“I was pretty much born with a paintbrush in my hand,” said Brooke Shull, a junior at Bridgeport High School.  Her unconventional painting, “Selfie,” just earned her a spot at the Parkersburg Youth Art Month, where it will be on display from February 6-April 3.  At that point, it will be moved to Charleston for the Arts Alive event, showcasing the talents of this local artist among the best of the best in West Virginia. Additionally, Shull’s work was chosen for the Congressional Art Competition in Charleston.

 

Shull was also offered a $4000 scholarship for her painting, “Eve.”  The piece features actual snakeskin as one of the mediums and is meant to make the observer uncomfortable.  “People are generally uncomfortable talking about religion and snakes.  I have done a series of paintings that feature both and are intended to represent rebellion and encourage people to embrace their imperfections.” 

 

Taking Advanced Placement Art at Lincoln High School has been vital to helping Shull grow as an artist.  “I am pushed to explore new challenges and that makes me a better artist,” said Shull.  Carolyn Light, the art instructor at Lincoln agrees.  “Brooke’s art is exemplary!  She creates artwork that pushes the boundaries of materials and subject matter and I am extremely proud of her.”

 

“I am my own model for many of my works,” said Shull.  My series of paintings that feature Adam and Eve are designed to capture the transformation of the two of them, tackling issues with temptation and not conforming.  “Selfie” is based on me making a weird face and then using acrylic paint to enhance the features in a unique way.”  Shull is thrilled with being selected to have her paintings on display in the Youth Art Month and Arts Alive and hopes to continue her art education at Marshall University after graduating from BHS. 

 

“ I come from a long line of artists,” said Shull.  “My grandmother is an artist and my mother is an incredible painter who has influenced me and encouraged me along the way.”  As her talent progressed, she has grown from being a very structured artist to allowing herself to simply get lost in the piece, as it takes on a life of its own.  “I have always been an little different and I like that about me,” said Shull, who enjoys learning about the process of the body and applying them to her art.  “Our family has 15 snakes and watching them inspires me as well, as evidenced in the snake skin integrated in “Eve.”

 

The energetic teen says that her inability to focus on any one thing has been a gift, allowing her to channel her emotions into her art and creative pieces unlike any others.  “I look forward to growing as an artist and seeing how it can be used to used to help others as I go into Art Therapy at Marshall.”