She’s known for putting the ball in the back of the net on the soccer field, but what people may not know about senior Erika Badger is she has an artistic side. Badger’s intricate, lifelike drawings and paintings can be seen throughout the hallways of SHS, and it is well worth taking a moment in the hall to stop and admire them. Her attention to detail is impressive, and she can even add character to a simple drawing of an orange. Badger’s interest in art started in middle school, and once she started high school, she became hooked. Throughout her high school career she has taken a variety of art classes including, Drawing and Painting 1 and 2, Photo 1, Honors Art, and has just started taking Clay 1, and Honors Portfolio Drawing, Painting and Illustration.

“I love the feeling after I finish something I am really proud of, and it’s a way to get out some ideas that I think in my head onto paper,” said Badger. When it comes to art, Badger is extremely focused, and when a subject of her drawing really interests her, it pulls her in.

Badger has a talent for drawing realistic looking pictures, and she particularly likes drawing portraits. Her favorite artistic medium is pencil, because it allows her to make very realistic and exact drawings. But her skills are not limited to pencil: Badger has recently explored sculpture through the Clay 1 class she took this year. She says she likes making mugs and bowls out of clay since they are useful and functional.

“Her work is like her personality. She’s got a quiet, chill intensity about her,” said Ms. Hickey, who has Badger in art class now and has taught her in the past. Ms. Hickey said Badger can be a bit of a perfectionist, but she has a very open mind, and this is what makes her art great.

With Badger having just started some new art classes this term, the hallways will soon be filled with her newest creations for students and staff to admire. She also plans to continue creating art beyond high school, saying she might pursue a minor in art in college, so there should be much more to expect from this promising artist in the future.

Badger’s talent is noticeable and impressive. “Her skills are really diverse and I have a couple pieces of her art, and they are really good,” said sophomore Hannah Sheskey, who is a close friend of Badger’s.  Whether it is a close friend or simply a student walking down the hallway, all agree that when they see Badger’s artwork it is something to admire.