With a light stoke of the pencil, the outline of a clock began to form. Junior Hallie Melinger was intent on her work, carefully measuring and making sure everything was up to scale. Art was always a meticulous process for her, and this latest sketch was no different.
Eventually her hard work was rewarded as her grandmother, who felt a connection to the piece, approached her and offered to buy her piece.
“She has it framed in her house right now,” Mellinger said.
Mellinger has been creating art since before she can remember. Taking after her mother who is an artist, Mellinger draws and paints. She says that her favorite type of art to create is landscapes.
“I’m really fascinated with nature and the way it works, and so being able to paint things like that, it just inspires me. I’ll go outside and be like, ‘ooh, I want to paint that’,” Mellinger said.
For two years, Mellinger has been in art teacher Caroline Hays’ class. During their time together, Mellinger has shown her dedication and talent, according to Hays, and that she is well respected in the class.
“I think one of her biggest assets is that she is always working to improve. She’s really motivated with her artwork,” Hays said.
Mellinger’s motivation is not only applied to her work in the classroom, but it also applies to all the projects she completes. She chooses to take her motivation and apply it to her life.
“We had [a small artist] come to the school and he did the mural in the library. I talked to him about my art and he wanted to look at it, and so I showed him and he told me to continue that as my career.” Mellinger said. “He was the one that motivated me to do graphic design. Before, I knew I wanted to do art as a career, but I didn’t know what.”
This event has become one of Mellinger’s favorite memories. Pursuing graphic design will allow Mellinger to continue to create art in a similar fashion to the way she does now.
“I want to do some sort of designing prints that would be on t-shirts or different clothing brands,” Mellinger said. “Another idea would be to do book covers, so I could design whatever the author wants. I’m open to anything, as long as it’s art.”
Mellinger’s passion for art allows her to complete creative projects. She chose to do some work outside of the classroom including some murals inspired by Keith Haring.
“Last year was kind of fun. When they were doing [construction at] the LGI and there was a big drywall tunnel, and she painted a whole bunch. She did this whole graffiti wall down the hallway and it was really cool,” Hays said.
Along with art, Mellinger also plays the cello in the NHS symphonic orchestra. She enjoys the music she gets to learn and has shown her leadership skills while helping younger musicians.
“My favorite thing about orchestra—I am a very emotional person, so I get really attached to the way pieces sound. I love playing it as a group and hearing the different melodies and harmonies,” Mellinger said.
During her time in orchestra, Mellinger has been able to get to know a variety of people, including senior Megan Rowley. The two girls met in orchestra when Mellinger was an incoming freshman.
“She is a wonderful cellist. She’s very musical and she always cares, not just about the notes and intonation, and putting emotion and feeling into the music,” Rowley said.
According to Rowley, Mellinger is a natural born leader and extremely kind. The skills she’s learned through her two mediums, Mellinger applies in her daily life.
“Both [art and cello] have taught me a lot of motivation to keep doing the things I love,” Mellinger said.
Mellinger’s favorite thing about art is having the ability to express herself. With every piece she makes, Mellinger hopes her art touches people’s hearts.
“I just want to inspire people to do their own art,” Mellinger said, “I want my own art to inspire other people to dive into the things they like.”
