Schools
Whiz Kid: Young Artist Has an Eye For Detail
Ellie Ecker, an eighth-grade student at Parkway West Middle School, focuses on anatomy and structural detail in much of her art.
An eye for detail and a fascination with anatomy is evident in Ellie Ecker’s art. Detailed pen and ink sketches of animals showcase her artistic style and her rich talent.
“Ellie has a natural talent for art,” said her mother, Robin Ragsdale, who is also an artist. “Her work includes a number of mediums including pen and ink, and digital manipulation using Photoshop.”
As a youngster, she attended art shows with her mother. Her interest in art was piqued as she watched other artists and often sketched her mother’s jewelry creations. She has also taken private lessons to further her talent.
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“Ellie is a master artist and a great student,” said Linda Lelonek, principal at Parkway West Middle School, where Ellie is in eighth grade.
Ellie is focused on academics and is nearing an "A" average. She said she is proud of the fact that she has improved her reading skills and is a student in accelerated reading. Ellie said she enjoys her accelerated science class because it is an extension of her love of nature. The study of animal anatomy helps with her detailed drawings.
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“I enjoy studying bone and muscle structure because anatomy is so important for drawing,” she said. “And, also architecture is interesting because I like to experiment with perspective.”
Ellie has recently been interested in art competitions. She plans to enter a community-based art competition in April, as well as a contest at a local middle school. Her artwork is also posted on a website where it can be critiqued by other artists.
“My art is like a journal for me,” Ellie said. “It lets me vent my emotions, whether they are happy or angry emotions. Sometimes I write a story around the artwork, or I might write a poem and create art to go with the poem.”
When she’s not sketching or writing, Ellie enjoys float trips and camping with her family. “I just like to be outside even just to take a walk to the park.”
She plans to continue studying art in high school but isn’t sure if she will choose a career in art. “I might go into engineering or architecture and continue my art as a side job,” Ellie said.
Ellie is the daughter of Robin Ragsdale and Robert Ecker.