For many teenagers, after school can be a time for relaxing, watching TV and playing videogames. But for Alex Hoffmann, senior, he is more interested in creating a new piece of art.

Hoffmann, who was adopted from Russia as a kid, has been drawing since the first time he touched a pencil.

“I like being able to express certain issues,” Hoffmann said, “or just whatever is on my mind.”

Hoffmann describes himself as friendly and outgoing, but thinks there is a side to him that no one sees until they get to know him.

“I like all sorts of different music, but I am particularly influenced, and my artwork is influenced, by urban street culture,” Hoffmann said. “I have a very diverse personality.”

During his lunch period, Hoffmann is often working on art in Leslie Benben’s room. Benben, art teacher, has worked with Hoffmann since his freshman year and has enjoyed observing his works and watching him progress as an artist.

“I think he’s one of strongest artists in the senior class,” Benben said. “I’m drawn to the images he creates that have to do with nature.”

While drawing is one of his passions, Hoffmann is also very interested in science. In middle school, he was particularly interested in bugs. After rumors started saying he ate bugs, he acquired the nickname “Bug Boy.”

“Anyone who saw anything of that or heard anything of that is trying to start rumors,” Hoffmann said. “I’ve recently gotten it on the [down] low now. It’s not as prevalent as it was in the years of middle school and early high school, but it’s still kind of annoying.”

Hoffmann is attending Westminster College to study environmental science and meteorology. He would like to continue his artistic career through college, but any drawings will have to be on his own.

“The thing about my college is that they don’t offer very many opportunities that I could do my art in,” Hoffmann said. “The only art outlet there is photography.”

Hoffmann is also thinking about turning his passion into a business, but does not think he has enough pieces to start selling.

“I’ve got some that I could sell but I just need to accumulate [more] before I could sell them,” Hoffmann said.

Like many artists, Hoffmann has a favorite drawing he thinks is his best.

“My favorite piece I’ve ever drawn was a forest in April,” Hoffmann said. “The sunshine is very realistic, and it’s kind of like being in a forest in early morning.”