Experience Cortland Artist Spotlight: Ms. Nels' Art Class

In celebration of the Bee's Knees Event, Ms. Nel's sixth-grade art class has filled the Visitors Center with spring-themed artwork. Working in oils and watercolors, the vivid gallery fills the walls and windows with bees, honey, and flowers. We asked Ms. Nels' budding artists if they would take a moment from their busy school day to answer a few questions about their work.

Join us at the Bee's Knees Event, May 14, from 10 am - 2 pm, located at Cortland County Visitors Center at 42 Main Street in downtown Cortland. If you can not make it to the event, the artwork will be on display throughout the month of May.

Where do you take your inspiration from?

• My inspiration comes from the outdoors. Lexie, Age 12
• Out in public, I might see something I like or think is cute. I change it and make it my own. Brooke D, 11- gonna be 12 soon
• I take my inspiration from God and nature. Molly Merchant, Age:11
• Bees. Gwen, Age 11
• My inspiration was from my mom’s favorite flower, a sunflower. Brooke, Age 12
• I like Winnie the Pooh. Kaili, Age 11
• Well, I was inspired by my classmates doing all different things and they had so many amazing ideas that I tried to incorporate it all. Mia, Age 12

Where do you like to create your art?

• Under a tree or in class. Kaili, Age 11
• I like to make art in my art room at my house. Brooke, Age 12
• In the art room. Gwen, Age 11
• Mostly outside when it is nice and in my room when it is quiet. Molly Merchant, Age 11
• At home outside or in the at room a home school. Brooke D, Age 11 gonna be 12 soon
• I like to create art in my art class. Lexie, Age 12

Who is your greatest influence?

• Myself. Gwen, Age 11
• Bob Ross. Kaili, Age 11
• I don't really have one, I just follow what I wanna do and not anyone else. Brooke D, Age 11, gonna be 12 soon
• My greatest influence is my best friend, Brooke. Lexie, Age 12
• My greatest influence is my best friend, Lexie! Brooke, Age 12

What is your favorite tool/material?

• A pencil! You could do a lot with a pencil and paper! Mia, Age 12
• My favorite material is clay. Brooke, Age 12
• Marker/paintbrushes. Quandale Dingle, AKA Alex, Age 12
• A pencil. Gwen, Age 11
• Acrylic paint is my favorite. Molly Merchant, Age 11
• I like to use clay and sculpting materials like that. Brooke Dav, 11, gonna be 12 soon
• My favorite tool/material is either a paintbrush or paint markers. Lexi, Age 12

What is your favorite color?

• Blue. Quandale Dingle, AKA Alex, Age 12
• Green. Gwen, Age 11
• Blue. Molly Merchant, Age 11
• I like red and black. Brooke D, Age 11, gonna be 12 soon
• My favorite color is pink. Lexie, Age 12
• My favorite colors are pastel purple or pastel blue! Brooke, Age 12
• Purple Kaili, Age 11

What has been your favorite project to date?

• I don't have one, I love them all. Molly Merchant, Age 11
• Oil pastels. Gwen, Age 11
• I liked Pumpkin Cat, it's a cat in a pumpkin with a night sky behind it. Brooke D, Age 11, gonna be 12 soon
• My favorite project has our ripped watercolor landscape paintings. Lexie, Age 12
• My favorite project is our group bowl that we made from clay. Brooke, Age 12

If your art was food, what would it be?

• My art would be a bowl of spaghetti, all intertwined. Lexi, Age 12
• I would think that it would be a pastry or cake! You could make them into anything and make anything on it! Mia, age 12
• If my art was food it would be a sunflower seed. Brooke, Age 12
• Spaghetti, all over the place. Quandale Dingle, AKA Alex, Age 12
• Not just one food but many! Gwen, Age 11
• A cake to decorate, I have a cake spinner and piping bags. Brooke D, Age, 11, gonna be 12 soon
• Candy or Honey. Kaili, Age 11
• I think of ice cream because there are so many different kinds of ice cream and there are so many different kinds of art. Molly Merchant, Age 11

What is your favorite spring activity in Cortland County?

• The Maple Fest! Kaili, Age 12
• My favorite spring activity is going for walks at the parks! Brooke, Age 12
• Walking. Gwen, Age 11
• Lacrosse. Molly Merchant, Age 11
• This is more of a summer activity but I like the Cortland fair. Lexi, Age 12

What do you feel is Cortland County’s best-kept secret?

• I don’t know, it's a secret. Gwen, Age 11
• How good the restaurants are! Molly Merchant, Age 11
• I’m not sure. Lexi, Age 12
• We have an amazing restaurant named Hobo's, it has great service and food! Brooke, Age 12

Describe Cortland County in three words.

• Homey, Community, Amazing. Brooke, Age 12
• Fun, Crazy, Weather. Quandale Dingle, AKA Alex, Age 12
• Very Cortland Classy. Gwen, Age 11
• Fun, Exciting, Educational. Molly Merchant, Age 11
• Big, Happy, Thrilling. Lexi, Age 12
• Amazing, Home, Loving. Mia, Age 12
• Yummy Food MMMMMM. Kaili, Age 11

Share your favorite Cortland County art with us for a chance to be featured!
Tag @experiencecortland and use hashtag #experiencecortland.