"Blood in the Woods" by Mickaela McKinney, digital illustration

Mickaela McKinney was home schooled, but has taken Digital Illustration with Lily Higgs twice at the Holy Trinity/Clifton Community Center. Educating kids at home requires dedication, but often specialty courses for art, music, or dance are important and valuable additions to a home school curriculum.

“I have not applied to college yet, but I would like to apply to the University of Louisville. I haven’t decided on whether I’m going to wait a year and save up or not. I have not received any financial aid, and my planned majors will likely be either an artistic degree or potentially a business degree.”

McKinney is showing static digital images here, but they often have the look and feel of stills from animated films, with a dynamic sense of composition that suggests movement within the frame. She is clearly telling stories, with an obvious concentration on fantasy narratives.

“I’ve mostly been self-taught over the years, but my classes with Lily Higgs have really given me the ability to expand in ways I was always scared to try. I better know how to use the tools I have and attempt to incorporate them into all my work from now on. I would definitely recommend the LVA classes to anyone who asked.”

Mickaela's work will be included in The Academy at LVA Exhibition, which will be on display May 9 - 16 at Louisville Visual Art, 1538 Lytle Street in the Portland neighborhood. Gallery Hours are Monday through Thursday, 12-4pm, or by appointment. There will be a reception Friday, May 11, 6-8pm.