Don’t we all wish we could draw a face that wasn’t a circle with a few dots and lines? Of course! But sophomore Madison Cohen doesn’t have to wish that, because she can draw stunningly lifelike portraits. She says that “portraits are her favorite thing to draw.”

Madison, nicknamed Mad Dog by a friend, has been drawing since the 2nd grade. In the future, she hopes to find a career in teaching art to deaf children. Madison says that “sign language and art are both interests of mine, so why not do both at once?” Madison first developed an interest in sign language while watching a show called Switched At Birth, and it inspired her to want to learn sign language.

Madison takes Saturday art classes at The Creative Arts Inc. but “couldn’t take any art classes at school this year.” Those Saturday classes include “digital art classes and a traditional medium art class.”She claims that she doesn’t have a favorite piece of hers because “she is not at the highest level she can be at.” Each of her works includes the same signature, a mark that it’s hers.

Now a sophomore in high school, Madison has had some of her work featured in galleries at The Creative Arts Inc., as well as having her work on display in a few of her friends’ rooms. Jennifer Reid, a friend of Madison, says that “Madison works hard and loves what she does and it shows in her work.”

Madison’s favorite artist is Gerhard Richter, and is especially fond of his piece, The Woman Descending The Staircase. She likes this piece because “it just looks beautiful and I love the olden days and how they dressed.”

Although most of her pieces are done in charcoal and graphite, Madison also works with oils. 

The next step in Madison’s art journey is to attend college for art and pursue it as a full time career. Before college, she plans to take many more art classes to improve her skills and build up her portfolio.