• Camryn Bird
  • “Star Crossed Lovers,” by Camryn Bird

Camryn Bird, Peer Choice Contest Winner

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“Star Crossed Lovers,” by 18-year-old Camryn Bird, was voted by our online readers as the 2019 Creative Outlook Peer Choice Contest winner.

Bird is a freshman at Augustana University studying Art Education. Currently, her favorite medium to work with is oil pastels.

“Elated” to have won the Peer Choice Award, Bird said she is even more inspired to keep making art and to follow her dreams.

While she is still honing in on her ultimate goal after graduating from art school, Bird has a gleam in her eye about possibly owning her own studio/art gallery in which she can display local artists’ work and give art lessons.

Chat with the Winner

When did you first discover your artistic talent?

Senior year of High School.

In what ways has art impacted your life?

Art helps me decompress from stressful days, allowing me to clear my mind and focus on the present. It revealed both my talent for art and helping people as well, which is why I want to become an Art Education teacher. Many people comment on my art, inspiring some to create their own. Lots of comments, however, revolve around thinking they’ll never be as good as I am. Comments like these are precisely why I want to teach art and show people it isn’t as hard as it looks. It just takes practice and dedication.

What was your inspiration for the piece of art that won in our contest?

My inspiration for “Star Crossed Lovers” was a surrealistic interpretation of the Sun and Moon that was floating around in my head. Originally, I wanted to do a pencil rendering of two people in a solely realistic way. However, I thought it would be too boring and wanted to challenge myself to think outside the box. In doing so, I came up with the idea to personify the Sun and Moon as lovers. What can I say, I’m a bit of a hopeless romantic.

How would you describe your piece of art if it were in a  museum and you were giving the museum tour to a group of patrons?

“Star Crossed Lovers” is a colored pencil rendering of the personified Sun and Moon. Originally intended to be a realistic drawing of two people, I chose to step out of my comfort zone and create something more surrealistic. Using texture, color, form and balance, I made a unique and fantastical piece of art.

What would you say to other students who are interested in art but haven’t given it a try?

Don’t worry about being good or not, just jump right into the deep end and get your hands dirty. Art is all about experimentation and most importantly, having fun! Who knows, it might even become one of your favorite things to do.

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Alexia Lang holds a journalism degree from the University of Missouri. Lang has worked in newspapers, magazines, radio and blogs, producing award-winning content centered around community and the arts.

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