A Barrington High School student’s art work will be entered into a national show sponsored by the AP College Board. 

Alison “Ajax” Holmer created a piece titled “Acceptance” that received rave reviews. It earned Holmer a spot in the national show — just 50 students are selected from last year’s 80,000 Advanced Placement 2D Design students nationwide. Holmer said earning an invitation to the national art show was completely unexpected. 

“I really can't describe how much I was not expecting this,” Holmer said. “Fifty out of 80,000 are almost impossible odds, and yet I made it!”

Barrington Times: How long have you had an interest in art?

Holmer: “Over a decade! I've been drawing since I was old enough to hold a crayon, but I was in elementary school when I started really engaging with art and tried to actively improve my skills. Ever since, it's been my lifeblood. I can't imagine my world without it.”

BT: What medium is your favorite?

Holmer: “It's hard to pick one, but if I had to choose, it's a tie between digital art and colored pencil. The former has been a long-time favorite of mine for illustration and poster design, while the former is something I've recently come to enjoy after using it so often in my AP 2-D portfolio.”

BT: How often do you paint or draw — daily? weekly?

Holmer: “Unless I have a lot of schoolwork or life gets in the way, I draw daily. If I'm not working on a bigger piece, I typically doodle in my sketchbook or do loose studies of anatomy, objects, etc. Inspiration comes and goes, but it's hard for me to stay away from my art for very long.”

BT: How many hours did you put into the piece (and the process work)?

Holmer: “Oh boy. I can't remember exactly, but I'm estimating the process work for ‘Acceptance’ took eight or ten hours? That may sound like overkill for planning, but a page of thumbnail sketches, three pages of fully colored studies, and a page for a test piece is a tall order. ‘Acceptance’ itself took about nine hours to sketch, ink, color, and complete. Art takes time!”

BT: What do you like best about art?

Holmer: “For me, it's the act of creating something that didn't exist before. It's being able to picture an image in your mind and bring it to reality in front of you. There's something really, really fulfilling in knowing that you brought something new into this world, and it all came from your brain.”

BT: Were you surprised to learn that your piece was selected for the national show sponsored by the AP College Board?

Holmer: “Yes. I really can't describe how much I was not expecting this. Fifty out of 80,000 are almost impossible odds, and yet I made it! I am beyond honored, and I am so, so, so grateful to Mrs. Lindenburg, my AP art classmates, and my wonderful friends who've supported me thus far. I wouldn't have been able to do this without them. If you're reading this, thank you!”

BT: What does the future hold for you? Will art play a role in your future?

Holmer: “Without a doubt. I already made up my mind in freshman year that I was going to attend an art school when I graduated. And the honor that I've received for ‘Acceptance’ really feels like a confirmation that I can and I should go down that path. I've applied to several art institutions for a Bachelor's degree in illustration, and I've already received some decisions back. I'm really excited to start this new chapter of my life and to see where my art journey will take me next.”

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