The Feather Featured Art series is chosen by art teacher Vickey Belmont from her classes and/or independent art students. Belmont picks the best work during current units and encourages students to participate in these occasional posts. Other students are encouraged to submit art pieces as well. Please contact the editors directly or via adviser Kori James for submissions.
Project Summary
Melody Ikawa, ’26, at Fresno Christian Schools was inspired by a poster she had seen during school to make a beautiful piece of art that displays the togetherness and love that America possesses.
This semester, our art students have been focusing on using black-and-white mediums to emphasize contrast, value, and emotion in their work. Ikawa’s drawing of the California 9/11 Memorial is an example of the emotional depth that can be achieved through simple materials like colored pencils. Her artwork captures the quiet strength of the memorial, using light and shadow to highlight the significance of remembrance and the impact of that day.
Even though Ikawa did not win the competition, she was awarded a certificate of participation from the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, in the contest which showcased her thoughtful approach to subject, matter and her mastery of colored pencil techniques make her piece a powerful tribute to those remembered at the California 9/11 Memorial.
The project encouraged students to study historical landmarks and translate their interpretations onto paper. They learned to use shading to create a sense of depth and texture, and Ikawa’s work really shows how careful and attention to detail she is. She used pencil to bring out the subtle contrast between the smooth marble walls and the engraved names, while the use of colored pencil allowed her to define the intricate patterns of light reflecting off the surfaces. The students studied not only the physical structure of the memorials but also the emotions tied to them, which Ikawa expressed beautifully.
To read more from The Feather, visit Feature Art – Scratch Board Art or New worship song features FC student
