Art Student of the Week: ReyLynn Killinger

Although ReyLynn Killinger specializes in beautifully drafted, intricate graphite portraits, the Niwot High School senior gets especially excited when she talks about her work as a make-up artist. "I am completely self-taught," Killinger explained, "and it's important to me, because I feel like it's an extension of my art. Other people can see it. I walk around and it's on me. It's a part of me."

She has also explored creating prom make-up and face paint art on a few people but, Killinger is quick to add, "Mostly it's just me. I like it to be a me thing."

Crystal Hinds, Art Educator at Niwot High School, selected ReyLynn as Arts Student of the Week. "ReyLynn has been a focused art student since her freshman year here at Niwot," Hinds said. "She began her career with three art classes in the first semester. Though she sometimes struggled, she remains dedicated to each class as well as her academic studies."

So far, Killinger has completed courses in 3D Design, Beginning Sculpture, Fashion Design, Beginning and Intermediate Ceramics, Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Painting, Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Drawing and IB Art. "I've taken pretty much every drawing and painting class that they have there," Killinger said.

Art has been a part of her life for many years. "I had already been naturally drawn to it," Killinger said. "As a kid, I was the one going to my mom's Paint and Sip Studio things. I fell in love with making art, as well as creating visual art. It just kind of came to me."

A student at NHS all four of her high school years, Killinger has blossomed as an artist there. "I've always been the girl who does art. I've been the one who's not really paying attention because she's drawing in her sketchbooks, but I found, since I've improved, people have looked at me in a different way because of it. People have always known me for my art. But as I've gotten better, it's been more of, not 'the girl who does art,' but 'the girl who's good at art--the artist.' And I really appreciate that positive shift."

When describing her style, Killinger considers herself a realist who incorporates symbols into her work. "I like to do things that are very recognizable. Realism is very timeless to me, so I would say I create art that you would expect from someone from a very old time... a very timeless sense of art. It's realism, but it's all about me. I do a lot of self-portraiture, and I make it inspired by very classical themes."

Her art has been influenced by Roberto Ferri, an Italian artist who is deeply inspired by Baroque painters and other old masters of Romanticism. But when she talks about her influences, Killinger admits they have mostly been her friends at NHS.

"I'm friends with a lot of artists. My friends Ruby, Hayden, and Nick–we're all very good artists but we all do very different things. I feel like when you talk to them about art, they have a lot of suggestions. And they come at it from a perspective of knowing what your art looks like, and that really inspires me."

Hinds has been impressed with Killinger's relationship with her other classmates. "ReyLynn has shown empathy and care towards her peers through assistance and peer teaching. She is always willing to help someone out if she can."

Recently, Killinger had a portfolio review at the Art Institute of Chicago where she plans to study art history. She has been recommended for a merit scholarship.

"I need consistency and security," Killinger said, "so I don't know if I want to be an artist full-time. But I plan on going to the Art Institute of Chicago and being an art history major. So I can be a curator or an archivist." Sometime in the next two weeks she will learn whether she has been admitted. In the meantime, when she is not studying and creating art, Killinger works as a barista for Ziggy's in Longmont. "I am a very hard worker. I love having a job," she said.

Killinger has explored a variety of artistic media, including ceramics. Last year she also volunteered to help create the NHS mural for the outdoor classroom, a landscape with mountains and columbines and other images of Colorado. "I was in the same class as the seniors who were in charge of it," she said. "They really needed help from other art students, and I was happy to be a part of it."