JACKSONVILLE — When Kaitlyn Ford took her first art class in middle school, she fell in love. The Jacksonville High School junior has already sold several of her pieces.
She was recently given an assignment by her art teacher, Marvin Lindley, and Ford’s white-charcoal-on-black-paper drawing of a cat is now hanging at the 50th annual Young Arkansas Artist Exhibition at the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock. Each school around the state selected one piece to submit for the exhibition, and Ford’s piece was chosen.
“I found a photo, and I thought it was stunning,” Ford said about what inspired the art piece, Clementine. “It is named after my aunt’s cat.”
Lindley said only 10 to 12 works were selected for each grade level from nearly 700 entries statewide. Ford’s work is also eligible for additional cash awards and may travel the state with other selected works. Many of the works will eventually hang in a show at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, a sponsor of the Young Arkansas Artist Exhibition.
Clementine has already been sold, even though it may not be available for two years, Lindley said. If the piece is chosen to go into the traveling gallery, it will be on exhibition for a year, and then it will be on display in the Arkansas Children’s Hospital gallery for six months.
“Several teachers wanted to buy [the drawing], but the assistant principal pulled rank,” Lindley said.
But even though that particular piece is spoken for, Ford was commissioned by another teacher to draw her cat.
Another one of Ford’s black-and-white charcoal assignments won her first place at a contest at Arkansas State University-Beebe.
“It was a still life of a teapot, and it won first place,” Lindley said. “She did it as an exercise piece that she didn’t think much about.”
Ford said she’s not really motivated by the assignments until she really starts working on them.
“He gives us these projects, and I really don’t want to do them, but I really get into them,” Ford said with a laugh. “I just kind of wake up every morning and look forward to going to art class.”
Ford said there isn’t anything particular that motivates her creativity; however, when she goes to an art-supply store, Ford said, she’s like a kid in a candy shop.
“I just randomly get motivated,” she said.
Lindley said he’s been teaching Ford for two years, and in that short time, he has seen her unlock her ability for art.
“We’ve got quite a talented group, and she’s one of our best,” Lindley said.
Ford said she plans to continue her art career after she graduates, but she also intends to develop her creativity in the culinary field. Although she hasn’t decided where she’ll further her education, she said she is looking at the Art Institute of Dallas culinary arts program.
Ford’s work is also on display in the Jacksonville High School gallery.