Pablo Ventura or Pablo Picasso?

By: Paige Vespestad

Growing up, Pablo always had an interest in art. Beginning in the fourth grade, Pablo was
drawn to the creativity and freedom that went along with his elementary school art class.
The feeling of peace he experienced while drawing whatever came to his mind was like nothing
he had ever experienced before. The variety of colors, the new tools, such as paints, brushes,
pastels, and pencils all captivated him. There was an instant connection to the subject. While
the rest of school could not keep his attention, Pablo says that art class was the “only time that
I was awake,” during the school day. While some may not even recall their fourth grade
art class, this class planted a seed in Pablo that would only continue to blossom as he got older.

As Pablo progressed through middle school and the early years of high school, his connection
to art, while still present, diminished. This is due partly to the fact that in his middle school
classes, the art curriculum focused on sculpture and three dimensional art which to Pablo, “was
much more...difficult” overall, mediums he found difficult to work with. Even though art was a
part of his life, it was not a dominant one. Pablo enjoyed art in everyday life but, he wasn’t
actively drawing, sketching, or painting. While he grew less active for a period, it was only a
matter of time before he reconnected to his favorite pastime. When Pablo reached his senior
year of high school he enrolled in a class that would reignite his love for art.

Pablo’s art teacher at Shawnee Mission West High School, Mrs. Reiner, recognized Pablo’s
potential from day one. Mrs. Reiner pushed Pablo’s sketching abilities to the limits. In
Mrs. Reiner’s class is where he also tested his abilities with watercolors and pastels as different
mediums to challenge himself. One of Pablo’s greatest accomplishments during this final art class,
was making a sketch of trees with such extraordinary, realistic details, that this piece was hung up
in the school entry way. Every student, faculty member, and visitor to the school is greeted by
Pablo’s piece. This was one of his most memorable moments of his high school career because
he was able to see his hard work pay off. Mrs. Reiner’s art class had such an impact on
Pablo that to this day, he still owns his sketchbook from the class and will occasionally
pull it out and sketch.

There are many benefits to being involved in a visual art community. According to Be Brain Fit,
creating art relieves stress and makes you feel calm. In addition, creating, whether that be painting,
drawing, or sculpting, also encourages you to think outside the box and increases brain plasticity.
Creating even the smallest piece, benefits your mind and spirit. This contradicts the common
misconception that in order to attain mental or emotional clarity from art,you need to work with an
art therapist. Activating the creative side of your brain is very beneficial in developing a healthy
mental balance. Thinking and creating gives the rest of your brain a break from the worrisome
thoughts that can consume us.

Today, Pablo views art as his hobby. What attracts him to art is how it can be done anywhere, at
anytime. Pablo can “doodle when [he] is bored,” draw after finishing errands, and even “paint on
any afternoon” to relax and take the stresses of the day away. Because art is so flexible and has no
schedule, it can easily be put into Pablo’s life to whatever degree time will allow. At this point in
time Pablo makes it a priority of his to do something art related at least “four to five times every
month.” This ranges from sketching while watching television to blocking out sections of his
weekends to paint a canvas. This also includes activities such as visiting art museums or attending
first Fridays, a display of local art in the Crossroads.

Pablo describes his art style as, “what he is comfortable with.” While he adds his own
personal touch to each one of his works, his style is plain and realistic. Pablo’s main color
palette includes mostly primary colors--red, yellow, and blue,--and mixes in whites and
blacks as well. Pablo draws inspiration from everything around, but especially likes to
draw cartoons that he sees from “watching television.” On the other hand, his favorite
subjects for canvas paintings are much more realistic. While some artists choose to seek
inspiration online through art blogs such as on the website, Art Prompts, Pablo chooses to draw
scenes from nature of mountains or trees, similar to his work from high school that gained him
notoriety.

In addition to looking for physical inspiration, Pablo also looks up to many famous artists and
learns from them. Pablo said that if he could take a lesson from any artist, he would choose Pablo
Ruiz Picasso, a famous Spanish artist, because he would have an “interesting conversation with him,”
about art techniques and influences. In addition to Picasso, Pablo admires Vincent Van Gogh, a
Dutch impressionist painter in the late 1800’s, and Oscar-Claude Monet, a French painter in the
late 1800’s to early 1900’s. Currently, Pablo also seeks advice and learns from Bob Ross, an
American painter and instructor. Pablo hopes to “follow his lead” and paint like him.

In the future Pablo sees art continuing as a hobby as opposed to turning into a career. While
Pablo very much enjoys art, he would not pursue a career in the area. When asked if he would
consider selling his art, Pablo says that he has definitely thought about it, but prefers to give his
art as a gift and seeing the recipient’s face light up with joy. This is one of the most rewarding parts
of being in the art community according to Pablo, seeing how much of a positive impact a simple
painting or drawing can have in someone’s life. While he might not pursue a career in this field,
if given the opportunity, Pablo would like to further expand his artistic abilities by taking art classes.
Art is a large part of Pablo’s life and will continue to be a part of his life as he progresses. He is
proud to be a part of the community as it gives him an outlet to relieve stress and do the activity
he has loved since fourth grade.