The Art of Miss Paige Riley

At 15, emerging artist Paige Riley has already sold paintings, participated in the Oliver Fall Art Show and Sale, had photos published and was the photographer of the ODN Hallowe’en banner last week.

Paige is home schooled and comes to my studio for art classes. Paige is learning technical basics to prepare her for entry to Emily Carr University of Art and Design, my Alma mater. The ODN Banner was a class project due on October 30th. This very busy teen completed her assignment a week early. Editor, Jack Bennest, gave her a choice of four subjects. She choose the Hallowe’en subject, went out and shot her ideas, asked Jack for the technical requirements, sized her photo, sent it off and there it was, the pumpkin banner with a tiny little girls bright pink boots and pants.

Paige gets assignments that are plucked from real work gigs to prepare her for the future. Choosing a career in the arts is not an easy road to success. A doctor graduates and works in a hospital, a mechanic in the local garage, but where do artists work after grad? Most of us have to create our gigs and are always looking for the next project. There are lots of artistic jobs and Paige is learning what they are and how to create or find them. By the time she is ready for her portfolio showing for entrance to ECUAD, her portfolio will be a strong diversified collection of fine art and commercial works that will lead to a successful career in the arts.

I learn a lot from Paige and look forward to nurturing her talent and stretching her creativity. May I suggest you buy her work now because with her determination, talent and work ethics she will go far !