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Hernando Today

A Study In Art Scholarships

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By TONY MARRERO

Published: May 17, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Their interests range from photography to oil paint, from pencil to computer-assisted animation.

But all four artists are ready to go forth and further develop their styles, and each will get help from the Spring Hill Art League. The league provides $1,000 scholarships each year to local high school students who plan to study art in college.

Here are this year's winners, who will be honored at a dinner hosted by the League this Monday:

Sherry Haber, Central High School

Sherry Haber's paintings can turn out as textured as a raise-relief map.

"I think I'm still developing my style, but above all I like to use the medium to its fullest potential," says Haber, 18. "Carve into it, put things on top of it, and create this really interesting surface."

The daughter of Eric and Yvonne Haber of Weeki Wachee, Haber started taking lessons art lessons with Mary Petricone, owner of Your Arts Desire Fine Art Gallery and Studio in Spring Hill, at the age of 10. Haber is still studying under Petricone, who she says taught her not just the basics of composition and technique, but also "a different perspective on life, how to see things differently."

Haber, who headed Central's art club, said she most enjoys working with oil paint. She often eschews canvas for wood panels, whose porous surfaces soak up the oils.

She will head to New College in Sarasota this fall, majoring in art with a focus on fine art and painting.

Allison Maldonado, Springstead High

Allison Maldonado is serious about cartoons.

Maldonado, 17, says her tendency toward whimsy that makes her feel as though she's found her niche.

"I tried realism, and it's OK, but I always somehow go back to making everything turn out really funny," Maldonado says.

The native of Puerto Rico has been drawing her whole life and was drawn to anime, a style that originated in Japan, in eighth grade. She founded the anime club at Wesley Chapel High School, and served as president of Springstead's art club.

She draws her pieces by hand, scans them and uses Photoshop to tweak and add color. Judges in art shows remark at her technique and "how clean they are," she says. She has already created her own characters who will form the foundation of her own Web comic.

The daughter of Edward Maldonado and Sylvia Pagan of Spring Hill, Maldonado plans to attend Pasco-Hernando Community College and dreams of illustrating children's books.

"Or working at Disney," she adds. "That'd be cool."

Kaitlynn Royal, Hernando High

Kaitlynn Royal admits it took a while to feel comfortable aiming a lens.

Royal, 18, started out shooting sports for Hernando High's yearbook, The Growl, in her freshman year.

"At first I was a little iffy how I preformed behind the camera, but after I got used to it I really liked it, and progressed," Royal says.

The daughter of Scott and BobbiJo Royal of Brooksville balanced shooting with her duties as student government president, cheerleader and member of the weightlifting, cross country and track teams.

She credits art instructor Michael Nicholson with improving her eye for composition.

She'll be taking her Canon Rebel this fall to Daytona Beach College, a four-year college known for its photography program. She said she hopes to combine two of her passions by landing a job as a sports photographer.

Kerry O'Connor, Hernando Christian Academy

Sometimes the simplest tools can evoke the most passion.

So it is with 18-year-old Kerry O'Connor and the pencil, which she has used to sketch and shade all her life.

"There's an intensity to it, says O'Connor. "It draws you in."

O'Connor, the daughter of Linda and Paddy O'Connor of Brooksville, played varsity volleyball at HCA and earned a spot in the National Honor Society. She credits art teacher Tracey Kuka with showing her how "not to be afraid to try new things," including new media such as painting.

O'Connor will attend Flagler College in St. Augustine this fall with plans to major in graphic design. She has visions of creating her own graphic novel one day, and perhaps traveling as a missionary to spread a love of art to developing countries.

"I'm hoping to learn how to get better at my art, and how to make it useful at the same time," she said.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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