Drawing Conclusions - A look into The Biological Illustration stand at GIV 2019

Definitions ~ a reference in the context of this piece Strand - Extended workshop of choice, applied for with specificity by participants, which provides a group and focus to return back to while at GIV (2/9-2/10 2019 weekend included the following: Microcontrollers, Backpack Journalism, Biological Illustration, Youth Leadership, and Directing Theatre). Side Hustle - a personal passion, toeing the line of hobby and interest, that is just for you and functions as a source of excitement GIV - the Governor’s Institute of Vermont, a program with gathers, works with and celebrates young people in the context of their interests. This is achieved through strands and both winter weekends as well as summer institutes throughout the year. Flow - the state in which all portions of the brain, Neocortex, Limbic, and Reptilian, are activated and engaged in the task at hand to the extent of joyful losing track of time

Drawing Conclusions - A look into The Biological Illustration stand at GIV 2019

An extrapolated mission statement:

Biological Illustration at GIV aims to provide a platform to exercise, develop, and stretch artistic skills for young people willing to step outside of their comfort zones and into learning environments with intention. This interplays compellingly with student experience of school and respective side hustles. The contrast here is that of the environment. School represents a wide variety of interests and communities, or lack thereof - at least in aspects

The start of a deer skull drawing (photo credit: Mei Elander)

which are visible - which is conducive to frustrating complacency. The strand is a phenomenon familiar to many, constituting a significant draw towards programs like GIV. The difference here is congregation and celebration of shared interests, which is both inspiring and refreshing.

Stepping into the Biological Illustration classroom is like entering a whole new world; the calm, Tolkien-themed music flows through the room peacefully as the students quietly converse, low chatter filling the room. The young illustrator's hunch over their work eagerly, rarely looking up. Their fingers flit and fly over the paper, producing, what one might say, magic. Finally, looking down a series of densities, textures, and dimensions pop out at you, it’s as if you’re seeing the piece of nature. What is it? It’s biological illustration.

Avery Motyka working on a shell in biological illustration

(photo credit: Helena Raddock)

Biological Illustration brings the aspect of science into drawing: it’s all about creating the most realistic image possible. Jordan Parenteau, a 10th grader, said that the first day they walked in and there were shells everywhere. Cynthia Moulton, the biologic illustration instructor of the weekend and biology professor, said that the students only drew with pencil, first drawing blind contours of shells. A blind contour is for a limited amount of time, as short as 60 seconds. The pencil must always stay on the paper and you may only look at the shell itself. She went on to say that they all drew the same species of shell, but they tried to do it as accurately as possible so the drawing could be easily identified as what shell it was. Cynthia ’s mantra, as told by several students was, “just draw what you see”

Saturday morning, February 9th, finds young illustrators continuing to draw shells with accuracy and proportionality using pencils and pens of extensive diversity.

A collage of several students illustrations (Photo credit: Mei Elander)

As Jorden Parenteau explains, “I’ve learned from Kelsey Parenteau, ( a TA (teacher assistant) at GIV) who said to look at all the shapes within the animal, and break the animal down into different shapes.” Cynthia ’s overall goal for these “little Picassos”  is illustrated in her statement, “a lot of times people want to fill in the piece with details from their memory I tell people not to use memory or expectations but instead focus on looking and observing and translate the actual specimen onto page.” but more importantly, she adds, to just take risks and know it doesn’t have to be perfect the first time, letting go of pieces that aren’t working.

Our biological illustration team (Picture credit: Mei Elander)

Reflecting on their experiences here, artists Sam Valin and Giselle Rainville muse about the peaceful, flow-like environment they have been able to explore their art in. In contrast with other experiences of art class, Valin describes a marked difference in surroundings, favor GIV’s encouraging, focused, and autonomous nature. He explains that working with so many talented people has provided an exciting push towards new styles and techniques and connections with other emerging artists. Rainville considers discrepancies between her time at the Governor’s Institute of the Arts and the winter weekend. She reflects on the value of time constraints - of the weekend’s length when compared to a full institute - both within the classroom and without in areas of bonding in addition to the similar vibe of support noticed in both art spaces. As the weekend comes to a close, it is important to consider the relevance of honoring and promoting involvement in programs such as and similar to GIV. It is especially important, in a culture predominated by apathy and favored towards efforts of business or STEM fields, to acknowledge and lift up creative expression. This creative expression, effectively set by GIV’s Biological Illustration strand, is one to appreciate and follow.

A rodent skull being drawn in class (Picture credit: Noelani Rupp)

BIOS

Noelani is most likely found writing, reading, or talking, playing with words really, she is curious about new ideas and perspectives, and would also like to - one day - spin around in a large wheelie chair and announce, “I’ve been expecting you”.

Mei is a freshman at Enosburg Falls High school she decided to join the program to expand her horizons and opportunities in regard to writing.

Helena is a junior at Vermont Commons School; she spends her time on the student council, as well as volunteering at the Warren Library and the Valley Animal Hospital.