If you look closely at Madi Graber’s artwork, you might get a glimpse into the Hutchinson High School senior’s life and future.
A watercolor by Graber has been selected for inclusion in a collage of art that will grace the walls of the International Baccalaureate Global Centre, in Bethesda, Md. IB art is just one of several International Baccalaureate classes the senior has taken at the high school.
Art is part of Graber’s life. Graber is the daughter of Karen and Jeff Frizell and Scott Graber.
“I like the newness of trying different things,” the senior said. “You never have to do the same thing twice. I like the feeling of endlessly creating, using your emotions to control art.”
The watercolor was inspired by a photograph of horse and rider that Graber had seen. She took the photograph and interpreted it from her perspective.
The artwork was submitted to IB last spring. Graber and IB art teacher Deb Ringler had put the submission out of their minds because so much time had passed. The submission was made by taking a high-resolution photograph of the watercolor. A week ago, though, they were notified the watercolor would be included in the IB headquarters collage.
It was a thrill for the senior.
“I was so happy,” she said. “I was not expecting them to take it because there are so many schools with IB kids who are so talented.”
While Graber is not an IB diploma candidate at HHS, she has taken several IB classes. Those IB classes include chemistry, English, biology and art. Even though HHS typically has a half dozen full IB diploma graduates each spring, the program has 55 students who will take one or more IB classes this year.
While emotions often play a role in her artwork and how she interprets scenes, Graber has another common theme, one that she hopes adds three letters – DVM – to her name after college.
Animals often play into her art.
“I plan to go to K-State next year and major in animal science,” Graber said. “My goal is to get my doctorate in veterinary medicine.”
Graber aspires to be a special kind of DVM. Graber wants to be a large animal vet – the kind who works with horses and cattle.