Superintendent’s Artist of the Week: Isabella Addison Dudhnath-Tacardon

Warwick Valley High School freshman Isabella Addison Dudhnath-Tacardon is a focused artist who finds joy in expressing herself through her paintings.

“I like art because I can demonstrate my feelings in a painting,” Isabella said.  “I’ve liked art ever since I was little. I used to draw all the time, then as I got older I started to get preoccupied by my increasing amount of school work. Recently I have started to get back into art again, and I realize that it brings me happiness.”

Isabella has produced quality art with great details in class, according to Studio Art II teacher Sunwha Gil. One of the class projects was to express the message of Martin Luther King Jr. in a painting. Isabella painted a white dove, representing peace, surrounded by words from Dr. King’s famous speeches.

Ms. Gil picked Isabella’s watercolor and colored pencil piece to be one of five works from the class that were submitted to the New York State Education Department’s exhibition in recognition of the life and teachings of Dr. King.

Isabella’s favorite school projects so far this year include a detailed watercolor and pencil painting of two koi and a colorful chalk and watercolor image of trees and clocks. Isabella also paints at home, where she has every type of art supply she needs.

Isabella’s favorite medium for painting is acrylics. She likes the smoothness of acrylic paint and the way bright colors really pop, and abstracts are her favorite subject. An artist she admires is Frida Kahlo.

“I am so proud of Isabella growing as an artist,” Ms. Gil said. “I have been amazed by her focus on creating great quality art. I enjoy her creations every day, and I can’t wait to see her next artwork.”

Isabella believes that art can benefit everyone, whether you’re an artist or a viewer.

“I really think others can benefit from art as well, whether it be by admiring or creating something,” Isabella said. “If you never try anything new, you’ll never know if you’re good at it, so maybe give art a try, or at least try to understand the beauty of it.”

Academically, Isabella enjoys math and Spanish and made the Cum Laude Honor Roll for the first marking period. She is also a sprinter on the WVHS indoor track team.