“There’s a broad intersection among all my interests.” junior Laurel Farmer said. “What I learn in science often connects to what we discuss in English or philosophy. And to me, art sits right at the center of it all.”
In the past year, Laurel has discovered a passion for combining newfound academic interest with her art. While taking neuroscience, she realized she was able to combine her art with more scientific ideals to create something new altogether.
When Laurel was younger, art served as a guide. From making art with her sister to taking art classes in high school, she’s integrated art into every stage of her life.
A foundational part of Laurel’s passion for art comes from her mother, an artist who cultivated Laurel’s motivation.
“The guidance of my mom definitely helped. She’d tell me techniques she was using or give me advice,” Laurel said. “She did a really good job supporting me in maintaining my interest when I was younger, and she still gives me advice.”
During middle school and her ninth grade year, Laurel didn’t have as much time or motivation. She rediscovered her passion for visual art last year, while taking a mixed media art course. This year, Laurel is enrolled in AP Drawing and Painting, where she has begun building a portfolio to submit to colleges as part of her application to art programs. Laurel’s portfolio mainly comprises work from this year, having spent most of last year experimenting with different styles.
Art teacher Ana Romero, who teaches AP Drawing and Painting, has seen immense progress from Laurel over the past year. Ms. Romero has helped Laurel develop her portfolio for college and has helped her to improve her art further.
“She was a little more nervous in the beginning of the year,” Ms. Romero said, “more reluctant and maybe had an idea of what her work was supposed to be. But now, I’ve seen she’s really grown past that.”
Part of Laurel’s development as an artist has been to step outside of what she thinks art is supposed to look like, and integrate her own passions into her work. Laurel uses the intersection of art and science to stabilize her art and improve her confidence, as well as find a more neutral perspective to work from.
Currently, Laurel is working on an art piece where she traces lines on a slab of wood to create human figures, neural networks and even roots or tree forms, using nails and wire to contrast the natural grain of the wood. The piece is a symbol for how humans perceive or are directed by outside systems, and how rapidly spreading technology may integrate into but also harm natural structures.
“Any idea relating to the human condition really interests me. Especially neuroscience adds a more objective perspective, because a lot of times the first thing I might think of to make is more subjective to my own life,” Laurel said. “So to bring that down to earth and relate to scientific ideas is interesting, even if it isn’t obvious in the painting.”
Laurel hopes to continue combining art and science as she progresses into college, and even into the professional realm. As she pursues her passions, she will continue to look for the intersection where she can mix these hobbies.
“I hope in my life out of school I could successfully merge art and science in some way,” Laurel said. “Even if they were in different spheres of my life, I feel like they would still influence each other and affect the way I think about the world.”
