The artist behind the “Eudaimonia” artwork
Above: DEVELOPMENT: Clarke Central High School junior Koah McClellan stands in the Eve Carson Memorial Garden with his art piece, “Development,” that was used for the 2026 iliad cover on May 6. While McClellan was commissioned to create the cover and subsection art for the 2026 iliad, he submitted and was published in the 2023, 2024 and 2025 iliads. “(Having my pieces published) felt good because it showed me that people were fond of the pieces that I made,” McClellan said. “Looking back at it now, my art has changed a lot and having those pieces published helps me see exactly how much it has changed.” Photo by Miriam Silk
2026 iliad artist Koah McClellan discusses his journey with art, the iliad and creating the cover and subsection art for “Eudaimonia.”
iliad Editor-in-Chief Margo McDaniel: How did you first get into art?
Clarke Central High School junior and 2026 iliad cover and subsection artist Koah McClellan: I was really into really bad anime (when I was younger). I would try to draw what I saw in the anime, and then eventually, my parents were like, “Oh, these are actually pretty good.” My dad is also an artist, and so he kind of latched on to that, and was like, “Hey, here's some things on how to get better and what you can do.” So I started watching a bunch of YouTube (tutorials), and I would spend a long time in my room drawing. And so over time, I just kept on doing it as much as I could, at least one piece every day. Now, I've been doing that for so long, and I'm probably going to continue doing that. (There’s) not really a limit with art. You can't reach a peak, so (you can continue) doing what you want.
MM: How do you express yourself with your art, and what inspires your pieces?
KM: I don't really enjoy creating (art based on) things that I feel because doing so would define me by my art. I rather enjoy painting expressions and moods that are common and creating characters that fit into a story. I tend to make pieces that depict skulls because there are so many different things that can be formed around them.
MM: How did you first learn about the iliad Literary-Art Magazine, and how did it feel when your pieces were published in 2023, 2024 and 2025 magazines?
KM: In middle school, I heard about the iliad through (Clarke Middle School’s) Media Center's librarian and thought it was a neat idea to showcase people's art through a magazine. I put my own work in so that I could support it. (Having my pieces published) felt good because it showed me that people were fond of the pieces that I made. Looking back at it now, my art has changed a lot and having those pieces published helps me see exactly how much it has changed.
McClellan’s Published Pieces in the iliad.
MM: What was the process for creating the cover and subsection pieces for “Eudaimonia”?
KM: My friend ended up giving me some raw canvas a while ago, and I figured if I was able to get the required sizes, it would be pretty easy to cut my own canvas and paint on them with acrylic. At first, I was getting (CCHS fine arts department teacher Heather) Garland to cut the pieces of canvas for me, but then I realized I could just do it at home. So, I would cut out the shape and then prime it with a gesso, and then sand it down. If it still had holes in it or something, I would prime it again and then sand it down again, because I cannot work with a textured surface with acrylic. After that, I would do a base sketch, and then I would put a base color down over the entire canvas, usually a warmer tone. Then, I would start with the darker values and work up, and then finalize and add details.
MM: What was your experience like trying to follow a theme? Was it hard to fit into a certain concept that we asked you to do?
KM: Given the prompts (for each section), I discussed with my family and the iliad directors what would fit their ideas best and came up with what is shown. I really enjoyed having a prompt because having a limit actually gives you more options, in a way. Just creating something out of your brain kind of hurts sometimes because you only use what you've learned. (However), if you're taking in information, then you can put out more information. If you have a limit, then you can work around it and play with it a bit more to stretch the limitations of that idea.
MM: Which was the most difficult piece to create, and why?
KM: The first inside page showcasing a young age, “Big Dreams,” was really tough because the general idea was outside of my comfort zone, and overall, it kept on looking messy no matter what I did with it. I ended up (having to) work on it over and over again. Eventually, I got it done, and it turned out how I wanted it, but overall, that one was the hardest.
Above: PLAYING WITH PROMPTS: CCHS junior Koah McClellan sits in the Eve Carson Memorial Garden with printouts of the “Eudaimonia” cover and subsection spreads on May 6. McClellan worked to follow prompts to create artwork that represented the 2026 iliad’s theme. “I really enjoyed having a prompt because having a limit actually gives you more options, in a way,” McClellan said. “If you have a limit, then you can kind of work around it and play with it a bit more to kind of stretch the limitations of that idea.” Photo by Miriam Silk
MM: Which piece was your favorite one that came out of this project, and why?
KM: I really like the third one, “Success,” because my mom helped me come up with the idea for it, and the composition was something that was still out of my comfort zone but closer to what I wanted to (convey). With the theme being relief or finding balance, it was difficult to come up with a composition that showed that emotion. Finding an expression that seemed comfortable but still responsible was tough, but eventually, I found one that worked. That, along with the background and pose of the character, ended up showing the emotion I wanted (it to).
MM: Did you learn anything when creating the art pieces for “Eudaimonia” that you will apply to your future as an artist?
KM: (Recently,) I have been working in my sketchbook way more than actually painting, and creating these pieces has shown me how much I actually enjoy working with acrylic. Something else that I have gotten from this is how to work with other people in a (project) like this. You can only get an idea across if you actually share it and collaborate.
Story by Margo McDaniel
Margo McDaniel is a senior and the Editor-in-Chief for the iliad Literary-Art Magazine at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia. This year, she hopes to help creativity flourish at CCHS by giving student artists and writers a space to create, grow, and express themselves. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.