Amanda Merchant

     I was home schooled until I was 13 years old.  I lived in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.  I drew almost every day with my free time.  I've put pencils and pens to paper, creating my own works of art, for as long as I can remember.
     When my mom died in 2004, my step dad and his new wife took guardianship of me and my three younger siblings, and we were all sent to public school for the first time in our lives.  It was very different, and intimidating for me.  But my talent carried on over to "public".  I was in every art class and art show I could get in.  I loved it.
     I started public school in 7th grade.  During that year, all I could get in that was closest to art as possible was a humanities class; mostly just History of Art, and beading, with a little drawing.
     Before 8th grade we moved to Luray, Kansas, a town with a population of about 300 people.  The closest class to art during 8th grade was a sewing class, but still not what I absolutely wanted to be in.  Despite this, a lot of people started recognizing my doodles and drawings.  Luckily there was a yearly art show in Luray, and I was determined to enter!  I won first place with my colored pencil drawing, "Big Mac", along with some prize money.
     Once 9th grade rolled around, I was able to take real art classes!  I was so excited.  My art was chosen for all district art shows that year.
     Before 10th grade, I got to move back to Tahlequah with my family.  During my sophmore year, all my personal "keepers" were chosen for the district art shows, and my pencil drawing, "Mare and Foal", won Honorable Mention that year.
     As a junior, I am back in Humanities, and am missing the classes of drawing, and hope to get more into painting.
     I love creating life with pieces of such simple materials.  Art is amazing.