Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get my inspiration from the artists I have learned about in our art classes. It is always interesting to see different ways people interpret the world around them. You can almost see into the artist's eyes for the first time sometimes. Seeing all these unique works of art over the years has helped me learn and develop my own way of demonstrating the way I see things as well. 

 

Why do you feel it is important to learn and create art?

I believe that it is important to learn and create art because you’ll never know what you’ll discover or what path you’ll go down. If I would never have touched art, I would definitely not be the same person I am today. Art has taught me how to create in so many different ways and imagine the world through many perspectives.

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Who is your favourite artist and why?

My favourite artist is probably Mary Cassatt because she shows people all the little moments that most people wish they appreciated more. I’ve always loved painting little moments, whether it’s just some birds perched on a log or a simple book with a candle, it reminds me to never take a moment for granted. 

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What has art taught you about yourself?

​Art has taught me to realize that I pay more attention than I thought I did. I never realized that I always watched the birds in the morning, or memorize their calls.  I never realized that I watched the way bees gather the pollen. Art has taught me to know that I love to slow down and have a simple routine. 

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What techniques have you learned and improved upon?

I have improved so much since I first came to your art lessons. I still remember my first painting of a butterfly wing where I covered it in glitter. Anyways I have definitely learned to not rush my process, I guess that’s what I really struggled on. I used to believe that getting it done fast was the best way to show skill, however now after years of your art classes, I have discovered that the best art comes from lots of care. 

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How has your creativity improved?

I am probably most proud of the flowers against the black background or that fish in a pond one that I did recently. It’s most likely because I love the way that it’s so easy to make the art stand out. In both paintings I can make the centre piece the main attention and have everyone see it in a different way. 

 

What direction do you want your art to take? Where do you want your art to take you next?

I would like to start making art to sell or display for myself.  I don’t make enough art at home so I would love to start making it a daily thing. For example I could just paint a bird in my tree or some book cover that I love, or inspired from. I just hope to be able to paint the things that go in noticed and display them around my room to make sure that they definitely go noticed. ​

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How has your creativity improved?

My creativity has improved in so many ways since I first started. When I was about 10 years old at your class, I didn’t know how to make the art works my own. You showed us these amazing pieces, and I knew how to create what you were teaching us on my canvas, but it still didn’t feel like it truly showed my own ideas and thoughts. Over the years of being at your class I have discovered how to add my own touch to my art, something that is creative and shows my view. 

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What advice would you give to a new student interested in studying art?

I would advise to never stop believing that you could be those artist who effortlessly make masterpieces. I had my rough points where I looked at my reference then down at my page and it didn’t look how I wanted it too. I doubted myself. I didn’t know that those artist who make the masterpieces were once at my level. Every professional was once a beginner!