Art…Art is the purest method of self-expression. To an artist, the world is…the world, but in such a vision that cannot be seen by anybody else. There is one such artist within Oviedo High School’s campus, who is helping others see the artistic magic the world contains, and her name is Tonia Letzo.

Letzo teaches all two-dimensional art classes in Oviedo High School: Painting, Drawing, and Art 2-D. On the quest to discover what art really means, there are slim pickings when wishing to find this goal at Oviedo High School (with Natalie Sansone being the only other viable option or qualified person to cover this topic). 

Letzo has been practicing art since childhood, and enjoys surrealist art as inspiration.

“I like the kind of surrealist art. I would say that my biggest inspiration is Salvador Dali. I visited the museum a while back, and I would love to go back again,” she said.

Salvador Dali is one of the greatest and most influential surrealist painters. Dali believed that art was a way to turn the ideas of the imagination into an expression of reality. His explanation of art was one that fit his personality of eccentricity. More artists can also give an insight into their meanings of art.

“Another artist, M.C. Escher created art with mathematics, or like, math-oriented. He used incredibly detailed lines in drawings, lithographs, and stuff like that.” 

Maurits Cornelis Escher is one of the revolutionary artists of the twentieth century who changed the course of how art is made. 

“M.C. Escher is an artist I have always really admired,” Letzo said, “The sort of mathematical art is something I really find cool and unique.”

Though M.C. Escher was not valued by other artists as much as he should have during his lifetime, he devoted himself to art. Escher viewed art as a union of perspectives, applying both 3-D and 2-D perspectives into a joint-effort, meaning for him, art is a combination between differing points for the artist.

Letzo herself mirrors the art world. Although Letzo teaches 2-D art, 3D art is an institution of sale for the art teacher. “I can take twigs, or use silversmithing, or a lot of different things, and make these little things, like necklaces and bracelets.” 

The eBay store is Letzo’s side business, but her main job is trying to teach the youth what art would mean to them. The art students are also very appreciated in Letzo’s class. 

“It’s nice to see students working on their own. I like to see students being so involved that their attention is focused almost completely on their art.” 

Letzo can relate to this ‘bubble’ of focus. 

“My whole attention is focused on what I’m doing and nothing really distracts me. I shut my phone off, because I want no distractions.”

On the aforementioned topic, what is Letzo’s personal philosophy on art? That is simple. 

“Art to me is using your imagination and skills to create and invent anything!” 

Art is a thing Tonia wishes to devote her time to, and believes it is one of the greatest things that the human mind can concoct.