Alexandra Valainis
I started oil painting classes when I was eight, and it is still my favorite medium today. I like the slow-drying nature of the paint, which allows me to go back in and work on a piece for weeks, as well as its rich color quality. I also enjoy a variety of other mediums including pen and ink, watercolor, acrylic, and digital media.
My style has evolved a lot since coming to OCSA in 7th grade; I've learned to loosen up and adopt a more painterly style that I'm pretty happy with now. My favorite subject matters have also changed quite a bit. I loved to paint big cats and fantasy creatures when I was young, and now my favorites are landscapes, especially plein-air, and portraits, which my time at OCSA has given me the skills to approach confidently.
My future plans…
In college, I plan to major in physics, possibly with a double major in math. After undergrad, I hope to pursue a Ph.D. related to theoretical astro-particle physics, which is where my interests currently lie. Realistically, I likely won't go to graduate school directly after college and may work in between or continue research at university or through an internship. Possible places of future employment that excite me are the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, which present an opportunity to engage the forefront of experimental astrophysics and particle physics. However, if I stay on a theoretical path, I may remain in academia all my life and work for a university, possibly even as a professor.
My advice for my younger OCSA Classmates-
Take classes that sound interesting and you're passionate about, but don't be afraid to experiment and try something different than your usual style.
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