Young artist gifted with New York solo art exhibit

Former Little Elm now Frisco student Daisy Velo is celebrating her 16th birthday a little sweeter than most--as a gift from a past teacher, Velo will get to experience her own art solo exhibit in New York.

From Aug. 9-20, Velo's 29 pieces of artwork including three sculptures and four pastel pieces will be featured at the Back Room Gallery in Beacon, New York, for the Teen Inaugural Solo Exhibit for Upcoming Artist Daisy Velo. The exhibit is a birthday gift from New York artist Veryal Zimmerman to Velo, who celebrated her birthday in July.

"I love it, I don't even have the right words to explain how great this feeling is," Velo said.

In March 2011, Velo traveled to New York with her grandmother and two sisters and ended up passing an art studio in Beacon called the Back Room Gallery, which is owned by Zimmerman. Learning that Zimmerman was offering art classes, Velo signed up to attend basic painting classes later that summer, where she learned how to use different mediums.

"[Zimmerman] owns a warehouse and the whole bottom floor is her art gallery," Velo explained. "She does more classical art, but I still liked it and she was offering art classes."

Velo's art steers toward the more modern side, utilizing acrylic and mixed medias into her work. Saving all the art she has done growing up, Velo draws on the things she learned and interprets them, using different techniques.

"I always find myself looking at things in a newer perspective," Velo said.

While in New York, Velo shared that Zimmerman wanted to teach her the "ropes" early so she does not have to go through the struggles Zimmerman did as an artist.

"[Zimmerman] grew up in New York and it was very difficult for her in the beginning of art life," Velo said. "[She] knew it was my birthday and wanted to give me [the exhibit] for my 16th birthday."

To find inspiration and prevent distraction, Velo listens to music from country stars such as Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert.

"Whenever I'm in a really good mood, my paintings come out more bubbly," Velo said.

When she is not having a good day, Velo tends to use darker colors in her paintings.

"My emotions pour out into my artwork," Velo said.

Art is in Velo's blood. Her aunt is a painter and her grandmother decorates cakes.

"[She] just decorates cakes, but I think it's art," Velo said.

Ever since she was little, Velo said she has always loved art. With support from her family and teachers from both the Frisco and Little Elm ISDs, Velo started taking art classes during middle school. Her chance encounter with Zimmerman in New York prompted her to want to return to New York.

"I liked it so much I asked to come back this summer, and she brought me back," Velo said.

Since paint supplies can become a costly expense, Velo said her grandfather gives her money for supplies. Like the saying "starving artists," artists would rather choose art than food, she said.

"Sometimes I'd rather have a burger over paint, but other times I'd rather have paint over a burger," Velo said.

She aspires to someday have one of her art pieces in the Dallas Museum of Art.

"I would love to have an art piece in there someday. It'd be pretty amazing," Velo said.

Velo, who will attend Wakeland High School in Frisco this fall, hopes to take a ceramics class to work on her sculptures. When she graduates from high school, she plans to attend a college in New York and double major in nursing and art. For now, Velo is enjoying the opportunity many young artists never have.

"I think it's one of the best things that's happened to me."

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