Funnell wraps tentacles around surreal vision as mural grows in F-area

The Wildcat clan derives from a broad sea of athletes, musicians, craftsmen, actors, and of course, artists. Senior Trinity Funnell, a sparkling example of the creative liberty funnelled through West’s art program, has taken all four drawing and painting courses, alongside three semesters of advanced study, two photoshop courses, a bout of jewelry and sculpture, and of course indulging in artistic activities outside of school. To cement her legacy, she now has artistically authored her very own mural. 

“Being a senior I wanted to create a mural that would perfectly capture and preserve who I am as an artist, so my art that I’m doing is abstract, colorful, and surreal,” she said.

Having successfully completed advanced study drawing and painting, Funnell decided to take on the feat of a large scale painting in the lunchroom. Next came the question of what she wanted to create as a piece that would remain years after her departure.  

“This particular piece depicts an octopus destroying the International Space Station; it even has one of the astronauts trapped in one of its tentacles,” she said. “It is a bizarre concept, but I took inspiration from old paintings of sea monsters attacking ships and pirates attacking back.”

Her creative idea, a staple of her personality, was approved  by both art teachers and administration, who reviews the sketches before murals can be painted in the F room. 

“Her mural is creative; she’s talented,” art teacher Linda Geffers said. “It's unique and right up Trin’s alley. It’s a signature Trin artwork to me and it’ll end up being great; I think that students will enjoy it.” 

Principal Erin Kohl focuses her decisions on the opinion of students.

“Her mural is very creative and very well done, and for me it’s less about how I like the artwork and more about something that students are going to connect to and that they’re going to see in their lunchroom every day,” she said. 

Funnell began painting the piece early in November, and being an artist of predominantly colored pencil, she was determined to paint something bigger than the usual expectations of the drawing and painting course.

“I’ve been interested in doing a mural for a long time,” she said. “My older sisters Sonja and Eve who both went to West also did murals for the lunch room, but they’ve been painted over since then. I just felt like I wanted to leave my mark here and preserve who I am and my artistic legacy.”

Although painting over the preexisting murals is somewhat bittersweet, Kohl is confident that the program allows past paintings adequate time before giving new artists the same opportunity.

“Once a mural gets to be several years old, where students who would have a connection to it have graduated and are long gone, is when we’ve oftentimes decided to paint over them,” she said.

Reminiscing on the history of the program, Geffers remembered back to 1999, when the West art program was structured differently than the present day. 

“We used to have year-long art classes; we had art one, two, three, and four. At the art three level, it was a required project to paint a mural.” she said. “Then through the years, the year-long courses got cut into semester courses for graduation requirements, and we were worried students wouldn’t have enough time to finish them.”

Despite this change, Funnell wants to inspire her successors as an advanced study student. She appreciates the mural program and hopes that her peers will explore mediums outside of their comfort zones. 

“I think by having murals around, the art is inspiring to artists to try new mediums and art styles, and I feel that it gives a boost of confidence so that artists don’t feel ashamed of the artistic aesthetics they’re versed in,” she said.

As a senior artist, Funnell personifies the desire to expand art mediums through her experience as not just a multiple-class art student, but also as the graphic artist for The Notebook.

“I was the yearbook graphic editor, which I did last year and am doing this year as well,” she said. “I can’t say anything about the theme since it’s a secret until students receive their yearbooks, but originally I felt like it was a fun way for me to show off my artistic skills, and put them to use.”

Geffers, having had Funnell as a student for four years now, appreciates the bonds she grows with her students when they stick with her until their senior years.

“I have enjoyed seeing Trin come out of her shell a bit more every semester that I’ve had her. I always wish that she’ll be more comfortable but I know she’s a shy individual,” she said, “She is very talented, which all the Funnells have been throughout the years, and she’s just always a good student to have around.”

As a senior, Funnell has dreams for the future of the art programs of West and hopes that in the future, more representation will be handed to the elective curriculum. 

“I feel that there could be stronger appreciation for art in our school,” she said. “I don’t think it will ever be on par with sports. When I was the graphic artist last year, I even had to push for original art to be put into the yearbook.”

Geffers has a similar view, as an art teacher she would love to expand the representation of art students anywhere possible in the school. Geffers agrees and recognizes the hard work that already goes into displaying such talent. 

““Of course I would love to see more art representation, not necessarily only in mural form, but in other forms too,” Geffers said. 

Alongside her hope for the future of art programs, Funnell also hopes her efforts inspire others to climb out of boxes.

“When they look at my mural, I want artists to feel inspired to try out a more surreal kind of style because I feel the art classes here help you build off of the skills you already have,” she said. “I especially want fellow students to reach into different mediums.”

By Paige Helfrich

Oshkosh West Index Volume 118 Issue 3

November 29 2021