Freshman art education major Laura Gascon dabbles her brush into all sorts of mediums.

She took three years of photography in high school and never had a drawing class, but when she entered NIU, she was bombarded with a unfamiliar medium.

But she acclimated quickly and has grown to appreciate drawing even more so.

Gascon’s artistic influences include photographer Richard Avedon, best known for his portraits of actors and actresses that often appearing in The New Yorker, and Annie Leibowitz.

“Their work is impressive – people recognize it and it is controversial,” Gascon said.

When Gascon isn’t taking pictures she spends time with her friends or at home with her family. Although it was hard for her to leave her hometown of Schaumburg and her friends and dog, she is happy to be surrounded by motivated people who are discovering what they want to do with their lives.

The “Garden State” soundtrack is currently in Gascon’s CD rotation, along with Gwen Stefani and Bjork. While working, she likes to listen to the motivating music of Philip Glass.

In high school, Gascon had many opportunities to exhibit her work and won several awards. Her photography was given an art department award given to only two students per year.

Her other hobbies include reading, listening to music and watching fashion shows such as “Project Runway” – her favorite show.

Gascon enjoys studying at NIU because of its impressive art program. Some pieces of her artwork have been displayed as examples for ART 100 in the Jack Arends Art Building hallways.

In the future, Gascon said, she hopes to continue to do what she loves and teach high school art. She also plans to continue to travel to France, England and Mexico where several members of her family reside.

“I want people to just get a reaction, a feeling, anything,” Gascon said.

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