”
It’s going to be a mantelpiece,
”
explained Josh Morales as he painstakingly smoothed wet, fibrous
layers onto the surface of an impressively sculpted papier-m
âche elephant head.
Each year, The Dispatch features outstanding graduates who make Gilroy High a special place. We’re expanding the popular feature this year and starting a bit earlier with our annual 2011 Senior Spotlight features to include more GHS grads who are moving into the future with energy, creativity and hope. Enjoy.
Jasmine Darbhamulla
AGE: 17
GPA: 3.62
DREAM JOB: Freelance artist
FAVORITE SAYING: Darbhamulla doesn’t have one; rather, “I’m more of a person who just lives based on my own standards.”
During a recent AP Studio Art Class, Jasmine Darbhamulla was working on what could easily be the fashion statement of the year in Gilroy: A lion papier-mâche hat, specifically dreamed up for when she attends the premiere of “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Part 2” in July.
An enlightening five minutes spent with this free spirit reveals a subtle sense of humor and a fearless receptivity to wherever the wind may take her.
“My greatest nightmare is staying in one place and settling,” she said, adding, “I’m never having kids.”
Although she recognizes it may sounds ridiculous to some, Darbhamulla – without pausing to think twice about it – said her ideal career is becoming a freelance artist, traveling the world and living off her work.
“I’m going to try really hard,” she said.
Cast aside all stigmas attached to wayfaring, fancy-free artists, however.
Rest assured, Darbhamulla is going places – including college.
“She not only did an outstanding job on her AP portfolio, but is taking several other AP exams as well,” noted Gilroy High School art instructor Annie Tobin.
That includes AP English Literature Composition, AP Chemistry, AP Music Theory and AP Government/Economics.
Despite being accepted in to the University of California, Davis and the University of California, Santa Cruz, this creative cookie took the fiscally solvent route and opted for Cabrillo College in Aptos.
Not just because it’s “cheaper,” but also because the art classes there are more than abundant than the color wheel.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “I still haven’t taken a live drawing class – human anatomy and what not.”
Unlike some artists who experience brooding periods and produce darker work, Darbhamulla asserts this isn’t her cup of tea. Rather, she enjoys drawing objects she feels are beautiful.
“I feel like every artist has a dead baby picture or something,” she laughed. “It’s kind of true. I will never do that. I’m an optimist, and that’s what I show in my work.”
Josh Morales
AGE: 18
GPA: 3.73
DREAM JOB: Working for Pixar
FAVORITE SAYING: “In order to be the irreplaceable, one must be truly unique.” – Coco Chanel
“It’s going to be a mantelpiece,” explained Josh Morales as he painstakingly smoothed wet, fibrous layers onto the surface of an impressively sculpted papier-mâche elephant head.
When Morales relocates roughly two hours northeast to attend Modesto Junior College next year, his new pad will have “unique” spaces to fill – hence the opportunity for fresh decor.
But who needs household furnishings from Target when you’re an inspired visionary?
After his paper pachyderm is dried and fully shaped, Morales plans on covering the figure with fond photographic memories of family and friends – an artistic interpretation of the adage, “an elephant never forgets.”
For the newly-turned 18-year-old excelling in AP Studio Art, creating has ” been a part of me my entire life.”
Morales’ favorite tool of expression was initially the humble No. 2 pencil, something he “just picked up” and started sketching with.
Then he “got good at it.”
Really good.
“Josh has been in my class all four years,” said Gilroy High School art teacher Annie Tobin. “He wins pretty much every art contest he enters, and can be counted on to make art on demand – when the school or community needs it.”
Morales’ work has been featured in local shows and murals, campaign ads, GavTV, Gavilan College and at the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center in San Jose.
Morales was also a project leader in the creation of a facade improvement for the former Leedo Gallery at 7529 Monterey Street in downtown, which took seven months to complete.
“One of my strengths is being able to capture emotion,” he said, describing a seascape where a woman is washed onshore, her bluish skin-tone contrasted by a red dress.
After he knocks out general credits during his freshman and sophomore year in Modesto, Morales has his fingers crossed on being accepted into the elite Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna.
“I’m super excited,” he said. “I’ve been doing a lot (with art). It’s got me far.”
