“Art means more than I can explain.  Art is another place I live in, where only I can go.  It’s one of the freest ways I can explore myself and show what I am.  Art isn’t about anything or anyone else. It is simply about my creation.  And to be able to create something entirely of myself is empowering to me.  If I can create something beautiful that others might like too, it’s just an added bonus,” said senior artist Dylan Siemens.

Siemens discovered his talent and passion for art at a very young age.

“I’ve always drawn.  When I lived in Colorado, we had an art class every week in elementary school, so even in school I was learning the extreme basics of art, and I loved it.   My grandpa and dad also taught me when I was young,” Siemens said.

For many years Siemens has drawn using traditional methods, many times just a pencil.  It’s been only recently that he has started to explore other mediums, especially in the field of painting.

“I’ve always just drawn in pencil and charcoal.  But this year, I’ve become a painter,” he said.

Siemens uses a variety of paints and ingredients in his art.

“I use very weird materials.  I use walnut oil (an organic cooking oil), Gesso (paint primer), acrylics and oils, charcoal powder mixed with walnut oil, and some colored pencil,” he said.

However, another important ingredient in his painting is his music.

“I always have music while I am painting. Music is just as big a part of me as art, and I use it to work with my paintings. I try and listen to the same music all the way through a piece, to always remind me of that awesome state where I am totally immersed into the painting. So music is just as vital to me, as art.  They work together,” said Siemens.

While he was no doubt born with some talent artistically, it has taken him years of hard work to get to the point he is at now.

“Like anything, people are born with natural talents.  And I definitely was when it came to drawing.  But to come to the place where you really understand what you are doing takes years and years of practice, and basics, like figure drawing or painting,” he said.

These years of practice weren’t easy.  Many of the projects he has committed to, have taken a great deal of time and effort to complete.

“If I only work in class, something can take me 2-4 weeks,” he said.

Aside from the time and effort involved, he’s had to persist through struggles just like anyone else.

“It actually happened with my last piece.  I loved it when I started.  But as I kept going, it got worse and worse to where I hardly wanted to look at it anymore.  And that is a part of art,” said Siemens, “You can’t always be consistent and produce awesome things all the time.  You will probably create more bad than good.”

In addition to exploring the idea of becoming a painter this year, he also got the chance to meet someone who has now become somewhat of a mentor to him.

“I am working with a professional artist right now named Megan Chapman. Her studio is at the Fayetteville Underground on the square. I met her this year and became obsessed with her abstract paintings. I talked to her, and after a few emails, I became her student. I meet with her once a week to paint and just talk together about art and life. It’s been a life-changing experience to become the student of your hero and to learn how they do things, and then go and try it on your own,” Siemens said.

While he has learned a lot and his artistic skill is undeniable, he believes that the hard work and training on his road to becoming an accomplished artist isn’t over yet.

“I have some talent.  But I’ve had to be taught a lot, and in college I will have to learn an incredible amount more,” he said.

But all of this hard work has paid off for him somewhat in competition.

“Last year I was involved in two competitions. All the competitions for this year are about to start up. At the AYAA (Arkansas Young Artist Association) Convention last year, I placed third in drawing. In the nationwide Congressional Art Competition, I placed second in our district,” said Siemens.

There’s really no telling where the future will take him.  Siemens hasn’t completely decided how he wants to use his talent.  However, he has several plans.

“My goal is to just keep painting. I’m going to double major in Vocal Education and Studio Art, and I always want to paint and make it a more or less,  part-time career after college. But painting is going to always be a passion of mine,” he said.

“Really, this year has been the most exciting year of my life when it comes to art. I’ve found out that I want to be an abstract painter. Meeting Megan and being opened to her paintings was a thrill. The first time I went and painted with her, learning the methods she uses, was one of the best days of my life,” said Siemens, “After I finished my first, full-size, canvas painting, I was the most ecstatic I’ve ever been after a painting and I was actually proud of myself.”