Young ARTIST

Arts & Activities, Feb, 2001 by Cathy Ferraro

I was born in Hawaii. I am the only deaf person in my family, so it was lonely growing up and not being able to communicate with my family and other hearing kids in my school. My real dad taught me how to draw when I was 4 years old. It really helped me to feel better about myself because it gave me something to do and helped me express my feelings. Now I go to a school where everyone uses sign language and we can communicate easily with each other.

Through my art, I am able to communicate with all people, even those who don't know sign language, because my art shows my real personality. My goal is to go on to become an art teacher and teach other people so they can develop their skills, maturity and serf-esteem, just like me.

Maile DeCorte, Grade 10 St. Rita School for the Deaf Cincinnati, Ohio Kathy Ferraro, Art Teacher

Maile DeCorte has been my student for the last two years. She is continually sketching and drawing out new ideas and images. She enjoys putting her energy into the Japanese animation style, yet she has shown a variety of subjects and original ideas in her work. Maile has developed a series of images reflecting the Native Americans, angels, beasts, fantasy creatures and fantastic humans.

--Kathy Ferraro