Art student shows little is sketchy

By Bridget Brady
MICHELLE Molinari has pencilled in a place in the prestigious VCE Top Arts exhibition.
The Year 12 Cranbourne student’s work was one of 70 selections chosen from a field of 2000 VCE student entries.
Ms Molinari, 17, said she was extremely excited when she found out her drawing, titled Self Portrait of a Geisha, was accepted.
“I was so, so excited when I got told it was accepted,” she said.
“I submitted two pieces and both got short-listed and one accepted … it was very nice to hear.”
The St Peter’s College student dressed up as a Geisha and drew her piece from a photograph that was taken of her.
“It’s always challenging to draw yourself because it’s hard to try to portray the real likeness.
“Basically you have to look at it subjectively and focus on tone and shape.”
The intricate pencil detail in theportrait meant it took about two and ahalf months to complete.
All successful Top Arts entries will be exhibited at Federation Square in Melbourne from late March until the middle of June.
Top Arts, which exhibits the best work from VCE art students, was always a goal of Ms Molinari’s.
The Langwarrin resident said orientalism was the topic of her art folio, which is how she came to make a Geisha the subject of her self-portrait.
“I focused on the influence of Asian art on westernised culture. With the piece I wanted to represent the influences that western culture and Japanese culture have had on one other.”
Ms Molinari’s love for drawing and painting emerged at a young age, but she said she had no idea where her artistic talents came from.
“None of my parents or grandparents are very artistic … it is a bit of a random thing.”
Along with pencil work, Ms Molinari said she loved painting.
“I love both equally. But drawing is more accessible … you can do it anywhere.”
But home is the perfect place to exercise her talents, because Ms Molinari has converted the garage into an art studio.
She plans to complete a masters in fine arts at university, and make her art work her life.
“It is very daunting and a very hard career to get into. It is very selective and there can be so many rejections.”
But the young artist is off to a good start.