With a paintbrush in one hand and a camera around her neck, Sam Yorgensen is not your average high school student.
A self-described artist, Yorgensen, sr., has taken nearly all the art classes Kennedy has to offer and plans to continue her art career in college.
Yorgensen got an early start in art when she was just 12. “I took some art classes at Barbs Fine Art in Marion and after that she just opened me up to exploring art,” Yorgensen said. Seven years later, Yorgensen won Kennedy’s Showcase of the Stars with a painting that she entered.
As for types of art, Yorgensen likes almost all forms. “Photography is my favorite form of art and I’d have to say painting is a close second,” Yorgensen said. Yorgensen has completed every single art class Kennedy has to offer, except for ceramics; currently she is taking AP Art.
“In AP art we put together an art portfolio for the end of the year and we just work on that throughout the whole year. We maybe do some power points on artists too,” Yorgensen said
Yorgensen’s favorite artist is a painter named Thomas Kinkade. Kinkade is perhaps one of the most famous American artists still alive today. It is estimated that one of every 20 homes in America has some form of Kinkade’s art. “Thomas Kinkade is one of my favorite artists. He had an art gallery in Lindale Mall I and I walked through there a lot,” Yorgensen said.
With so much talent, it may be an easy to assume that Yorgensen’s parents are both artists, but that’s not exactly true. “My dad did art in high school and I think that’s where I must have got my passion from,” Yorgensen said.
Although her parents aren’t artists they both support her art. “They [Yorgensen’s parents] always cheer me on and give me constructive criticism on my pieces,” Yorgensen said.
Yorgensen plans to go to the University of Northern Iowa for photography and graphic design. “Someday I hope to open my own photography studio,” Yorgensen said.
MICHAEL NORDSTROM
