Passionate art student ‘honoured’ to paint community centre mural and put smiles on faces
A passionate student says she was “honoured” to paint a community centre’s mural and put smiles on faces with her artwork.
Sophie Rayner is a year 13 student at Moulton School and was chosen to create the display after some of her previous work was admired.
The 17-year-old says she has always enjoyed art and loves to find new ways to be creative, which is why she was eager to take on this project as she had never painted on glass before.
“I really like to experiment and use my art to connect with others,” said Sophie, who achieved the highest possible grade nine when she studied the subject at GCSE.
“Art helps you express yourself and your emotions, and make other people happy.”
Sophie put together three different designs for the community centre and library staff to choose from – all of which incorporated books, autumn and winter animals, and the whimsical feeling of reading.
After the staff admired the flying leaves on a poetry competition poster that Sophie previously created, they knew she was the perfect person for the job.
“I was so honoured to be asked,” said Sophie. “While I was painting, the atmosphere was lovely and the librarians were so welcoming.”
As members of the public watched on, admired her work and asked questions, Sophie added that she was “happy to make people’s day”.
She was “so happy” with the final outcome, especially as this was her first time painting on glass and she was not fully confident in how it would turn out.
Looking to the future of her artwork, Sophie knows that she wants this creative outlet to be part of her life in one way or another.
She is looking to start a graphic design course at university and with the rise of technology, Sophie knows the importance of digital art in these modern times.