said. 

Weickert was able to take an art class each year, and she encourages others who have space in their schedule to give it a try as well. 

“I think it’s a really fun break throughout the day, and if you like art you’ll learn a lot more about it,” she said. 

Joining an art class and creating art could also lead to receiving recognitions and awards, like Weickert has gotten with her work. 

“I put some of my artwork in the fair through 4-H, so I’ve gotten some awards through there,” she said. “I’ve also done a couple other art contests that are statewide.”

Weickert sees each award won as a milestone in her journey and a mark of improvement. 

“Winning awards for art makes me feel accomplished because it shows that I've grown as an artist and can keep growing,” she said. 

It brings Geffers joy to see students showcase their talents. She is excited when others are able to recognize and acknowledge their creativity, hard work, and time. 

“On our Instagram, I just posted a picture of one of the latest pieces Hailey has done, and it’s gotten the most likes we’ve ever had, and it’s phenomenal,” she said. “A couple of the other art schools who follow us thought it was awesome as well, so I’m always just happy for them.”

Weickert feels it is essential to pursue an interest as it can lead to personal growth. 

“Once you follow your passion or talent, you can grow a lot in it and learn to love it even more,” she said. 

Weickert believes that the first step is always just to try, and she encourages others to be patient and open-minded. 

“I think anyone can be good at art,” she said. “It just really takes time, and you can really do whatever you want with art.”

Weickert has indeed displayed this with her artwork, as Spanbauer had a hard time finding a favorite out of all the unique pieces her student has created. She is excited to see where life takes the senior next and knows she’ll continue to improve. 

“I see so much natural talent, and she just keeps getting better,” she said. “I have enjoyed watching her grow from a very shy 9th grader to an extremely confident young adult who is ready to explore all of her potential paths in life.” 

Geffers’ desire for Weickert is that she continues to create, even if it is just for a few minutes to destress or to make gifts for others. 

“Sometimes when students who have this incredible talent and they leave here and they stop creating, it’s a little sad,” she said. “So I hope that in her busy, crazy schedule, she can still find some time to relax and still make art for the rest of us to enjoy.” 

By Keerthana Ambati

Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue IV

February 1st, 2020