What initially seems like an ordinary moment, transforms into a masterpiece under the touch of WCHS senior Elisabeth Rhee’s pastels. Soft strokes of pastel graze the paper, creating a sense of tranquility and softness that invites the viewer to linger on specific elements. Rhee’s artwork does not contain a single word, but hidden within her pastels and pencil strokes are countless stories waiting to be heard.
“Some of my earliest memories are of drawing with my sister or classmates during preschool,” Rhee said. “I remember exchanging drawings and creating small comics with friends. I think it was mostly those friendships that led me to draw so much the majority of my school years.”
During her sophomore and junior years, Rhee began exploring and taking art more seriously. She took courses like AP Drawing and started classes at Stone Branch School of Art, with a focus on studying art, learning new strategies and improving her technique.
“Working in a studio space with instructors helped me to take control over my own art,” Rhee said. “I learned to concentrate for long periods of time while maintaining effort and quality. It was also very enjoyable to have other students around me. Seeing the workflow of others, their passion and perseverance was very motivating. It felt like we were all unified through art, and I found that relatability comforting.”
A blank piece of paper contains endless possibilities. While it may be intimidating to put the first stroke down, through guidance under her art teachers, Rhee was able to conquer that fear and turn her ideas from imagination into a piece that can speak to others and communicate through shared experiences.
“The biggest challenge students face [in AP Art classes] is having to come up with their own body of work that is unique and meaningful to them,” WCHS art teacher Jillian Tebay said. “A lot of students struggle with this because even though complete artistic freedom sounds fun, it can be overwhelming and hard to come up with original ideas that align with their voice as an artist. They have the same standards and expectations as college artists and even professional artists who have much more experience with the creative process.”
Rhee’s pieces have been featured in art exhibitions at Stone Branch School of Art, where she showcased many of her still lifes and anatomy studies. Looking ahead however, Rhee hopes to be a children’s book illustrator. Creating books for children is something she has always been interested in, and by blending storytelling with illustration, she aspires to share her stories with the world.
“If I had to choose a favorite art piece, I would choose one that I made in my AP Drawing class,” Rhee said. “There is a certain scenery that I visit a lot in my mind, and I think I was able to capture it. When I look at the drawing, I feel like I would like to step inside it and lie down on the grass. I titled it ‘Secret.’ It is six pieces of paper sewn together, creating a scene where a girl picks ladybugs off another’s skin. I thought the action was particularly intimate and I wanted to illustrate that sort of ‘brief happiness.’”
Rhee is planning to continue her journey with art after graduation by attending art school next fall. Whether it be for aesthetics, beauty, communication, the physical process or all of these combined, she believes art is invaluable to both the artist and viewer.
“Personally, I have found art as a way to preserve my memories,” Rhee said. “I think of each piece, sketch or doodle as a record, accumulating in my possession. It is very important to me to remember how I felt during past segments of my life.”
Not only does art serve as a way to record memories for Rhee—it is an invaluable tool for understanding both herself. Each artist’s unique perspective has the power to stir countless emotions from the viewer, sometimes in ways words cannot. This is something Rhee deeply resonates with, as her own artistic journey has always been rooted in personal expression and shared experience.
“Interacting with drawing felt instinctual,” Rhee said. “I think that is the main reason why I use art as a way of communicating myself to others.”
