By Carol Ann Gregg
Allied News Staff Writer
Kids begin drawing at a very early age but for some it is more than a quiet distraction with paper and crayons.
For Jill Mercer, Grove City, drawing led to trying other art forms and finding that she really had talent.
About four years ago, Jill began doing watercolor paintings and about a year ago took her first formal lessons using oil paints.
She took a class in the method of late, popular painter Bob Ross, taught by Sandy Huey at Michael’s Arts and Crafts in Butler. Jill described the method as painting the whole canvas with a base coat and then adding layers.
The class had about five people, so everyone got individual attention. Her first picture turned out very well.
“You make one picture during each class,” Jill said. “The first one turned out good. I had a knack for it and kept going back.”
Jill had seen Bob Ross on public television, so she had an idea of what the class would be like.
“If I can do that good. I wanted to do more,” she said.
One of her pictures was of flowers in a white basket. When asked about how she was able to bring out the weaving of the basket she responded, “Oh, that was a happy mistake, as Bob Ross would say.” Ross encouraged his students to always put their own personality into their paintings.
She also painted a regal picture of a bald eagle.
She has taken art in school when it is offered. She has just completed middle school where art is offered in eighth grade; however, it is not offered in ninth grade, so she is anxious to be able to choose art as an elective in high school.
“There’s a whole lot to learn out there,” she said. “I think that next year I can take 3-D art.”
When she is not painting she is usually drawing. She drew a portrait of her mom’s friend’s dog a while ago.
She would like to paint an ocean scene during the next class she takes. The class takes the students step-by-step through the creation of the final product.
Though she is using the Bob Ross method and picks out one of his works to model, she personalizes it.
“I want to do something with big waves,” she said.
She also enjoys making small clay figures. Her mom, Deb, calls them Claymation figures. She has made many but is particularly fond of making penguins.
When Jill is not working on art projects, she is running. She has just completed the cross-country season and is looking forward to spring and the track season. She enjoys skiing and has played soccer, but doesn’t have time to put it in her busy schedule.
Her paintings were featured at the Grove City YMCA during September and October and she hopes to be able to display her artwork again in the future.
Published November 14, 2009 in Allied News. Pick up a copy at 201A Erie St., Grove City.
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Young artist’s work – á la late Bob Ross – featured at YMCA
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