Whiz Kid: Isaac Hernandez

At first glance, Isaac Hernandez's work may be somewhat shocking in it's grim subject matter, however his teacher, Rose Ann Chrzanowski, said, “Society doesn't let boys cry so it is common for them to express their emotions through art.” She shrugged with a smile, adding, “And they are teenage boys. They are warriors.”

Isaac described his artistic journey, “From fifth, fourth, third grade, I just doodled. In seventh grade, I started drawing in pen, and I started doing a lot more shading. That's when I started thinking I was good at drawing. My favorite style is surreal and I am hoping to go into computer animation. I am doing Fantasy Illustration in AP Drawing.”

His mother Grisell Hernandez recognized his gift long before that. “He was six years old when I started noticing that he really had some talent. I always drew so I noticed it, especially because he always chose to use a pen. Never a pencil, a pen.”

Out of Isaac's five family members, four are artistic. “No one has really pursued their art as a career,” his mother, Griselle said, “But I believe he may be the one to do it.”

Griselle noted that in previous years, schools did not put as much emphasis on the arts and she is glad they are more supportive now.

“His drawing is not the norm, he is very talented. I am hoping he will take AP Studio Drawing next year,” Chrzanowski said. “The detail in his work, his drawing is meditation.”

“Isaac is so dedicated to his art," she continued. "From his freshman year, he came into class determined to do his best. I have so much respect for him as an artist. A few years ago, he won the award for best art student in the state, when he was in fifth grade.”

In a March 10, 2006 article in the Republican-American, it was announced that Isaac was one of two Brooklyn students who had been recognized through the Connecticut Association of Schools, Recognition of the Arts Elementary Program.

“There was a celebration at Aquaturf in Southington,” Grisell noted. “There were a lot of people there, a few hundred,”she said.

“I am just so proud, he just talks to me all about it all the time,” Isaacs mother said. “There is so much detail, and it's all from his from his imagination. I don't know where he gets it from. I am blown away by his work.”