watercolor and ink; 20×16”
For me, life is a very important thing. I’ve seen my family members deteriorate before my very own eyes due to using miscellaneous drugs, but the worst experience I’ve ever had to go through is the death of my cousin. Her life had gone downhill since it started, being filled with partying, violence, and drugs. These actions had led her to indirectly cause her own murder, due to a domestic dispute. Through my research, I learned about the significantly negative effects of using drugs. Being addicted to drugs not only affects you, causing mental health and physical problems, but it also leaches into the lives of those around you. I created a piece with watercolor and ink, with fine line detail and hatching, to express my view on drug use. I illustrated a coffin, but instead of a regular coffin it’s shaped vaguely like a pill bottle. I used this to symbolize the fact that addiction can, and likely will, end your life. However, there is no being in the coffin, but instead some poppy flowers which represent drug addiction awareness. For me, life is a very important thing. I believe everyone deserves a chance at life and people should be able to live long, happy lives.
ARTIST BIO: Jack Huntsberger is a grade 12 student at Butler Tech School of Art studying art under art teacher Mary Catherine Ruby.