For every Degas, there are a hundred also-rans, artists who did not quite make it.

But for 10th grade student Dakota Havard and 11th grader Savanna Spohn at Gulf Shores High School, the art world holds no fears. Both of them are accomplished artists, says their art teacher, Austin Boyd.

Havard likes to produce abstract images.

“I like to mess it up a little and produce something new,” he said. “There are really no mess-ups in art.”

Havard can’t remember how long he’s been doing art, but does remember something most kids encounter – a coloring book.

But, don’t expect him to stay in the lines. He can’t resist “doing something different.”

Spohn finds painting and drawing “relaxing.” She has been doing it since she was a child as well.

“I like to draw hands, flowers, plants and faces, too.”

Spohn has found art to be a great way to keep out of trouble.

“You are making something that shows your emotions,” she said, explaining that unlike a verbal outburst, most people don’t get angry after seeing her art. The extra time involved in creating something also allows her to put the incident into some perspective.

So, what is hard for Spohn?

“It’s really difficult drawing a straight line or a structure,” she said. She hopes to attend college, majoring in art and will perhaps follow in her mother’s shoes as a graphic designer. Right now, Florida College, Savannah College and the University of Alabama are her first choices.

For Havard, it’s a little too early to narrow down college choices, and his attitude is that “I will go wherever they want to take me.” He is hoping to go to school on the West coast, and wants to design skateboards and skateboard accessories.

And like a skateboarder, he has an attitude about people liking his art, which can range from Jackson Pollack-like abstracts to still life objects he finds at hand. Several things he’s found at the store where his mother works have made their way into his portfolio.

“You do what you want,” said Havard, “and if they don’t like it, too bad.”