The sky is the limit for budding Bath County artist

Most people spend years trying to discover natural or hidden talents.

But for Ceirra Evans, a love for art showed up at a very early age and being an artist has become her life’s passion.

“I’ve always known since I was younger that I’ve had an artistic urge or pulse inside of me,” Evans said. “When I was little and in Mr. Riley’s art class, I can remember trying to stand out with whatever project he gave us. There was one time that I was very excited to go with my sisters to a concert featuring All Time Low. I was eight years old and I drew the first portrait ever of the lead singer. I was excited beyond belief because it actually looked like the singer,” she said.

Evans, who grew up in rural Bath County and will be a senior this fall, said she taught herself to paint and draw.

“I’ve always been a self taught artist. I never had any lessons or specialized teachers. During my freshmen year was the first art class I had taken since the mandatory art classes I had at Owingsville Elementary. While in Art-I, Mrs. Debbie Highley really helped me to believe that I could be a true artist. She never told me that I was good. She gave me tips in the areas that I needed. She was the first person to actually criticize me in my work instead of exclaiming that I’m a great artist. This is where I was really able to see that I had talent and means for progression in my work,” Evans said.

Evans has won many awards for her work and has entered several different contests throughout the years and has recently been accepted into the Governor’s Art Scholar Program.

“I was excited to get first place for my painting that I entered in the Maysville Community College Art Show when I was a sophomore and first place for a portrait I entered in the Mt. Sterling Regional Art Show the same year. I also won best in show for my work at this years regional art show in Morehead,” Evans said.

Evans enjoys working with different art mediums and studying art history.

“I love working with oil paint, it’s my favorite. It’s such a great medium that I can loosen my strokes with. Other mediums I love are graphite, water color and pastel pencils,” she said.

After high school Evans looks forward to a lifetime of artistic endeavors and is grateful that she has always had the support of her family to encourage her.

“My mom, Cristal Roark, my brother Zachary, my sisters Krista and Cassie, have all been so supportive of my dreams to be an artist. I plan to commit my life to art. My mind, body and soul are consumed in thoughts about art today and how I see the definition of art changing. I plan on choosing a school out of state and furthering my education in art history and painting. I hope that one day I’m able to run a museum, be an art dealer or a freelance painter. I don’t like keeping with just one thing. I want to keep changing and learning about the history of art and using that to further my abilities as an artist,” Evans said.

When she is not working on her art projects Ceirra Evans also enjoys reading, playing her guitar and hanging out with her friends.