T hursday, colors came alive, and the spirit of Van Gogh was in the air at Andalusia Elementary School as a group of nine students participated in an art class taught by AES teacher Cathy Powell.

Students used acrylic paints and a variety of techniques to create their one-of-a-kind masterpiece in the style of Van Gogh’s still life portraits.

Powell, who took students through the steps of prepping the canvas to outlining one’s work to putting down color. Students used paint brushes and forks to create texture to their work.

“Believe it or not, using a fork gives depth to your painting,” Powell said. “Children are naturally creative and these classes are a way to bring that out. Everyone’s work is completely different, even though its subject matter is the same. Sure you use the same colors and paint the same flowers, but they’re all so different.”

As the class came to an end, excited “oohs” and “ahhs” filled the room as their creations took shape.

Attending the day’s class were Coleman Thompson, Everette Thompson, Anna-Christine McKinney, Annaline Fischer, Savannah Cotton, Olivia Lane Wise, Sissy Adams, Gracyon Martin and Emily Mixon.

The class was the first of four Powell said she plans to teach.

– Story and photos

by Stephanie Nelson