Senior Nikki Eckland, wearing a heavy poncho in earth tones, talks with a childlike enthusiasm about her love of art.

She credits her mom in getting her started. “My mom went to graphic arts school when I was little,” and “started banishing all the things that make you think typically.” Like coloring books, for example. Unlike most children, Nikki didn’t have them until she was in 5th grade.

Instead, her mom shared a love for “cool art supplies.” Today walking into an art store is a momentous occasion for Nikki. Instead of trying to describe the feeling she gets, she just throws her arms in the air and sings a heavenly note.

When she was little, she carried a sketchbook around with her all the time. Her first drawings were of an animal zoo. “All these animals were behind bars, which today makes me sorta sad.”

When asked whether PR students should take an art class, she said, “Definitely,” describing the art room as as “its own little community.” And, if you don’t feel very artistic or think you don’t have time in your schedule, don’t let that stop you.

Nikki fits in art in between other AP classes, and when she looks back on her work from grade school, she describes it as “nothing special, under average even,” but credits hours and hours of practice with making her the talented artist she is today.

Now a senior in AP Art, she produces pieces that are a mixture of colored pencils, ink, and watercolor. Because they allow her to “achieve more texture,” Nikki says colored pencils are her favorite medium.

One of her favorite pieces is a drawing of her violin. This piece took her 40 hours to complete, and it reflects something else that’s important in her life: music.

She has studied violin since 5th grade. Currently, she participates in No Strings Attached, a group that has performed at lots of different venues like political meetings, funerals for soldiers, and even at Disneyworld. Getting to perform at Disney was a big motivator for Nikki, as her favorite artist is Glen Keane, an artist known for character animation on Disney movies such as Little Mermaid and, more recently, Tangled.

Another piece Nikki especially likes is of a yellow and red bird outlined in ink, perched on a woman’s hand, surrounded with spatter. She liked that “it was spontaneous,” saying that it took her just three days in class to complete.

In the future, Nikki plans to attend a four-year college minoring in art. Although she doesn’t believe she’ll pursue a career in art, she wants it always to be a part of her life. “Someday hopefully I’ll have a studio in my house.”