McKenna Grace Themm, 18, is a recent graduate of Springs’ Homeschool program. She graduated in June with a 4.3 GPA and completed 20 college credits. She currently attends Cal State San Marcos as a Liberal Studies major and Music minor.
She has been painting for three years. She started by painting flowers and copying the works of Van Gogh and Monet. She now likes painting landscapes, she said, and has “become fascinated with clouds, birds and oak trees.” She said, “I love the idea of art because it allows me to enter into this place of mind that people over centuries have been able to enter into. The feel of the paintbrush between my fingers and image in my head make me feel as though I am inheriting a legacy that began thousands of years ago in the Neolithic Era, was carried through Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh, and will continue long after I am gone.”
Most of paintings are made in acrylics so she can complete her paintings in a few hours. When she has more time to devote to a subject, she uses oils. McKenna’s favorite subject in school is English, and she loves to read. She said, “I can always be found with a book in hand, for I take great pleasure in reading.” She also likes music. She has played the piano for 13 years, and has been teaching piano for the past three years. She serves as the keyboardist at her church. She also travels to Punta Gorda, Belize to bring educational supplies to Belizean and Mayan teachers.
