KZ: Hi Phoebe! Why did you choose to submit a self portrait for the 2023 Young Archie?

P: I chose a picture my mum took of me. It was from the first day of school with my hair braided into a crown for inspiration because every time I have to do something that makes me very nervous like speeches and the first day of school, she always does my hair special like this and it boosts my confidence. I even wore it the same way for the announcement ceremony. I was inspired by past Young Archie winners because I saw that they painted the shading of shadow and light so well. This is why I used my favourite dark and light colours to show light shining on my face.

KZ: Did you try anything different to your usual art style for the portrait?

P: Yes, I normally paint animals like cheetahs, giraffes and owls. I also like to paint my extended family members pets’ on canvas and give them as presents, so doing a portrait was new to me. I had started a new portrait drawing class, so it helped me sketch my face properly.

KZ: Do you have any future plans for your art and creative work?

P: I really want to take it to school and show all my friends and teachers. I also want to show my art teacher, Monika and then I will ask Mum and Dad to hang it on my bedroom wall.

KZ: Should K-Zoners enter the Young Archie competition?

P: Drawing and painting is so much fun. If you get the chance to enter the competition, you should. It was lots of fun getting my picture taken in front of my artwork and to show my family. It was cool to be recognised because I wore my hair the same when I was at the ceremony and lots of people said congratulations to me. My school also had a whole school assembly to watch me on TV and congratulate me.

Want to read our Heroes interview with Phoebe? Grab the September 2023 ‘Game Changers’ issue of K-Zone, on sale now!