Johanna Ochs: Blog https://johannaochs.zenfolio.com/blog en-us Johanna Ochs [email protected] (Johanna Ochs) Mon, 16 Mar 2020 06:22:00 GMT Mon, 16 Mar 2020 06:22:00 GMT https://johannaochs.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-12/u1016795762-o886730772-50.jpg Johanna Ochs: Blog https://johannaochs.zenfolio.com/blog 120 64 Featured Artist of the Month, Makayla Marin https://johannaochs.zenfolio.com/blog/2012/4/featured-artist-of-the-month A few weeks back I decided to open an Art contest for kids, ages ranging from 1 to 10. Anyone who has any kind of passion or creativity, in my opinion, should love looking at kid's art. Kid's minds aren't restricted by technique or teacher's critiques, like what happens when you go to college. Their imaginations are rich and vibrant with colors, ideas and fantasy. They draw from the heart; mostly out of love, or happiness, or just to be expressive. They never over think, they just create. I sometimes wish I still had the imagination of a child and didn't care what other people thought of my work. When you get to be an adult, your mind takes over your heart; as a child your heart comes first. We as adults, tend to forget what it means to be a child and to be able to express ourselves freely.

I didn't get quite the response I was hoping for, but what was entered into the contest made my heart sing. I had three entries. Very creative and unique, and very much from the heart.

The contest was judged by Reagan Baldwin, a spunky and creative outgoing 13 year old. She is full of life and has an amazing heart. She understands what it means to have passion and to love life. She ended up choosing Makayla Marin.

 

"I liked it because it shows how she sees life! Big and full of wonders!", Reagan said.

 

I had the opportunity to send Makayla some questions for her parents to ask her. :) The answers were super cute and just made my night! I love when kids speak art. It's wonderful!

 

INTERVIEW with Makayla Marin, AGE 8

 

Q:   Makayla, what is the name of your art piece?

 

Makayla:  "Free at last"

 

Q: What does the piece mean? Does it have special meaning for you?

 

Makayla:  "Being in the fresh air and breeze~reminds me on my times in Arkansas at my grandparents house with lots of space to run free"

 

Q:  Why do you like art?

 

Makayla:  "It makes me feel good to use my imagination and express myself."

 

Q:  What if the world didn't have any art? How would you feel? Why?

 

Makayla:  "I would feel alone and I think I would still create art because it is inside me even if I had to hide it."

 

Q: What is your favorite kind of art; painting, clay, drawing etc?

 

Makayla: "painting and drawing"

 

Q: What is your favorite color? Why?

 

Makayla: "Blue, because it reminds me of the sky and reminds me of my Grandmama that is above the sky in heaven."

 

Q: If someone was blind and couldn't see art, how would you describe art to them?

 

Makayla: "I would describe what is in the picture and the vivid colors, or if a piece of art like I would describe the colors and let them feel the art."

 

Q:  Are you working on any art right now? What is it?

 

Makayla: "I am always working on art, right now I am drawing a little girl and boy together. It is about trusting your brother or sister and staying with them and staying together to stay safe."

 

Q:  Do you have a favorite artist?

 

Makayla:  "My Daddy inspires me to draw and be artistic because he is and my Mommy encourages me."


Q: When you aren't creating art what else do you like to do?

 

Makayla: "I like to have some time with my bffs Hailey, Sariah and Natalie, ride my scooter and spend time with my family."

 

 

 

Makayla will receive an award and small prize package for winning the competition. :) And if you get a moment leave a comment and let me know you stopped by! Would love to hear from you! :)

 

Special thanks to the other kids who entered, Brayden and Haidon. Their work was truly amazing!

Special Thanks to Reagan Baldwin for being my judge and for the parents who participated and uploaded the works of art to be entered.

 

 


                                                                                  Makalya Marin, "Free at Last"

]]> [email protected] (Johanna Ochs) https://johannaochs.zenfolio.com/blog/2012/4/featured-artist-of-the-month Sat, 07 Apr 2012 00:43:00 GMT Gypsy child https://johannaochs.zenfolio.com/blog/2012/3/gypsy-child After many life changes over the past few years, my heart has traveled quite a bit. The world seems so big, yet so small that at times you feel you are suffocating.

I get restless, unable to sit still, unable to calm the pounding of my heart. I always told myself being different is a good thing. I will not 'sell' myself as a photographer. I am an artist. I see the world as art. Every moment captured is in essence like capturing a painting to be cherished for all times. Beauty is everywhere if you just stop and look. I see beauty in broken windows, run down buildings, reflections; all of it tells a story. Most of us are just too busy to listen. I have been away traveling quite a bit this month, learned a lot, listened a lot, and for the first time in a long time, I sat still. I felt shut down inside. I became this doll that only spoke when the string was pulled. In that time of silence, I saw more, I listened more, I felt more, I cherished more, I appreciated more, and I heard God.

Sometimes in silence we feel we lose more than we gain.

I do know that the direction of my life is changing and that the key is inside of me. It always has been. God just gave me the door to open it. The key is called faith...no matter who or what you believe in--faith will always be the key.

]]> [email protected] (Johanna Ochs) https://johannaochs.zenfolio.com/blog/2012/3/gypsy-child Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:29:41 GMT