Since the age of four, senior Lauren Ebben has lifted her voice through love of artistic expression. Growing up, Ebben never stopped pursuing her passion for art. From painting to sculpture, she has truly made the most of her time in the West art department.

“I’ve been in all the drawing and painting classes, with Mrs. Spanbauer for Drawing and Painting 1 and then I had Mrs. Geffers for all the other drawing and painting classes,” she said. “I also took Clay and Ceramics 1, 2, and 3 with Mr. Ryf.”

This year, Ebben hopes to expand her expertise by trying something new.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the glass and creative forms class because I’ve never done anything like that, so that will be a new experience,” she said. “I've always wanted to take that class but I’ve never had room in my schedule, so I’m looking forward to trying out that new medium.”

Ebben has always sought to grow as an artist.

“In Intro to Drawing and Painting, there are certain projects that you have to do and I did a color pencil and value drawing which I usually don’t do, so that really opened up my knowledge as an artist,” she said. “I really like drawing, so it made me go out of my comfort zone and get more familiar with other mediums.”

Usually focused on drawing and painting, Ebben even decided to try some sculpture classes with Clay and Ceramics teacher Jason Ryf.

“Mr. Ryf definitely taught me strategies with sculpture,” she said. “Also, Clay and Ceramics isn’t something you can really do at home, so I got more practice in sculpture that way.”

Ryf recognizes Lauren’s painting capabilities, seeing her talent shine not only on the canvas but on 3-D work as well.

“I’ve had Lauren in ceramics classes, and in the Levels 2 and 3 ceramics classes; they’ve had the opportunity to glaze or paint their work, and a lot of times she’ll choose to paint,” he said. “Then you can really see where her painting ability can come through.”

Currently, Ebben is working on something called the memory project, which hopes to provide handmade, heartfelt portraits as special memories to children in orphanages, using art to reach a world where all youth see themselves in one another regardless of differences in their appearance, culture, or religion. The memory project was started in 2004 by Wisconsin native, Ben Shumaker, who was passionate about connecting youth around the world with art. Drawing and Painting teacher Linda Geffers has participated for multiple years in all different countries. Geffers opened up this opportunity to Ebben this year and she couldn’t be more grateful.

“Mrs. Geffers showed me this memory project that I’m working on right now, which is drawing or painting a portrait of an orphan from a third world country,” Ebben said. “She gave me the opportunity to do that.”

With years of practice and dedication, Ebben’s love and talent for art has soared.

“Looking back at my old paintings, I’ve gotten better with adding detail and a lot better at replicating colors, and proportions, but just overall I’ve gotten better,” she said.

Geffers also feels that Ebben has improved greatly overall and in her detailed work; she notes that Ebben has always had immense skill but that skill has only advanced over the last four years.

“She came to us talented, but I would say she has grown even more. She’s just more talented and detailed; she's just a very very strong artist,” she said.

Ryf agreed, noticing Ebben’s talent from the beginning and seeing how she’s expanded her skills.

“She started out pretty good and still built on top of that. She's gotten more refined and has gotten a wider view of the world so her ideas are coming from different places as opposed to just a smaller area,” he said. “Just after having so many art classes she really knows what to look for.”

Ebben’s eye for detail is prevalent in her day to day life as well.

“I notice more things. I like to paint faces and subtle things about people's appearances pop out to me more,” she said. “I notice details about the world around me more because I do realism paintings so the little details I'm forced to look at stick out. I’ll constantly point out things that a lot of other people don’t notice.”

Geffers values Ebben's observant and attentive nature when it comes to painting. The time and care that she puts into her art pays off in the end.

“She’s very realistic, I would describe her art as photo realistic,” she said. “She tends to bring in her own images which I love, and her art looks like a photograph when it’s done.”

Her involvement in art for so many years has also changed her as a person for the better.

“I also think art made me a more patient person because you have to be really patient when it comes to painting; you can't just give up on it halfway through. When it gets boring in a certain area, I’ve learned to jump to a separate section of the painting so I don’t get sick of it,” she said. “ I also think art made me more confident in myself because I don’t have many things that I’m really good at so having art as something that I shine in has definitely built my confidence.”

As a senior, the pressure to pick a path for the future looms over Ebben’s head. She's always had dreams of pursuing art, however, today’s day and age makes it a daunting decision.

“I’ve always planned on going into art but I feel like there’s not as many jobs available, so I’m honestly not sure because art doesn’t make a lot of money either,” she said. “I’d love to have a job that uses my artistic abilities, but I don’t know much that will work out in the future. If I don't have a career that involves art, I’ll still definitely do it in my free time.”

Geffers simply wishes Ebben can continue to showcase her talents after high school no matter what she chooses to go into.

“I hope whether she makes art a career or not that she always does art,” she said. “I think she needs to share her skill and her talent with others because she’s a very exceptional artist so I hope it stays in her life somehow.”

Ryf believes that Ebben could succeed in an art career.

“Whether she goes into art or not I just hope that she at least continues with her art because that would be some major wasted talent for people to miss out on, for her not to continue with it in some form,” he said. “I think she could go into art and be successful, but I don't know if Oshkosh would be the area for that. I just hope she continues with it and lets people see her art."

Ryf appreciates Ebben’s presence in class, as she truly cares about her work.

“She’s always been a good student, she’s always great to have in class, she’s very thoughtful, and puts effort and time into her projects,” he said. “She is never just done or satisfied; she wants to do the best that she can, so it’s always been a pleasure to have her in my class.”

Geffers admires Ebben for the energy and care she puts into class and her work.

“I just appreciate Lauren's talent and efforts,” she said. “She’s extremely mature, I really enjoy our conversations together. I’m extremely glad and thankful to have her in class.”

by Tenna Ruetten

Published November 3, 2025

Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue II

Ebben paints memories on canvas of high school experience