2 minute read
Emali Jimenez Painting
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Emali Jiménez
BY ELSIE HUSOM
Winning an award at age four for her colorful shark drawing, Emali Jiménez launched her art journey. Ten years later, she is a “veteran” artist, although quick to say, “I am still practicing and learning.” Working mostly with acrylics on canvas, she gathers ideas from photographs and nature for her semi-realistic portraits and landscapes.
Painting gives Emali a feeling of joy, but her biggest challenge is artist’s block. Sketching trees from their wooded property and just “trying new things to get my brain going” can break that block.
Emali marvels how artist Bob Ross can “just slap some paint on a canvas and create landscapes in 20 minutes” — a process she has tried. She adopts his philosophy: “There are no mistakes, just happy little accidents.”
She credits art teacher Amanda Toft for “challenging me to venture out of my comfort zone” to try sculpture, watercolor and origami. Her most-liked assignment was writing a backstory about a sculpture, because “there’s a story behind every creation.”
“Don’t give up if something doesn’t turn out the way you want,” Jimenez advises evolving artists. “We learn from the process; mistakes are a part of our growth.”
This talented young artist’s journey is progressing well.
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1. A portrait done by 14-year-old artist Emali Jimenez.
2. Jimenez says painting gives her a feeling of joy.
3. Emali’s portraits are inspired by random photographs and usually incorporate flowers. 4. Emali Jimenez’s shark drawing was awarded a “Superior” rating at an AAA talent event when she was 4.
5. Emali Jiménez, daughter of
Francisco and Tracey Jiménez, is a freshman at Staples-Motley
High School where her favorite class is art.
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Elsie Husom is a retired education administrator who lives west of Brainerd. She enjoys golfing, reading, making art, gardening and volunteering at the Crow Wing County Jail, The Crossing Arts Alliance and Friends of the Brainerd Public Library.
