Before I ever acknowledged what art meant to me, it was the language I used to understand the quiet world around me. My love for art stemmed from the solitude I experienced throughout my childhood. We were not in the most stable situation. My father worked until the sun went down, my mother spent her days cleaning and cooking while I sat alone. Alone, I'd fill the silence using my imagination. Since we struggled financially, I learned to create joy from the simple things. Bottle caps became the stable foundation of my dirt pies, cardboard boxes transformed into skyscraping buildings for my toys, and blankets draped over chairs became tents where endless stories unfolded. I always knew that I loved colors. The bright illustrations in children’s books captivated me so much that the words around them became a blur. I spent minutes studying every shade, mesmerized by the emotions they conveyed. One of my favorite memories was accompanying my father to Home Depot when he was not busy. While he searched for supplies, I wandered to the paint color swatch aisle, hooked by the endless rows of colors. I imagined what each shade could become, and the wall of tiny paint samples filled me with excitement. Without realizing it, art became more than just a way to pass the time; it became a place where I could express feelings I did not yet know how to put into words. My earliest drawings became reflections of the world I carried inside my mind. As I entered high school, art became more than an escape; it became resilience. Moments that once felt easy to navigate were interrupted by pounding headaches that lasted for hours, making it difficult for me to focus in class or enjoy the activities I once loved. During those moments, doodling became my comfort. The soft graphite moving across the paper quieted the buzzing sensations in my head and gave me a sense of control. Eventually, my doctors diagnosed these headaches as chronic migraines. Although the diagnosis changed my daily life, I refused to let it define my passion for art. Instead, drawing reminded me that I could still make progress even on my most difficult days. I learned to accommodate, be patient with myself, and continue despite obstacles beyond my control. Every artwork reminded me that while I could not always change my situations, I could create something meaningful from them. An artist who substantially influenced my perspective is Frida Kahlo. I admire how she transformed pain into artworks that reflected her identity instead of letting it silence her. Seeing that she embraced vulnerability taught me that hardship does not ruin creativity; instead, it deepens it. Like Kahlo, I use art as a form of communication when words become difficult to retrieve. My experiences with isolation and chronic migraines have shaped my outlook, allowing my artwork to express emotions I cannot clarify. Her resilience reminds me that challenges do not prevent creativity from flourishing. Instead, they form an artist’s voice. Throughout every stage of my life, art has become more than just a skill. It is the foundation of who I am. From transforming ordinary objects into childhood creations to finding comfort through drawing, art has guided me to understand perseverance, self-expression, and the significance of finding beauty in every experience. Art gave me a voice when I struggled to find one, and I hope to use that voice to support others so they can find the same comfort, resilience, and imagination it gave me.

Hi, my name is Jasmin Sosa, and I am from Irving, Texas. I grew up in my home, constantly isolated. I learned to use my creativity the day I picked up a sheet of paper and crayons. I’ve always loved creating art ever since I was a child. When I looked at books in school, rather than reading the letters, I stared at the colors and drifted into the playful imagery in my head. Since I was young, I knew I wanted to be an artist. As I grew up, I gained the ability to create artworks with painstaking attention to detail. I love creating emotional yet colorful pieces that bring meaning to the world. However, in my junior year of high school, I developed severe chronic migraines. This made me constantly struggle with my assignments and art, as I sometimes had to prioritize rest over work. There would be days when I would just stare at the ceiling, feeling no sense of hope. However, I remembered how my younger self would draw every day, constantly seeking improvement and having the motivation to do so. I got up from my bed and began to work on my drawings. I would work for hours constantly and do it in the span of days, creating everlasting pieces that were recognized across the city. My goal is to someday work in the art field, either as an artist or an art teacher. I would like to share my techniques with students and help motivate them while making their pieces, giving them the motivation I needed when I was in high school. I wanted to show three of my best works, two of which are made from colored pencil, and one was made digitally.

While some choose to run away from their anxiety and depression, I've discovered how to turn it into something beautiful. Depression and anxiety have kept me isolated for years. I've always felt out of place among people. My inability to convey my emotions made me keep them all bottled up inside. It wasn't until I got into drawing that I managed to find peace. It made me realize that art can help you deal with difficult situations. In addition, it finally gave me confidence. At times when I couldn't find my place among other people, I felt like my vulnerability could still create something wonderful and unique. During my childhood, I've experienced difficulties fitting in among my classmates, which increased my anxiety. I was obsessed with drawing because it provided me with an opportunity to express feelings that I didn't know how to put into words. When I was feeling overwhelmed, I'd grab a page of my sketchbook, pick up a pencil, and draw on paper rather than keep them bottled up inside me. As I practiced drawing, it became something special where I could find relief as I could focus and feel tranquil. Eventually, this activity became my safe place as it was relieving to have something to focus on as I had the power to manage it. Even though I always felt like I did not belong in society, art was a place where I was accepted, regardless of the fact that I was accepting myself. Since then, the process of creating has become more than just a source of comfort. My constant practice helped me improve greatly, and with my improvement came a feeling of confidence that I hadn't experienced for many years. Finally, I felt like I was good at something; instead of being obsessed with my anxiety, I concentrated on improving my work. With each piece of art that I made, I gained a sense of satisfaction, which allowed me to see myself in a different light. This process of escapism became the source of my belief in myself. I became stronger than ever as my artworks were appreciated not only by me but also by my teachers and district representatives. All of these experiences keep reminding me that there is still room for growth for me as an artist and an individual. Initially intended to be my personal therapy, these practices have become something that gives me the ability to positively affect the lives of others. For example, once, my boyfriend had to give away his dog because of hard times that he was going through. Wanting to comfort him, I decided to draw him a picture of his dog as a way to honor its memory. Using a white colored pencil, I sketched an image of his dog on black paper, creating a detailed picture by applying precise strokes to replicate his dog’s fur and adding some shine to its eyes. When I gave it to him, he cried and told me that it was the most beautiful thing anyone ever did for him. At that point, I understood that art became not just a tool for coping with my feelings but a source of joy and pleasure for others. Since that day, I have been dreaming of pursuing a career as an artist and bringing people pleasure with my works of art. Art has taught me that my problems cannot dictate my life, but that I can turn them into something that is significant. I want to keep creating art to express myself and affect people around me in a positive way.