Here's the Featured Young Artist interview for the website, her name is Noi Amar.
Interview continued from All About ArtHaus Volume 3 Issue 1, 2010.


What is your earliest art memory?
My earliest memory was of me during kindergarten trying to make my name out of small red square stickers on paper. I remember it because my teacher urged me to finish it as it was taking me quite a while but I really wanted it to come out perfect. Most of my art memories are from my elementary and middle school, where I took ceramics every day for almost 7 years. I was able to make big figure statues by 6th grade. Now that I think about it, I was always striving towards realism in my work, whether it was in ceramic, paintings or drawings.

What helped you to decide to go into to art as an elective at school?
I think it was something I clearly knew that I was going to have, not because I was required to do it, but because doing artistic things has been a part of my childhood and I knew I was going to take that art class and I knew I'm going to take that art class no matter what. However, my first art class during freshmen year was not what I expected it to be. Only when I got to my junior year in high school, taking IB art, was I able to develop my skills on my own without having to do specific projects anymore. It was sort of a relief to find out that this class was exactly what I wanted.

What kind of career are you hoping / planning for? Where are you going to get your degree?
I really want to be a civil engineer. I actually always wanted to be an architect and design things, but I thought about the fact that all architects are very creative and the field in itself is very competitive, so I decided to apply my skills in a different area which is civil engineering. I plan on getting my degree hopefully in the University of Florida, but first of all I plan on going to DSC for a year, so I can save money.

What was it like to have your art on exhibit at ArtHaus?
Having your pieces in an exhibit anywhere really makes you feel proud of what you've done. It's very different seeing my pieces on the wall, it's like a whole new look of what I've done. I'm very grateful to ArtHaus for giving me the opportunity to present some of my pieces there, and it's these little things that inspire an artist. Also, watching others while they are observing your pieces on the wall is very exciting and sometimes funny.

Who is your most admired artist?
My most admired artist is Josephine Wall. She has a passion for light and color, fantasy and visual story telling which clearly reflects her style in painting. Most of her paintings are fantasies. She seeks to make people escape their daily life experiences into the world of fantasy and surrealism, which is what makes me admire her so much. She's also my main inspiration and the style of the pieces I've been working on recently

Do you have any advice for young artists?
Yes, experience over studying. Like my teacher always said; your teachers are your guides in the beginning, but afterward you are better on your own. Keep experiencing and keep with what you do, if you give up too early, you might just miss the best thing in your life.

How would you describe your style or goal as an artist?
I do fantasy portraits combined with nature to create a composition of vivid colors, light, and texture. I found portraits to be a great vehicle to translate my thoughts and feelings. I have always liked doing realistic artworks and I believe they are best in portraying expressions. I've noticed that my work has become increasingly narrative and I no longer am satisfied with traditional work. I don't necessarily want to depict faces; I want nature and fantasy to be part of my work as well. I want the viewer's imagination to get active when they see my work, where my pieces make someone stop for few seconds and think about the meaning behind what I did, and what I tried to portray.

Who do you feel has helped you realize your artistic self?
My great grandfather was an amazing artist. He was my main inspiration throughout my childhood because I knew no one else in my family that was an artist. Unfortunately, I don't remember him, but his paintings are still on the walls in my grandmother's house. His paintings are the ones that actually made me take the first step in trying to paint something, so I think I owe much to him. Also, my teachers Mr. Bryson and Ms. Miles really pushed me towards where I am now; helping me become the artist I am today. The encouragements of my friends were a big help, supporting and challenging me through the years to reach my full potential.

How has being a part of your high schools art club benefited you as a student/artist?
Being the president of Art Club in my school was something I always wanted to be and finally, when I was elected to be one, I was very excited. Not only that, being able to help others and encourage them to show their talent and expand on it was something I really like doing. It's sort of an accomplishment for me. I've met a lot of great artists and people who really want to achieve something, it was refreshing. As a student, it really made me look at things in a different perspective, the meaning behind what the eye sees.

Me In Front Of My Stuff



Redhika



Crying Goldfish



Wonderland



The Beast Within



Desert Heat



Sunken Ship



Eclipse



Aurora



Discarded Memory



Paria



Noi recently opened a website, you should visit it.

www.noiamar.com