By 7 a.m., the ceramics studio is already alive. Clay spins under tired hands, and Pinterest boards become portrait studies.

The life of a high school artist is a constant balancing act between education and creativity. Whether student artists arrive before classes to work in the ceramics studio or squeeze in a painting session, they find ways to express themselves despite busy schedules.

Although he is not in any art classes at the high school, junior Jonah Kleinbaum said he visits the ceramics studio throughout the day to work on his pieces.

“I have to wake up at 6:40 [for Z-Block], which is kind of a strain on me physically because I don’t get to sleep as much,” Kleinbaum said. “I can come in for any free block I want because [the ceramics teacher] knows me, and he lets all his students come in whatever.”

Lately, Kleinbaum said he moved away from functional mugs to complex sculptural pieces that require more patience.

“I’ll build something for three weeks with soft clay, and then I’ll dry it out really slowly over the course of a month. Pieces, from start until I can bring them home, will often take up to six months,” Kleinbaum said.

Senior Katherine Dougan said that art class is the most grounding part of her schedule. As a 2D artist, she uses a wide range of mediums.

“I do acrylic, oil, graphite, occasionally charcoal, watercolor and color pencil,” Dougan said. “I normally spend about two weeks on a piece, which is one to two hours a day.”

Junior artist Heather Kim said she tries to find inspiration for her artwork whenever she can. She is currently developing a series of three self-portraits that use flowers as a symbol for youth.

“I usually scroll on the internet, or go through Pinterest, and see if there are any inspirational pictures that either motivate me to draw, or give me new ideas. I also reference books,” Kim said.

Once the school day ends, artists continue to balance extracurriculars, sports and homework with their passions. Dougan said she spends every afternoon running, but that still finding time for art helps her stay relaxed.

“I’m definitely calmer when I do art. It’s an extreme sense of focus. It’s the only thing I’m focused on at [that] moment,” Dougan said.

Kleinbaum said that while school can be stressful, the openness of the art studio offers relief from that strain.

“I’m always happy when I’m there, and I’m always glad that I went in to work,” Kleinbaum said. “The process brings me a lot of joy.”