Josh Dockum
Staff Reporter

Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael and Van Gogh represent just a few artists who have painted a lot of historical work, and NIACC art student Michele Homer hopes to use them as inspiration.

"I am very inspired by nature and I love to paint what I see,"Homer said. "It is much easier for me to get ideas from something that is right in front of me, and what better to look at than the things that are in my backyard. Flowers are probably one of my favorites."

Homer, who currently lives in Sheffield, is in her second year at NIACC where she is an art major.

Homer said since she was a little girl she's loved to be creative and remembers sitting in her grandma's restaurant drawing. "I remember sitting back on the cooler in my grandma's restaurant drawing on place mats that my grandma then hung behind her counter,"Homer said.

Homer said seeing her torn paper picture displayed at MacNider got her more and more interested in art.

"When I was in first grade, I think it was, I had a torn paper picture display at MacNider,"Homer said. "I think it was then that I knew this is what I loved to do. I'm not really sure where the artist part of me came from, but don't tell my family that."

Homer, who doesn't have a specific artist that she looks up to, said she remembers watching a lot of Bob Ross when she was little.

"You've gotta love those happy little trees,"Homer said.

Homer, who has enjoyed art all of her life, is taking her first painting class, but compared to her other art in general, these paintings are much more her style and much more expressive.

Her art instructor, Peggy Bang, is a reason Homer said she enjoys her painting class.

"She really lets you convey your own ideas in the assignments she gives us,"Homer said. "She doesn't want you to be limited on just the assignment's criteria. She lets you be creative in your own style. I've learned a lot from her." Bang said it's been enjoyable having Homer in class.

"Michele's very skilled in textures that she uses with her paintings,"Bang said.

Homer, who's undecided on what she's going to do after NIACC, said she's taking her time to decide.

However, Homer does have a few ideas about what she might like to do down the road.

"I always loved interior design,"Homer said. "Though I may go more into the business aspect so I could open my own artsy shop, something like a Trash to Treasure type store. I would love to do that."

Kara Naig
Staff Reporter

"He said Ōclose your eyes and come outside' as he led me out the front door,"Yogi Hernandez, a NIACC sophomore, said. Once outside, her fiancˇ revealed Hernandez's best friend whom he had flown in from Ohio.

Hernandez said her fiancˇ began planning the birthday surprise two years prior, saving $10- $20 when he could until he saved enough for the airfare and for a weekend getaway to the Mall of America for the two friends.

Not all men or women have the luxury of time, money or the forethought to pull off a gift this grand though.

Hernandez admits that there have been many inexpensive, romantic gifts she and her fiancˇ have exchanged over the four years they have been together.

Hernandez described several inexpensive ideas that qualified as romantic. At one time, Hernandez's fiancˇ sent her his football jersey.

Another instance, he left little notes in her car and around their home.

Yet another time, they have created music CD's for one another as gifts.

The creative ideas Hernandez described can also be found among many others on online resources such as http://www.theromantic.com or http://www.lovingyou.com. These Web sites provide lists of ideas for those who lack the creative streak to be romantic on a dime.

Cuddling on the sofa while watching a movie, giving a back rub and taking a moonlit walk are just a few ideas these Web sites give.

Whether you are looking for a birthday gift or simply to make a good impression, the ideas provide alternative options for those who are financially or creatively challenged.

"A guy is expected to sweep a girl off her feet all the time,"Hernandez said. Doing a few simple online searches could make your next gift giving experience priceless.