Becton’s Art Department proudly recognizes Aili Tutschek as September’s Artist of the Month!
Artist of the Month is an award given by art teachers to a student that meets the requirement of extortionary attention and skill in artwork. According to Tutschek’s Cultural Arts teacher, Mr. Donovan, “We look for technical skills in creating art as well as time management in class and commitment to coming in outside of class to finish projects when necessary. Being good at one type of art helps, but there’s a lot to be said for time management and being willing to go above and beyond the time in class to create something interesting.”
Mr. Donovan chose Tutschek as Artist of the Month because of her dedication to completing projects at a high level. In further detail, Mr. Donovan states, “This early in the year, it’s hard to say that students have improved a lot or have changed, so I was looking for a student artist who entered the school year ready to work and dedicated to creating great art.” He continues, “Aili is a great artist because she is so dedicated to making her projects the way she wants them to be. After making a sketch or design, Aili will work on her art until it is done, often coming in during lunch to continue working. She is set on making sure her work is complete and up to her standards.”
Mr. Donovan describes Tutschek’s art style as “deliberate and intentional.” She puts a lot of time and effort into planning her projects before she makes them and often has a specific plan for how she wants to create her work. This guides her as she works, and sheconstantly checks her progress against her plan to ensure that she doesn’t get lost.
At Becton, Tutschek has taken every art class she could– Art 1 and Art 2, and currently, Cultural Art 1. Yet, Tutschek was still amazed when she found out she had won from her Cultural Art teacher, Mr. Donovan. She remarks, “I never really imagined I would ever attain the award. In general, I do art just to have fun. Art is a way to spark conversation and join new and inviting communities for me, but I’ve never seen it as a way to get awards. Though, I greatly appreciate it.”
Art has always been an important part of Tutschek’s life. Both of her parents went to school for art, and while their careers were vastly different in terms of art, it has always been something that Tutschek sees on a day-to-day basis. Her mother went to school to be a director, and her father went to school to develop skills like set building. Clearly, being able to grow up in such a creative household helped build her passion for the arts.
According Tutschek, “Recently, I feel I am most proud of my Ojo De Dios project which is currently on display in the school. Though it is my most recent piece, the meaning behind it is what makes me personally the most proud. An Ojo De Dios is typically made as a prayer talisman to protect children during their first 5 years of life. While mine is not made for traditional reasoning, it is still something important to me. With the continued escalation of the war in Ukraine, Russia has begun to seek further expansion of invasion into the Baltic. Åland, where my family is from and some still reside, is an archipelago located in the Baltic. So in short terms, I made my Ojo a prayer for my family and the people of Åland in the hopes of their continued safety and protection of their land.”
Furthermore, Tutschek shares about her other favorite pieces, “I think my favorite piece of art I’ve created so far was my rendition of “Girl With a Pearl Earring” for AP European History. Trying to put yourself into such an iconic piece of art is very tricky, and while I don’t think I did it the most justice, it was still an enjoyable experience and it was a very fun way to step out of my comfort zone with art.”
Tutschek’s passion for art holds strong, “I have been taking art classes even since I began school. Art class has always been my safe space and place of creative green in school, as I don’t see myself as the best creative writer. The biggest thing I’ve learned in my art classes was to simply be myself. Art is such a strong way to express yourself, and there isn’t a wrong or right way to do it. Art is all about sparking emotions and conversation. That’s what I love so much about it.”
As for her future, Tutschek’s goal is to become a doctor, potentially a psychiatrist, though plans are always changing. Although, her art journey will forever continue, “Even so, art is always going to be part of me and something I continue to explore. I find it unlikely to be a career I pursue, not because I don’t love it, but because I don’t want to fall out of love with it because it is my job. I want it to always be something I can just sit down and have fun with.”
Congratulations September Artist of the Month, Aili Tutschek!
