Voices & Visions

Oakhurst teen’s artwork gets published

In nationally recognized book:
Teen Ink 2

by Cathie Campbell of the Sierra Star

Writers. Artists. Photographers. Poets.

Perhaps images of your favorite creative individuals come to mind when you see those words. Do you see Henry David Thoreau recording his thoughts and observations at the edge of Walden Pond? Do you see Michelangelo, gazing serenely at his work on the Sistine Chapel’s ceilings? Do you see a teen-ager, sprawled across the floor, surrounded by a bag of chips, a portable CD player, headset and scattered pens and pencils?

Oops! Wait a minute — back up there. Yes, that teen is a creative individual, too, perhaps working on a project that will find its way into the pages of a respected national publication. Things like that do happen, as evidenced by sixteen-year-old Andrea Denise Starkey of Oakhurst. She is the daughter of Barbara and Kurt Starkey.

Andrea, who will be starting her senior year at Yosemite High School next month, was recently notified that a pencil drawing of hers was chosen to be included in the book, “Teen Ink 2: More Voices, More Visions.”

The publication is the second book in a series published by Health Communications Inc. and edited by Stephanie H. Meyer and John Meyer. Stephanie and John Meyer are the editor and publisher, respectively, of “Teen Ink Magazine” and founders of The Young Authors Foundation.

Andrea originally entered her work as a fulfillment requirement in the English 10 Honors/Pre IB (International Baccalaureate) class taught by YHS teacher Mary Kaye Huizing. The art was originally published in “Teen Ink Magazine,” as was one other pencil drawing and an oil painting.

All royalties from the “Teen Ink” books benefit the foundation, which is a nonprofit organization established to expand reading, writing and educational opportunities for young adults nationwide.

“Teen Ink Magazine” has published more than 25,000 students’ works since 1989 and is distributed to 4,000 middle and high schools nationwide.

Andrea has had an active interest in art since her junior high school years, and continued her education in visual arts upon entering high school.

“I plan to continue my studies in art,” says Andrea, “with the goal of becoming an illustrator, especially for children’s books.”

Her favorite medium is charcoal pencils, although the drawing that was recently published was done with an ordinary pencil. It is a portrait of a young woman, but it wasn’t modeled after anyone she knows.

Andrea’s style has continued to evolve since doing the artwork featured in the book, as she prefers not to limit herself. She strives to allow her creativity to grow and to explore all options in the art world.

“My work has changed a lot,” says Andrea. Besides having had her work published in the magazine and book, Andrea has also participated in a student exhibit sponsored by Timberline Gallery. When asked if she was surprised by the news of her inclusion in the book, Andrea said that she wasn’t expecting it. “The book just came in the mail,” she says, “with a letter from the publishers explaining that my drawing had been chosen for publication.”

Andrea’s friends and family are very supportive of her art career, and were excited about the recent good news. There is quite a bit of Andrea’s artwork on display in the homes of others, as she is very generous with her creations. “I draw pictures of people in my family, and give them as Christmas gifts,” says Andrea.

Like many artists, Andrea is so generous that she does not have a lot of her own artwork available at hand, as the pieces find appreciative homes almost as soon as they are finished. Andrea may continue to submit work to the “Teen Ink” publications, as there is no limit to how many times a teen can be published.

“Teen Ink” has no staff writers or reporters. Any teen-ager can participate and there is no charge to submit work or be published. Special programs include the “Teen Ink Poetry Journal,” Interview Contest, Student Book Awards and Educator of the Year Awards.

TeenInk.com is the online companion to “Teen Ink Magazine.” It includes an archive of 14,000 teen works and showcases a daily poem, photo, story, essay and more, all by teens. The site also features a college directory, contests, bulletin boards and more than 300 categorized Web resources for teens.

The best part about the “Teen Ink” series is that a unique vision is created with every piece, each one brought to life by teen writers, artists and photographers who see their worlds in astonishing ways. The latest book is divided into sections including Family, Friends, Challenges, Love, Imagination, School Days, Fitting In, Milestones and Memories. Many important social issues are explored in the book.

“In the Challenges section alone,” says Stephanie Meyer, “there are pieces on sexual abuse, alcoholism, eating disorders, teen motherhood, depression, imprisonment, illness of a parent and divorce.”

“Teen Ink” illustrates the depth of teenage talent, emotion and imagination. This collection of prose and poetry represents the honest and compelling moments that define their lives. The stories are well crafted and filled with feelings derived from real-life events — emotions not of the surface, but of the soul. These pieces will stick with you, at times even leaving you in tears, or having you ponder their not-so-obvious conclusions. You may think about your own life, and remember times when you had similar reactions, also perhaps wondering how you would make it to the next day. Teen-agers seek out books that speak to them in unique and meaningful ways. Over the past twelve years, millions of teen-agers have found a voice in the pages of “Teen Ink Magazine.”

Now, with the release of “Teen Ink 2: More Voices, More Visions,” many more will be introduced to “Teen Ink” as a forum for their deepest concerns, fears and dreams. They will see that the difficulties of life are not only universal, but conquerable, and they will understand that in a world of seemingly never-ending obstacles, they are never as alone as they once thought. The first book sold over 100,000 copies in its first six months, and now “Teen Ink 2: More Voices, More Visions” is available nationwide. “The power of ‘Teen Ink’ lies in its writers — all teen-agers themselves,” says Jennifer Keller, assistant to the editor for “Teen Ink.” “Their honest and heartfelt stories resonate with peers and open the eyes of parents and other caring adults. “The negative stereotypes many adults have of teens will be shattered by the honesty, creativity and depth of feeling expressed by these young writers.” It isn’t just the depressing or negative aspects of life that the teens explore, as the collection also includes insightful tales of love and relationships.

Andrea would like to encourage other teens to share their talents, especially those who may lack self-confidence, or feel too shy to expose those talents to the outside world. “Just go ahead and put yourself out there,” says Andrea, “even if it’s something small. It could lead to something bigger.”

Thanks to the Young Authors Foundation, and to the creative talents of young people like Andrea Starkey, and teachers such as Mary Kaye Huizing, who encourage such talent, our perceptions of writers, artists, photographers and poets have been expanded to rightfully include our nation’s teens.

Writers. Artists. Photographers. Poets. Teens.