CANYON CITY Van Gogh has nothing on Humbolt Elementary students.

The first- through sixth-graders recently learned that rendering a self-portrait can be difficult, but possible and they successfully got the job done, said artist in residence Haley Hueckman.

Hueckman, a Canyon City resident, shared a resist technique using crayons and watercolors as well as lessons in drawing facial features over a two-week period at the school.

Im amazed at the talent level of the second-graders, she said, adding that all the students seemed to enjoy the art class.

The students used photos of themselves and included their hobbies and interests in the background.

Fourth-grader Rhea Meads portrait included her back yard with a trampoline and her cat Pearls.

Her classmates also had fun with their paintings.

Ellableu Coleman painted herself with her moms car, going on a picnic.

Palm trees were included in Hayden Myers picture, representing Hawaii.

I would like to go there, he said.

Hueckman, who has a visual arts degree with an emphasis in painting from Boise State University, has her own artwork on display at Roan Coffee Company in Prairie City. She plans to have an art exhibit there one evening this summer.

She works for the Forest Service and also does some graphic artwork for area businesses.

Shes a 2005 graduate of Grant Union High School in John Day.

It was fun to return to Humbolt, where she attended grade school, she said.

Mrs. Fieger was substituting the first week I was there she was my kindergarten teacher, Hueckman said.

She encouraged the students to draw and paint over the summer break.

I told them that when the weather is nice, I like painting outside, she said. You can paint how your back yard changes as the seasons change.

See more photos at www.MyEagleNews.com.