Make room Walt Disney, Hoosic Valley has an up and coming digital artist…meet senior Amber Cuzdey. She has been ‘artisting’ since elementary and unlike those who create on paper or canvas, Amber has become remarkable at creating her artwork on a drawing tablet.
Amber likens it to typing, but instead of creating letters, she creates lines and like all great typists she looks at the screen while drawing with a stylus on her tablet. It’s a style that has even amazed her Art Teacher, Erin McCauliffe. Inspired by the Anna May and Mega Man cartoon characters, Amber chose the tablet for its ability to provide vibrant colors which she feels is key to friendlier cartoons.
But it’s not just her technique that makes her art so unique, its what she creates; spectacularly colorful, animated characters, each with individual personalities, human traits and abilities that intertwine in an ongoing story line.
Amber modestly guesstimates creating upwards of 100 characters, many have retired but her favorites live on, gently morphing in appearance as her artistic style has evolved. The hallways of HV have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a few…
Main character, ‘Albast Duane Tanoshi’ is a ‘silly’ robot who dons a cape, big shoes, antennae and displays a huge heart… a super friend to all, who is 7 in robot years!
Albast’s best friend always wears green and smiles. A happy robot, forever nice with an upbeat personality hence the musical note, the green color reveals an underlying human trait of jealousy.
Known for rescuing others from weather hazards is the snowflake and propeller dude. Bossy tendency because he’s an organizer and checking his facial expression one can gather, easily angered.
Looking a bit tattered, is Amber’s newest character, introduced in 2018. She is always in a good mood but unfortunately on edge for a fight, hence the boxing gloves and scrapes.
Albast’s dad wears a simple red t-shirt. Although a robot, he worries just like a real dad, not to mention he can fix and make things like a real dad too!
Lastly, the little fella in purple. ‘Dad’ found him broken and repaired him. He began with no emotions but over time has gradually learned them!
To truly appreciate Amber's talent - check out some her artwork
The HV Art program has brought forth some incredible talent, but this artist is going where no artist at HV has gone before. Remember you heard her name here, Amber Cuzdey, along with her friends Albast and company, watch for them …. it’ s going to be one spectacular story!
We have some pretty amazing young people set to take on the world here at Hoosic Valley - if you know of one that would like to share their story outside of the classroom send an email to Nancy O'Donnell at [email protected]