Thayer High School graduate Skyler Todd won the 8th District Congressional Art Competition with his acrylic painting of a rooster titled “Capri”. He had 2 paintings in the top 15- there was over 150 works submitted from the 8th district. Congressmen Jason Smith sponsored a reception in Rolla for the top 15 artists hosted by Rolla Arts Council.
Taken from house.gov “Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.
Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol. The winning artist from each district is invited to attend the awards ceremony. It is their first opportunity to see their artwork displaying in the Cannon Tunnel.”
Skyler’s Artist Statement:
“As an artist, I work both to work to impress both myself and others that view my artwork as it is. Before I start an artwork, I think about the process and the development of the painting and attempt to create a piece that resembles me as a person. This piece particularly represents the love and admiration I have for my home town. I come from a small town that is largely favored by the agricultural appreciation from the majority of our rural area.
With this being said, it has a large impact on my creativity and secondary appreciation for my artwork. I live on my grandparent’s ranch, where we have both farm animals and crops, including cattle, goats, horses, and chickens. This is where my inspiration for this piece came from.
I originally started this painting for my mother, Capri, as a Mother’s Day gift. She has been a massive support system for me through my process of growing as a man and as an artist. I have learned to accept the criticism and encouragement through my family and peers with grace because of her. This has both influenced and motivated the creation of my painting.
This painting, personally, has a lot of sentimental value to me. I believe that a majority of the nostalgia I feel when I was creating it came from my pet rooster, Bridgette. I rescued him from a slaughter house in Arkansas. He was very malnourished and in need of significant medical attention when I met him. After bringing him home, he immediately responded to the love and care my family gave him.
With this happening, it inspired me to create this painting, not only to show my work to others, but to tell a story that deeply affects me in a positive way. I put many hours into this piece and I am so proud of the way it turned out.
I hope that my painting has affected others as it has myself. The story behind it, I feel, resonates with many who come from rural America. It represents not only the legacy of my family, but the community, history, and pride of small town life that has had a heavy impact on who I am as a person.”
