Dylan on Dylan: I paint best when I’m in a quiet environment because it helps me concentrate on tiny details that make my art look more realistic. Anything with a unique look about it inspires me to draw because I want to remember something the way I saw it — by drawing it myself. A painting for me always starts with outlines consisting of straight lines, which was a problem for my nature paintings, which have many imperfections that make them beautiful. This style reflected my personality. However, I would always try to make things perfect and straight, but through much practice and lessons from an amazing teacher, Jun Tian, I’ve learned to allow imperfections, to skew lines in my art and to be less worried about making mistakes. I began sketching when I was very young and what once was a hobby of drawing cars and airplanes became a learning experience for me to expand my taste for art and to learn from the mistakes I make.

On Exhibit features high school artists from the Tampa Bay area. Click on the 'art' tab to see more work by this and other artists. If you know a high school student we should consider spotlighting (including yourself), please send the name, school, art medium and contact information to tbtwostaff@gmail.com. Put “on exhibit” in the subject line.