Meet the AP Artist: Aldridge takes home Scholastic art honors
February 3, 2016
Growing up, some kids might have liked finger painting or coloring books, but Natalie Aldridge, senior, went beyond. “I remember as young as 4 or 5 drawing constantly. When I was in kindergarten a teacher told my parents that she thinks that I will grow up to be an artist. At a young I age my ability and fascination with art was well beyond my peers.” Aldridge said. Today, Aldridge continues her passion for art, and her talent has progressed. Aldridge won four Scholastic Art awards this year for her digital art, photography portfolio and charcoal drawing, resulting in the opportunity to display one of her pieces at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Check out out some of her thoughts on receiving these awards, as well as the words of her fellow artists, below.
Q: What was it like getting your first award, and what awards did you win?
A: Well, a few weeks ago a lady from Scholastic sent me an email telling me that I had received the Scholastic awards along with the names of the other recipients. I won two honorable mentions and two silver keys. I was extremely surprised that I even won anything because Scholastic is extremely prestigious and has thousands of entries. I was so thrilled when I received the news because I am so passionate about my art and creativity in all forms so to be recognized for something you love is amazing. Also, building on the awards–I also was very humbled because many great artists, including some from Homestead, have their art rejected so to be chosen is a real honor.
Q: How did you get into art to being with?
A : I’ve always had a natural artistic ability. Two of my uncles were actually artists. My parents have always supported my creative abilities in more mediums than one, for example through painting or photography or my love of fashion or writing. They have always allowed me to explore my talents. I remember as young as 4 or 5 drawing constantly. When I was in kindergarten a teacher told my parents that she thinks that I will grow up to be an artist. At a young I age my ability and fascination with art was well beyond my peers. No one is born an artist, not even Van Gogh. I am always learning and practicing.
Q: Who is your biggest inspiration as an artist and what has been your most rewarding experience of being an artist?
A: I really admire Toulouse Lautrec and Dali for more classic and whimsical pieces. Art is a relative term so I also love Alber Albaz, Andrew Yang, Grace Coddington and many more. They are artists in their own right even if it doesn’t include a pen and paper. This experience through Scholastic has been the most rewarding because it is the first time my art is being recognized in such a great scale. Also, not many people can say they have had art in an art museum let alone at age 17. There is no particular scary moment that stands out; however, every artist can empathize with the scary feeling of pouring your soul into a piece and having it not turn out.
Q:( To Eleanor White, junior art student) What is it like having Aldridge in class?
A: She’s super fun to have in class and we’ve become pretty tight this trimester and I can see work professing and her technical skills improving. She has an original style and dabbles in a lot of different media successfully.
Q: (To Mrs. Kat Hustedde, art teacher) What it is like to have Aldridge as a student in your class?
A: Natalie brings a unique skill set to the art room. She is highly teachable and humble, with a passion for a variety of art media, techniques and applications. Her wry sense of humor comes through in her work. She is an avid photographer and is equally proficient in drawing media. She explores both art forms individually, but is also combining them for her AP Studio Art “Concentration Series,” an image from which won a Silver Key in the Scholastic Art competition. The Scholastic judges honored her as both a photographer, illustrator and digital artist with separate awards which is quite remarkable.”
