Fergeson a blue-ribbon-winning artist

Taking everyday items and turning them into works of art takes talent. Striving for perfection takes a lifetime of determination.

What most children do as a way to pass the time, has turned into one teenager’s ambition to be the best. WCHS sophomore Shanda Fergeson, 15, began painting so long ago that she just can’t remember when she started.

‘I’ve been painting as long as I can remember,’ said Fergeson. ‘I think I was born with it. I have a hunger to create. If I see something and it strikes me, I have to paint it. It satisfies me.’

The desire for painting has evolved into a longing for her work to be seen. To date, she has been in several Warren County A&L Fair art contests. This year, she entered three drawings. All three took first place and one of them also took Best in Show. Last year, she entered two and both won first place with one taking Best in Show.

As well as contests, her work has also made its way to local art shows. The Gangster Series, made up of five notorious gangsters, including Al Capone, ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly, ‘Lucky’ Luchiano, ‘Bugsy’ Seagal and Carlo Gambino, was on display at Capalano’s on Main Street. Recently she painted W.S. ‘Dad’ Lively on the Main Street Lively Building.

Fergeson uses several different means to capture just what she wants. For the Tony Soprano portrait, she used charcoal, carbon and graphite. On an Oliver Twist portrait, which also won first place in the 2007 fair, tea stain was used to make the finished product appear older.

One not tried, but on the list for a future attempt, is egg tempera. The egg tempera style of painting flourished during the 15th century. Several complicated steps are used in the layering process and the pigment is made up of egg yolk and other ingredients. The technique was also used by modern artists like Andrew Wyeth.

Born with it or not, Fergeson knows where she is going. After finishing high school, future plans are to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. As with most artists, travel will be included as her goal is to be an accomplished artist.

‘I want to move to different places and see the world,’ said Fergeson. ‘Like Europe and Asia. As long as I get to paint and do what I like while I’m alive, then I’m satisfied. Being famous isn’t important but I would like to be an accomplished artist someday.’

All the work done by her today will be placed in a portfolio that will help her get into art college tomorrow.