MARY BALDASANO / Special to the PVT Angelica McNerny shows off her abstract piece, "The Pond." Advertisement

Pahrump youth should always be recognized for its talents, and Angelica McNerny is no exception.

This young lady has such remarkable artistic talent that anyone who sees her paintings is impressed. What is really exceptional is the fact that she is 12 years old, and has only been painting since age 10.

McNerny is a seventh-grade student at Rosemary Clarke Middle School, where the opportunity to attend art classes is non-existent.

She receives guidance and instruction from members of the Pahrump Arts Council who have been painting for many years. Doris Smith, Dorothy Slikker and Paul Freidin are so proud of McNerny's talent that they find teaching her a real pleasure.

Her subject matter varies so much you might assume she must reflect her emotions by the colors she uses.

McNerny, however, states that "I am usually happy when I paint. But when I painted, 'The Snowie City' -- a dark and dreary painting sort of like Gotham City of Batman -- "I was kind of sad."

However, she adds, "When I painted 'Liquid Flames,' I was really happy."

The painting reflects red flames appearing seemingly from nowhere, and although it is on a black background, the flames are bright and cheerful.

In some respects you can also understand some of her mood by the application of texture. In "The Snowie City," the paint is applied thickly and with purpose, whereas in her other paintings, it is smoother and applied with care.

McNerny's talent is not limited to just abstracts; she also does landscapes and portraits. She can be contacted through the Pahrump Arts Council at 751-6776.

Freidin, one of her mentors, helped her with the painting "Dragon Fire." This painting is full of color from long, free-style strokes. When looking at it, a viewer can immerse himself into its strokes and lines and formations so much that more than one dragon can be found.

The painting is quite an accomplishment for one so young, but young or not, her talent for abstracts is impressive.

McNerny receives the full support of her parents and friends to achieve her highest level of talent. They all feel she has a very bright future. This support is essential to a young artist, and in her case it simply makes her even better.

For others who want to be artists, she says, "Keep trying and drawing. Read books on drawing. Don't be afraid to paint.

"I plan to be an engineer in the future, but will always have my art. It will probably be very useful. I'll be able to do some engineering in my art, and art in engineering," she added.

Local artist Dorothy Slikker says, "Her work with Doris Smith and Paul Friedin will help her find her voice in her art. I also work with her in my area of expertise, but her preference is abstract, and that's just fine."