Sophomore and Artist of the Week Jacob Hooker is constantly expressing his artistic mind, crafting detailed drawings of fantastical creatures with his imagination. While his main artistic outlet involves traditional methods of pencil or marker drawing, Jacob is a multidisciplinary artist, dabbling in oil painting, sculpture, and even woodwork.
“I’ve been drawing for as long as I remember,” Jacob said. While Jacob long had a love for mythical creatures, receiving a “How to Draw Dragons” book in sixth grade allowed him to channel his love for these beasts in a way he was previously unable to do: on paper. Now, with a pencil and sketchbook always in hand, not even classes can intrude upon his passion. “You will rarely see me without a sketchbook,” he said.
His favorite things to draw? “Dragons, people, anything fantasy, really,” Jacob said. His love for fantasy doesn’t stop with art. From the homemade Dungeons & Dragons set that he plays with friends to the “How to Train Your Dragon” series, Jacob is fond of all things magical. While his heart lies with drawing non-human creatures, he is also fine-tuning his ability to draw people, in an effort to improve his anatomical sketches.
Drawing is not the only way Jacob demonstrates his artistic talent; alongside his family, he also participates in a bagpipe band. Additionally, Jacob, seeking to expand his vast artistic palette, experiments in woodworking, sculpture, and oil painting. His art varies in terms of medium and methods, though Jacob “[prefers] doing [his] art traditionally,” where a simple pencil or pen is all he needs to convey his creativity.
One of Jacob’s favorite pieces to date has been the Grid Self-Portrait, which he completed during Global Studies: Visual Arts last spring. “Even though it was for a class, and isn't in the style/genre I typically do, I’m stunned at the realism I was able to achieve,” he said. Last year, the black-and-white portrait hung on the fourth floor alongside his classmates’ work; now, the piece is stored where it truly belongs: proudly, on Jacob’s bedroom wall.
Looking at Jacob’s sketchbook, it’s difficult not to be impressed by the plethora of lifelike work. Jacob’s art, after all, is a mere reflection of his fantasy-filled, creative mind.
