Student - Athlete Has Painting Honored

STUDENT-ATHLETE Honored HAS PAINTING

by Steve Gamel | photos courtesy of Lanie Schantz

Lanie Schantz is used to filling her day with volleyball, school, family time, fun with friends, and staying active in other projects. So it stands to reason that when Lanie found herself in quarantine at the tail end of last school year, she had more free time on her hands than she knew what to do with.

That’s when something magical happened. She glanced over one day, remembering that she had a large blank canvas in her room that was screaming to be painted on. All Lanie needed to do was pick up a brush.

“I kept painting and painting and painting until I liked it,” the Lake Dallas senior said with a laugh.

The result was a painting called “Through the Chaos,” which depicts how making art helps counterbalance the stress of life as a busy student-athlete. Not only was it the perfect addition to Lanie’s budding portfolio, but to her surprise, the painting received state recognition. The artwork was recently displayed at the annual TASA/TASB Convention held from September 30 through October 2. The event was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each year, the Texas Association of School Administrators and Texas Association of School Boards host a joint convention for school administrators and school board members from across the state.

It’s a chance to provide attendees an opportunity to grow through education, exhibits, networking, and idea-sharing.

Lanie’s artwork was submitted by her AP art teacher and was presented by the Texas Art Education Association.

“My AP art teacher told me, ‘Hey, if you want to put up one of your pieces, you’d be perfect for this,’” Lanie said. “Next thing I know, she’s putting it out there for everyone to see. It was really cool. I was very honored.”

Lanie said she really didn’t take an interest in art until she was in the eighth grade, though she’s always had that creative side. Her mother is an interior decorator, and one of her older brothers has been known to have an artsy mind. Inspired by that, Lanie took several art classes in eighth and ninth grade and was in AP art class by her junior year.

“All I knew was that I have a very busy life,” Lanie said. “My art teacher said to use that as inspiration. I didn’t know how to do that at first, but it all came to life as I started painting.”

“I was going through some artist block for a while there and really didn’t know which direction I’d go with this particular painting. All I knew was that I have a very busy life,” Lanie said. “My art teacher said to use that as inspiration. I didn’t know how to do that at first, but it all came to life as I started painting.”

To date, Lanie has been commissioned to create roughly eight paintings for residential and commercial use, including several for her two older brothers. Her brothers are currently living on their own and eagerly wanted to dress up their bland apartment walls with something from their sister.

She’s unsure if she wants to make this a full-time career, but anything is possible.

“I always envisioned going to college and majoring in something with apparel. But I can totally see doing something like this as a side gig. It really is fun,” Lanie said.