Student Artist Spotlight: Nina Ferguson
We have just two weeks left in our 2023 Design Contest and we are getting so excited to see the artwork you all create! It’s time to spotlight another contest winner from our 2022 Student Design Contest! Our first interview was with Lindsay Angulo, last year’s First Place prize winner. Today we hear from Nina Ferguson, a student at Centennial High School in Las Cruces and winner of our 2022 People’s Choice award!
Nina is currently in 12th grade at Centennial High School. We sent her some interview questions about being an up and coming artist and we are thrilled to share the with you today.
Tell us about your winning contest entry from 2022, where the theme was Self Portrait. What or who inspired you?
My winning art piece from 2022 was highly inspired by my art teacher of five years Amanda Marcott. She was the one who informed me about the content and pushed me to enter. Immediately, after hearing about this self-portrait contest I started my piece and worked on it deliberately; I used watercolors which was a supply at the time I wasn’t very experienced in using.
How did it feel to be an art contest winner?
After winning this art contest I felt powerful like my art really had an affect on people and that my art could possibly inspire others!!
Tell us about your current artistic style. What materials do you use? Who inspires you?
My current artistic style varies on what I’m shooting for in an art piece; one day I’m doing full realism and the next I’m doing something more on the side of animation style ! As a senior in high school, I’ve decided that I really want to go to college for animation and someone who inspired that decision for me and continues to inspire me are the animators Hayao Miyazaki and Hideaki Anno both of their art styles as animators are so striking I find my self in awe watching their creations.
“The best advice I’ve received when it comes to art is “just keep practicing and pay attention to details.” This advice came from my dad who was one an artist himself.”
What are some of your goals for the future? How do you see yourself incorporating art into that it?
A personal goal I have for my future self is to have my own animation studio .I want to create films that inspire other artist to become animators just like Hideaki Anno and Hayao Miyazaki inspired me .
Do you have any advice for other students?
Artist Nina Ferguson at work!
Don’t be hard on yourself, when you feel your art isn’t as good as others just keep pushing yourself to practice. Art isn’t just something you can pick up a pencil and do perfectly the first time, it takes time and patience.Consistent practice is the only thing you can do to improve your art. Step outside of your comfort zone and try to draw something new or something you’ve been dreading to try.
What is the best advice you've every received, and who gave it to you?
The best advice I’ve received when it comes to art is “just keep practicing and pay attention to details.” This advice came from my dad who was one an artist himself.
Thank you, Nina! We appreciate your time and we look forward to seeing you succeed as an artist.
For information on the 2023 Design Contest, click here!
Posted by: Lydia Phillips
