“At my core, I long to create. Art has always served as a way for me to express what I’m going through, whether positive or negative. The idea of making something that has never existed before and can shape the way people think and evoke emotions is thrilling. In high school, I found myself overwhelmed by the modern expectations of adolescence and saw my peers silently struggling just as I was. I enrolled in AP Art & Design, hoping to express the complexities and experiences of life as an adolescent in the 21st century.

In my piece blue light, I aimed to convey the pressure and anxiety that comes with living in a largely digital world and to show how hard it can be for teenagers to escape the omnipresence of digital devices. Throughout the year, I continued to express similar themes, such as the struggle with my self-confidence, which I explored by painting an
unconventional self-portrait highlighting my acne and drawing still lifes that capture belongings and spaces that are important to me. I aim to elevate my art beyond simply drawing and painting, as art is a way to share ideas and perspectives, bringing to light new viewpoints for viewers to consider.
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