A: The photograph I worked from (the composition, lighting, etc.) is to be credited to my teacher, Mr. Himes. Mr. Himes chose a bright, blue-sky day to do his work. He went into Lancaster City searching for picture-worthy signs, and brought back beautiful digital printouts of what he collected.

Q: What medium/media did you use? In which section of the portfolio did you submit it?

A: I used Prismacolor colored pencils at the advice of my teacher Mr. Himes. When I was making it, I remember using all the shades of gray the 120-pencil set had, while the other colors became strange to me. This piece was part of the Breadth section of my portfolio.

Q: What particularly do you like about the artwork?

A: I liked how the Buick sign seems, at least to me, to be 15 feet tall, but in reality is only around 3 feet. I like the way the light plays on an old, used, and otherwise fairly drab building, the gorgeous blue sky, the interesting composition of the picture, the curve of the Buick letters, and the fact that I had owned a Buick.

Q: Did the piece involve any particular challenges or difficulties?

A: Any piece this size has its challenges. I did not, however, have to struggle with proportions, because I was able to use a projector for the picture and did a quick sketch. I have to say, this will probably be the last piece I will ever do this size in colored pencils. It was an enormous task, and to give you an idea, it took me two months to complete. I worked on it Monday through Friday for roughly an hour and forty-five minutes each day. I, along with my teacher and a few classmates, was overjoyed to have it done.

Q: Did you study art long before taking AP?

A: I don't know what you would consider as studies; if it's taking as many art courses as I could, taking them seriously, and occasionally working on my own style, then, yes, I studied art long before this class. I've always enjoyed art, especially when I found that I had it in me to excel past others I was around. It also runs in my family. I'm now seeing it in all of my younger brothers and sisters as they mature (I'm the second child in seven).

Q: What are your plans for the future? What are you doing now?

A: Right now I am taking classes at Bradley Academy for the Visual Arts in York, Pennsylvania, and have just reached the halfway mark. I will graduate in December of 2001 with an associate’s degree in Graphic Design. Although I would love to pursue the fine art of sculpture, I believe the applied art of graphic design will support me better financially. After graduation, I'll begin working my way up the ladder to become an art director. My goal is to have my own studio. Above all, I hope to never separate myself from the gifts I've been given; once an artist always an artist.