Since I was a kid, stories and art have always been what I found fulfilling to take part in. When I was in my junior year of high school my friend introduced me to an already-established artist who then went on teaching me for the next three years. Until then, my artistic journey had been shaped primarily by self-teaching and the limited offerings of my public school. While going through high school I had taken classes such as graphic design, art history, and even an advanced placement course. It was in those creative spaces where I truly thrived. Whenever I had the chance, you could find me in the art room. Growing up reading and writing and illustrating all of my own stories were what drove me. Now I have been reading more about philosophy and the importance of stories and their reflection on human culture. Artists in history that have made an impression on me are Artemisia Gentilechi and William Adolf Bouguereau. Two very different artists from different periods depict the human experience in unique and masterful ways. I find myself captivated by the narratives they conveyed with their mastered techniques. By pursuing an education in Art History, I aim to immerse myself in the rich artistic traditions of diverse cultures worldwide. This will not only deepen my appreciation for the art itself but also enable me to actively engage with the contemporary artistic expressions of our society. I want to utilize this knowledge to aid the creative individuals within my community. I have witnessed art being dismissed as insignificant. Art classes are underfunded or nonexistent in public schools. I desire to offer a way of support and instruction to young artists beyond the traditional American education system. I aim not only to teach technical skills but also to guide and inspire emerging artists to make a profound impact through their artwork. Art remains as vital today as it was in the past, because through artistic expression we invoke the feelings of the human experience, creating something truly beautiful. This scholarship will help me in attending college. By specializing in Art History I will have the necessary tools to bring my vision to life. It will allow me to explore art across various eras and cultures, giving me a deeper understanding of the creative endeavor of an artist. I will be better prepared to contribute meaningfully to the art community, advocating for the significance of art education and the power of stories through artistic expression. In conclusion, my passion for art, which was encouraged through my experiences as a self-taught artist and under the guidance of my mentor, has ignited a drive in me to pursue Art History in college. By dedicating myself to my education, I will help bridge the gap between historical artistic achievements and modern-day artistic endeavors, while also supporting artists within my community. Through my journey, I hope that I can help more people see the value of art as a means of depicting and celebrating the human experience.

When I look around for inspiration I find that what I am inspired by is not just how beautiful something looks. The story, no matter how simple, is even more important to me. People are my favorite subject matter for that reason. During my senior year of high school, when I was taking an AP art course, I decided that my concentration would be on the human body. My issue at the time was that I would need to use my body as a reference. I never liked my body and honestly thought it looked better covered up. Looking back at it I know I was dealing with body dysmorphia and never voiced it because when I would I was simply disregarded as someone looking for attention. My art saved me because by turning my body into artwork I put myself through a form of exposure therapy. I got used to looking at myself and not feeling sick from it. That is why the people in the world around me inspire me the most.

When I was seventeen I was offered to be taught by another artist directly. At that time I was going off what I had taught myself and what was being offered by my public school. I took an art class each year of high school as well as graphic design, art history and an AP college-level art course. Being in those classes was where I enjoyed school the most and was the place to find myself if I did not need to be anywhere else. I was awestruck stepping into my art mentor's home and studio every time for the three years I was taught. Everywhere I looked I was surrounded by paintings. Each painting was custom framed and neatly organized or displayed on the walls in a manner that covered any space there could be. William Adolphe Bouguereau is an inspiration of mine and going up my mentor's staircase put on view was a master copy of his work about five feet tall. Here I was able to explore avenues of art I was not yet aware of. I was taught mostly technical skills through creating original work and making master copies of my own. I was introduced to materials I either didn’t know about or could not afford and was taught how to use the materials effectively. My understanding of the work put into the creative process was expanded in such a way that is not available to the average high school student like me. When I started analyzing paintings from history I became more interested in the stories behind them and not just the technical aspect. By pursuing an education in Art History I will learn about art throughout the world and the cultures that were vital to the art itself. This, in turn, will have me more involved with the art of our modern-day cultures. I want to take this and turn it into an opportunity for the creatives in my community. I have often seen art be treated as insignificant and in my public school, art classes were often underfunded if funded at all. I want to help and teach young artists outside the stress of schooling. Not only will I teach technical applications but I can help artists make an impact with their artwork. Art is as vital now as it was in the past because through art we depict the human experience and that experience can be beautiful.

What Inspired this artwork is impossible to say. These hands mean more than I can put into words. They have gone through decades of hardship and witnessed cruel acts and stood against the test that is life. They stood against cruel people and acted with nothing but respect and love for others. Even after 96 years, these hands were the rock of my family. I decided to name this artwork Legend after my great-grandmother because that is what she was to me. The stories she shared were impactful, to say the least. Born in 1926 she grew up during so much that I was being taught about in school. When I was 15 I remember learning about Flappers and dances that were popular during her childhood. She even showed me what she remembered. She was born on the tail end of women's suffrage, watched the rise and fall of Hitler and even witnessed the JFK assassination on live tv. I learned so much more than I could of in school. She always told me how much I reminded her of her younger brother Jack. Jack was a creative dreamer. He would talk about people landing on the moon when it was considered crazy. He was also an artist just like me. Jack was never given the same opportunities I have had as a young artist able to pursue what I am passionate about. He struggled with dyslexia and never made it past the 8th grade when he was drafted into world war 2. He only ever talked once about the war and was never the same after it. He passed away because of liver cancer before the moon landing too. He was someone my great-grandmother always stood up for. There is more to being an artist than what you create. The impact art makes on you and the people around you is just as important. Everything, the bad and the good, she went through taught me important life lessons. Some of which I did not start learning until recently. The hands I have drawn in this piece are the loving hands of Violet Wallis. Who taught me how to be myself, who got me through rough periods in my life and who never faltered in her belief. I could say this drawing was inspired by her life but that would be an understatement. She had an impact on countless people in her life and my dream is to make an impact worth remembering just like her. This drawing was inspired by a Legend.