James Yzkanin

Bob Ross was my first teacher. I loved his, “The Joy of Painting” series. There! I said it! I especially loved watching it on VHS. Nothing like growing up in the early 90’s... Anyway, Ross taught me not only the art of color and paint, but also how to embrace beauty in all of my surroundings. As an adult, I see much importance in things like creativity, self-expression, and art in general. In school, I excelled in the arts and took on many projects - some personal and others public for my community. I designed advertisements for plays, as well as props and backdrops. I also worked on a mural that is displayed on the Dickson City Borough Building, which you can see if you ever find yourself in Northeastern Pennsylvania. By my final year of high school, I received twenty-five awards for fine arts in photography, drawing, and painting via the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. Four of my pieces even achieved national recognition. Needless to say, art has always been a big part of my life. However, it was not until I started college that I really realized I wanted to make it my life.

I was accepted into Temple University’s School of Media and Communication in 2013 and I am currently an advertising major. Aside from my advertising coursework, I also take photography and graphic design classes. With my background in advertising, as well as in photography and graphics, my hope is to one day find a job as an Art Director.

On a very personal level, the appearance of things is important to me. I have the innate ability to see potential in things that many often overlook. I also have a very strong work ethic, I am a fast learner, and I work well in a team setting. Being given challenging tasks in which I have to test myself and rise to the occasion are what I live for. I am intelligent, confident, and I am capable. To end with a word of wisdom and one of my favorite quotes to live by, “always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.” - Og Mandino.