Artist Mentorship Program
New Century Art, River Rec Teen Zone, and the Mariner Partner Up To Mentor Young Artists
New Century Art Gallery, River Rec Teen Zone, and the Mariner has teamed up to mentor three local teen artists with ambitions of building a career doing the art they love. Over an eight-month period the teens will create work to be put in their first professional exhibition and learn the business of art through this artist mentorship program. Check this page often for updates on the teens and their progress!
Exhibition dates: July 1-31 Reception: Friday, July 8, 6-8pm
About the Artists
Elaina B.
Jillian P.
Elaina B.
Biography
My name is Elaina and I attend Marysville Public Schools. I’m a self-taught artist who enjoys experimenting with different styles and media.
Animals have always been my forte, especially watercolor, but I am excited to expand my abilities, style, and media via the diverse opportunities I’m being given.
My work is sold at the “Mos
Biography
My name is Elaina and I attend Marysville Public Schools. I’m a self-taught artist who enjoys experimenting with different styles and media.
Animals have always been my forte, especially watercolor, but I am excited to expand my abilities, style, and media via the diverse opportunities I’m being given.
My work is sold at the “Mostly Michigan” gift shop in the Birchwood Mall, Fort Gratiot.
I donated my original watercolor painting of a honeybee, entitled “The Pollinator,” for an auction at the first annual “Hannah R. Winkler” Memorial Golf Outing and Banquet in June, 2021. I am in the process of working with “Paws for A Cause,” an organization dedicated to funding service animals for folks with disabilities. They’ve requested that I donate some animal prints for their advertising literature.
My first art exhibit was last summer, August, 2021, with The St. Clair Art Association, and I sold a framed print! I currently have several prints for sale in the art association gift shop in St. Clair, MI.
I received third prize in the “Boat The Blue” art competition, Summer, 2021. I won third prize in the “Hope Lives Here” CMH poster contest in 2020. Most recently, I earned an honorable mention through the Scholastic Art Contest, 2022.
I look very forward to having several pieces of artwork displayed in my first ever exhibit as one of three featured artists in the artist mentorship program at the New Century Art Gallery.
Artist Statement
Personality is what brings my paintings to life. My work isn't usually intended to make a statement, but to capture the emotion and essence of my subject.
One of my strongest subjects to paint is pets. When working on a commission, I intuitively focus on the details of the animal. For example, the eyes draw me in. When painting the eyes, color, depth, and reflectiveness are things I strive to perfect. As I finish the nuances of the eye color, I tend to lay down blue paint instead white for the reflection because blue is a cooler and less harsh color. Blue gives more depth and serenity, creating a more welcoming expression of the soul.
I enjoy the challenge of layering paint and pencil to capture the texture and sheen of the animal's coat. I often use pencil for finishing touches like whiskers.
I create art that captures a moment of the subject's interaction with the world.
Hannah G.
Jillian P.
Elaina B.
Biography
My name is Hannah and I'm an artist from Michigan. Through my art I like to show my struggles as well as my views on the world. Many of my pieces are about my struggle with me identity. I grew up loving art, I used to always spend most of my time at the craft table at church and school drawing. Throughout the years my love for art never faded.
Jillian P.
Jillian P.
Jillian P.
Biography
Jillian was born and raised in St. Clair County, spending her weekends up north in Atlanta, Michigan and Higgins Lake, Michigan, she spent most of her childhood summers riding four wheelers and swimming. Jillian’s love of art started when she started watching tv shows, and wanted to draw and write about her own characters and sto
Biography
Jillian was born and raised in St. Clair County, spending her weekends up north in Atlanta, Michigan and Higgins Lake, Michigan, she spent most of her childhood summers riding four wheelers and swimming. Jillian’s love of art started when she started watching tv shows, and wanted to draw and write about her own characters and stories. She spent years practicing art; her passions for nature, mythology, and fantasy, shining through in many of her pieces. Over many years of practice Jillian has picked up many mediums such as graphite, acrylics, bookbinding, quilting, and digital art, over the years. Jillian’s art is a reflection of herself, being diverse, varied, and creative. Most of her art serves to tell a story, whether it be her personal story or the story of her characters.
Outside of her art, Jillian is committed to her education and school environment. Jillian is in her school's student council and volunteers at the SCAA. Jillian’s friends and family are incredibly important to her, supporting her in her journey as an artist. Jillian hopes to give this same support to others by becoming an art teacher and helping a new generation of artists getting their art the recognition it deserves.
Artist Statement
I have been inspired by a lot of different artists over the years. Many of their art styles have greatly influenced my own. Some of my favorite artists currently are Anna Tendler, Phoenixcrystudio, Anrimortis, Yukkedondon, Klimtsonian, Plasticlamb, and Cranitys. Some of these artists you can see their influence in my art, and some you can't, but I look up to these artists and hope to be at their skill level eventually. Most of my other influences are literary, I’ve always had a love for mythology and fantasy, and these are clearly shown in my art. My inspiration for the theme of death in my art is more of a spiritual inspiration. Many fear death and are unsure what's on the other side of death. My art is a way for me to explore the concept of death in a way that makes sense and comforts me.
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