Art in Motion: Ryan Fields takes methodical approach to both her running and drawing

When it comes to distance running, it is important to not get ahead of yourself and end up going faster than you’re comfortable with. If you do, then fatigue will quickly set in and you may find yourself having to drop out of a race completely.

The same basic principle applies to creating art, with the artist needing to take his or her time to ensure that a drawing, painting, sculpture, etc. is done right, as opposed to just being done quickly.

Williamsburg junior Ryan Fields knows all about the type of sustained effort that is required to be successful in the above-mentioned activities. As a distance runner for the Yellow Jacket cross country and track teams, she understands the risk of tiring out before reaching the finish line if she pushes herself too hard.

As an artist who was recently accepted to the prestigious Governor’s School for the Arts summer program, Fields also appreciates the time and energy that is required to be successful when sketching, painting or sculpting.

“I am very excited,” said Fields of her acceptance into the GSA. “I get to go for three weeks in July and take a bunch of art classes. I hope to learn more about art in general, because I do struggle sometimes with the process. I just want to get done, and then I mess something up and get aggravated. I am hoping to learn how to handle those situations better.”

Fields qualified for GSA in visual arts, which includes painting and drawing. She submitted several pieces as part of the application process, including a self-portrait, a landscape, and even a project where she used popsicle sticks to make a sculpture of a frog that is seated and reading a book.

Before she leaves home for three weeks this summer to hone her craft as an artist, Fields is focused on finishing out the current track and field season on a high note. With the Class A Region 6 championship meet scheduled for Thursday, May 18, in Somerset, she is hoping to once again qualify for state competition.

Fields has competed at the state level before as a member of the Lady Yellow Jackets’ 4×800-meter relay squad. She is hopeful of returning in that event this spring, and maybe the 3200-meter run as well.

“I really like the people, and the coaches,” Fields said when asked to discuss what she enjoys about being a runner at WHS. “I love my teammates too. We are like one big family here.”

In addition to running, Fields is also a member of the cheer squad at Williamsburg. As for the future, she said that she plans to continue her athletic endeavors while also taking college courses as she pursues an associate’s degree in psychology. She said that she would like to eventually apply her talents as an artist to the practice of art therapy, which gives young people the opportunity to express themselves through drawing, and allows therapists to better understand a situation by examining their patients’ art.

To learn more about the Governor’s School for the Arts, go online to www.kentuckyperformingarts.org/education/governors-school-for-the-arts.

The News Journal will provide additional details in the coming weeks as it relates to the 2023 regional and state level high school track and field competitions. More info can also be found by visiting the Kentucky High School Athletic Association online at www.khsaa.org, or the Kentucky MileSplit website at www.ky.milesplit.com.