Every single month a new piece of art is on display in the library for the students and staff to admire and learn about. For the month of march, there will no doubt be herds of students gawking at the brilliance of junior Alaxira Huon-Dumentat’s photography skills. Her piece, called Mad Hatter, stems from a friends Halloween costume–seemingly creepy and very much Alice in Wonderland-esque–that has the ability to transfix people with it’s dark colors and features.  With the use of different lighting techniques and Photoshop, Dumentat was able to capture a photo that demands a wandering eye. She has dreams to pursue art in college and make it big in the fashion industry. More likely than not, her photography and her designs will be plastered on billboards across the country in just a few short years.  I got to sit down with her and find the answers to her seemingly effortless mastery of photography.

Q: What is your favorite piece of art that you have ever made?

A: I really like that (Mad Hatter) but I have another picture of a door covered in paint in France, it is from a cool place in a random building taken over by artists.

Q: Have you seen a recurring theme in the inspiration of your art and if so what is it?

A: I guess more of a fantasy theme. I really like drawing a lot and I have just always have liked fantasy stories like Alice in Wonderland.

Q: Do you think this theme stemmed from your other interests outside of the art room?

A: I don’t know, I have just always liked fantasy.

Q: Do you find that you work better surrounded by other artist or by yourself?

A: I work better by myself because I like being able to control the situation and art medium.

Q: Do you have any idea if pursuing art in college is of your interest?

A: I am going to pursue fashion design. I am going to have to do a lot of sketch work if I go to one of those schools.

Q: Do you find that you use the skills learned here and apply them outside of the classroom?

A: Yes. I was at a different school and I use a lot of the things I learned there in my technique.

Q: What are some of those skills?

A: I draw a lot of figure drawing and I doodle a lot. I take photography and I know how to use Photoshop.

Q: How has the staff at Yorktown helped you to be a successful artist?

A: It is my first year here, in eleventh grade with Mr. Fleischer as my teacher. He has helped me a lot with Photoshop and with the lighting (of the photos).