Art has served as a method of self-expression for centuries. In several ways, art helps people to mold and shape their identities. For sophomore Luci Newton, though, the idea of art was never that complex. The only thing she knows is that it’s been a part of her life for longer than she can remember.
Luci has been drawing casually since a very young age, purely as a hobby. She would draw people and animals, meticulously observing every individual detail in the process.
“But I never actually took real interest until my freshman year,” Newton said. “ I showed some of my art to my art teacher here, and she decided to move me up to AP Art. That’s when I realized how cool it actually was.”
Luci particularly likes drawing people and human figures. She would ask her mother for anatomy books so she could focus on perfecting a realistic humanoid figure.
Realizing her skill in the field, she decided to create art for commission. She customizes each piece to cater to a customer’s preferences and interests. She even makes custom family portraits.
“I usually sell my paintings on Facebook Marketplace and Instagram,” Newton said. “That’s usually how I market most of my paintings. My customers typically send me a picture of something specific they want me to draw.”
Luci typically spends most of her time working on her commission art, leaving little room for casual drawing. However, seeing her customers happy with her work brings her plenty of joy.
Commission art is time consuming in the sense that small nuances must meet the customer’s expectations. Luci focuses on each and every detail to make sure each piece is flawlessly executed.
Luci strives to inspire the younger generation of upcoming artists and guide them with insightful lessons that she learned from her own artistic journey.
“Especially for beginner artists who really want to pursue this as a dream, I would suggest practicing as much as possible,” Newton stated. “Yes, I know that’s what everyone usually says, but I started practicing a lot early on and it definitely helped me improve my skills.”
Luci hopes to continue making others happy with her art. Even if Luci might not pursue art as a mainstream career, she hopes to pursue art as a passion and as an additional way to make money. With this unique talent, the possibilities of where she can go and the heights she can reach are limitless.
