Megan Paulis Receives Scholarship For Entry In MLK Visionary Kids Contest

Northeast High School senior Megan Paulis drew inspiration from her favorite artist, pop-art pioneer Andy Warhol, when creating a portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Her interpretation of the civil rights leader earned her a $1,500 scholarship in the annual Visionary Kids Contest sponsored by the Anne Arundel County Arts Council. The theme of the contest was “Keep Moving.”

For inspiration, Paulis researched King’s facial expressions and then selected a single quote from the many powerful words of wisdom attributed to him.

“The quote was very hard to pick considering he has said so many inspiring words,” said Paulis. “But I believe the quote I picked best fit the ‘Keep Moving’ theme of the contest.”

Paulis chose, “If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. But by all means, keep moving.”

“Martin Luther King changed the lives of so many people and all he wanted was equality for all people,” added Paulis. “He never gave up. He kept trying even when many doubted him. He kept moving forward no matter how hard it was.”

The portrait was made with oil pastels and oil paint, and it took Paulis approximately six hours to complete. She used bright colors that exude positivity, a nod to King the visionary and Warhol the artist.

“I’ve always loved Andy Warhol’s paintings. They are fun and colorful,” said Paulis. “He is a very inspiring artist who has so many fun paintings.”

Paulis said she loves to paint in oils, but she is currently experimenting in clay and plans to create a 12-piece 3D portfolio in clay.

“I always doodled when I was a kid, but I really didn’t take it seriously until my freshman year in high school,” said Paulis. “That’s when I realized that I really wanted to be involved in the art world.”

Paulis credits two art teachers, Bill Morin and Rachel Curtis, for helping her grow as an artist and a person.

She called Morin “a great storyteller” who has taught her much more than just art, and she said Curtis always gives her the best tips on how to make her work better. “She introduced me to clay just last year, and now I am doing a whole portfolio on it hoping to get a good score,” Paulis said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for either of these teachers.”

Morin said over that last four years, he has watched Paulis mature as an artist and as a young woman. “She has a very expressionist style emerging and enjoys working in lots of color,” said Morin. “She’s been a joy to work with, and I am excited to see where she will take her art.”

Curtis believes that Paulis will take her art in interesting directions because she is creative and motivated. “She also has an amazing ability and willingness to learn new techniques and work with different mediums, which is a rare quality in an artist,” said Curtis. “Megan is respectful and kind to everyone around her, and it has really been my pleasure not only getting to teach her but also collaborate on artwork with her. She has taught me a lot!”

Paulis has been accepted to seven colleges so far, including the prestigious Maryland Institute College of Art. She is an intern at Riviera Beach Elementary School, working alongside art teacher Anne Bostwick, who told her about the contest.

“I am still deciding where I will go to school,” she added. “I plan to major in art education and hope to teach art at either the high school or college levels.”