Nora Detchmendy: drawing

April 18, 2023

One of many pieces that senior Nora Detchemendy has created shows a skeleton in the air. Detchmendy can often be found doing her signature drawing of skeletons. (Nora Detchemendy)

For senior Nora Detchemendy, drawing caught her eye while she was growing up. Detchmendy began pursuing her art career as a child and went on to learn pottery during her junior year. Detchemendy draws with a thin sharpie in her artwork, often coming off as comic book or tattoo-style line art because she likes how it looks.

“I’ve never stopped drawing, [ever] since I [started when I] was little. I’m proud of the style I adopted and created with my art. I do a lot of work with a fine-tip sharpie, kind of like comic book/tattoo-style line art. It was kind of an accident at first, but I rolled with it, and I liked it, so I kept using it.” Detchemendy said. “Drawing, to me, is a way to bring your ideas to life and your vision to the paper.”

Senior Nora Detchemendy reflects on her favorite piece she created in her AP drawing class. Detchemedy can often be found drawing skeletons. “I’m proud of this piece. It was one of the first drawings I made for AP Drawing: it shows a person taking their shirt off to show bones/ribcage,” Detchemendy said. “This drawing, in particular, holds a lot of meaning that could apply to anyone who sees it. [The skeleton] can [represent] body image and mental health because everybody experiences issues with their body. It’s one of the more powerful pieces someone can look at and understand.” (Nora Detchemendy )

Detchemendy is in Advanced 3D Studies and AP Drawing, just some of the many AP art classes at the school. Picking up the hobby after getting compliments about her work, Detchemendy credits her teachers for helping her continue her journey with drawing.

“Art teachers [Kat] Briggs and [Ashley] Drissel have been nothing but helpful and encouraging; I appreciate them and everything they do. They’re good at their job by being very interactive and encouraging with their students. [They] check in and help when needed,” Detchmendy said.

Because she doesn’t like drawing humans and faces, Detchemendy can often be found drawing skeleton-related images. Detchemendy starts with a pencil and goes back in with a pen.

“[Skeleton art] is cool, and there is a lot of symbolism behind it. Skeletons don’t have a gender; you can’t assume as much when you draw a skeleton; you have to show it. I just sit and think until I get an idea for a piece. Drawing can be calming. I sit down and draw for hours. It’s hypnotizing because I feel like I leave the real world,” Detchemendy said. “It’s fun to see your ideas given life, especially by your hands.”