Portrait of a Young Artist

This week's student artist is freshman Cathy Lu. She is a five-year student in the dual degree program with the Museum of Fine Arts. She started to paint when she was young, but she, unlike other people, "just kind of never grew out of it." For high school, she attended the New World School of the Arts, an art magnet school offering classes in drama, music and the visual arts. There, she gained an appreciation for the visual arts. "Visual arts is cool because you can do it with whatever is around, you don't have to take lessons." While in high school, she got a Scholastic Award for her portfolio artwork. She always had her pieces in local contemporary art museums, such as the Bass Museum and the Miami Art Museum. In 2002, she won an arts recognition and talent search merit award. She likes to draw people and bright colors, and also works in ceramics.



Daily:When did you decide painting would be more than just a hobby for you?

CL: I never thought of painting as a hobby, actually. I don't know, it just seems natural, like something you just need to do -- like sleeping or eating.



Daily: Are your paintings directly relevant to your life or more random?

CL: Can they be random and still directly relevant?



Daily: If President Bacow asked you to do his portrait, nude, would you oblige?

CL: I'd have to be very drunk... no, even then... I'd have to be very drunk.



Daily: When do you find yourself most inspired to paint?

CL: Really late at night or early in the morning right before the sun is up. I always stay up really late (very different from the average college student I know).



Daily: Have you ever considered painting a portrait of the runners on Naked Quad Run night? And if so, what color scheme would you use?

CL: No, but that's brilliant! I would use our school colors, the good ol' brown and blue.



Daily: What type of music do you listen to when you paint? Does Britney sneak in there, or is it mostly Ja Rule?

CL: I listen to wimpy music like Weezer.



Daily: What is your ultimate goal as an artist?

CL: Not to end up in a card board box. I can deal with everything else.



If you know anyone who you think should be featured in this section, please e-mail suggestions to arts@tuftsdaily.com.