Page 131 - 2018 Western Amateur Commemerative Program—Skokie Ridge Country Club

WGA_Program_2018_V5__ 6/28/2018 3:47 PM Page 129

AN INTERVIEW WITH GRACE JAN:

CADDIE AND ARTIST

Q&A WITH GRACE JAN Describe your journey as an artist,
when did you discover your talent
How did you become interested in
and how have you developed it?
caddying for Sunset Ridge?
My nana and mom are both artists,
My dad and mom met while working
so I grew up in the art world. I was
on a golf course, and my dad is a golf
involved in art throughout my high
professional; I suppose it runs in my
school career, including taking AP
blood. We’ve also known Greg Kunkel,
classes in my senior year. I also was an
the caddie manager at Sunset Ridge,
art assistant, and that lead me to put
for years—so caddying here was “a
together multiple projects, teach
natural.” Although I’ve only caddied
classes, and show galleries at my high
here for three years, it feels like a
school. My portfolio has been accepted
lifetime, and I feel as though caddying
to the School of the Art Institute of
has made me who I am today. I’ve met
Chicago with a partial scholarship.
so many inspiring people and continue
I am currently attending classes at
to broaden my knowledge.
Oakton Community College to collect
general education credits with plans
Describe the process to select an
of transferring within two years.
iconic image for the program guide.
Sunset Ridge caddie and 2018 Western The caddie program is very successful What are your career aspirations?
Amateur Program cover artist, Grace Jan and thriving at Sunset Ridge. It allows
I’d like to be a visual artist for an
young caddies to grow into inspiring
Grace Jan is an 18-year-old artist from advertising agency or work with
adults. There are multiple scholarships
Glenview, Illinois, who caddies at students in a teaching capacity. I’d love
available that allow this growth to
Sunset Ridge. She recently completed to open minds to the creative aspects of
happen, including the Evans Scholars.
her freshman year of college and plans life—everything has to do with art.
Depicting both the clubhouse and
to pursue a career that utilizes her
several caddies in the illustration
artistic talent. She created the
represents how the membership fosters
illustration that is featured on this
the success of the caddie program—we
souvenir program, along with many
are a family.
of the promotional materials for this
tournament. In partnership with local
Describe the artistic tools/process
designer and Sunset Ridge member,
you used to create the illustration
Lynda Licastro, the materials have been and promotional materials
beautifully developed to communicate
the rich heritage of Sunset Ridge and After experimenting with several
its robust caddie program. different mediums, I chose to complete
the piece in acrylic. We took photos of
the clubhouse, golf course, and caddies
to use as reference pieces. We then
finished the elements using graphics
and computer work to pull together
each design.

Original watercolor used for the
2018 Western Amateur Program cover

2018 WESTERN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP Acknowledgements 129