Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. A few hours after I was born the pediatrician told my parents that I would be very artistic because of the way I moved my hands. She even said my art would not be limited to how I see the world, but rather how I experience life by touching and feeling my surroundings. My parents didn’t share this with me until I was in high school because how could she have possibly known what a newborn would become by the way they moved their hands? Well, 18 years later and I am going to Western Illinois University to pursue my BFA. As a child, I would pick up a crayon and draw whatever popped into my mind. Nothing could stop me, not even the edge of the paper. Then I started elementary school and learned the importance of detail and staying inside the lines. I have to say that I was blessed to have amazing art teachers growing up. I am grateful for Ms. Holm and Mrs. Wood. They taught me that it is OK to explore new techniques and push myself beyond my comfort zone because that is what allows us to grow as an artist. Because of their guidance I was able to study various artists throughout history and as cliche as it might sound, Van Gogh is the artist that truly changed how I viewed art. I realize it isn’t original for an artist to choose Van Gogh, but his work allowed me to feel safe in trying new techniques and expressing myself outside of the “traditional” lines. Each piece he created challenged movement through his technique and colors of choice. He allowed me to feel comfortable creating art in my own style. I had an art teacher that wanted students to always have perfect technique and perfect lines. It always made me feel like my art was fake. Then I was reminded in high school that art is not limited to one perspective. That is when Van Gogh rescued me as an artist. He paved the way that allowed me to feel safe in creating art in my own way. Studying his pieces helped remind me that it is ok if my perspective is off, as long as it made a piece look interesting or had a purpose. Van Gogh created some of his art to look semi-realistic by the way he moved the material, colors, or the perspective lines off center. He pushed the boundaries of the art world with every piece. My high school teacher, Mrs. Wood, really drilled the importance of looking closely at each artist's piece because that is how you get to know them on an intimate level. Each piece shares a glimpse of who they are by how they use the material. I try to express emotions through my art by using certain materials and how I apply it to the surface through shape, composition, moventment, color, and line. Pursuing art at a higher level requires self discipline and determination. Van Gogh himself created more than 2,000 pieces of art in his lifetime. I am honestly very driven and enjoy creating so much that time stands still when I work. Van Gogh painted a path for young artists like me to be able to create without the fear of having to conform to perfection. Art is the freedom to express how we see the world and I am forever grateful that I get to share my perspective.

Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. A few hours after I was born the pediatrician told my parents that I would be very artistic because of the way I moved my hands. She even said my art would not be limited to how I see the world, but rather how I experience life by touching and feeling my surroundings. My parents didn’t share this with me until I was in high school because how could she have possibly known what a newborn would become by the way they moved their hands? Well, 18 years later and I am going to Western Illinois University to pursue my BFA in Fine Arts. As a child, I would pick up a crayon and draw whatever popped into my mind. Nothing could stop me, not even the edge of the paper. Then I started elementary school and learned the importance of detail and staying inside the lines. I have to say that I was blessed to have amazing art teachers growing up. I am grateful for Ms. Holm and Mrs. Wood. They taught me that it is OK to explore new techniques and push myself beyond my comfort zone because that is what allows us to grow as an artist. Because of their guidance I was able to study various artists throughout history and as cliche as it might sound, Van Gogh is the artist that truly changed how I viewed art. I realize it isn’t original for an artist to choose Van Gogh, but his work allowed me to feel safe in trying new techniques and expressing myself outside of the “traditional” lines. Each piece he created challenged movement through his technique and colors of choice. He allowed me to feel comfortable creating art in my own style. I had an art teacher that wanted students to always have perfect technique and perfect lines. It always made me feel like my art was fake. Then I was reminded in high school that art is not limited to one perspective. That is when Van Gogh rescued me as an artist. He paved the way that allowed me to feel safe in creating art in my own way. Studying his pieces helped remind me that it is ok if my perspective is off, as long as it made a piece look interesting or had a purpose. Van Gogh created some of his art to look semi-realistic by the way he moved the material, colors, or the perspective lines off center. He pushed the boundaries of the art world with every piece. My high school teacher, Mrs. Wood, really drilled the importance of looking closely at each artist's piece because that is how you get to know them on an intimate level. Each piece shares a glimpse of who they are by how they use the material. I try to express emotions through my art by using certain materials and how I apply it to the surface through shape, composition, moventment, color, and line. Pursuing art at a higher level requires self discipline and determination. Van Gogh himself created more than 2,000 pieces of art in his lifetime. I am honestly very driven and enjoy creating so much that time stands still when I work. Van Gogh painted a path for young artists like me to be able to create without the fear of having to conform to perfection. Art is the freedom to express how we see the world and I am forever grateful that I get to share my perspective.