My first year of high school was very difficult for me. I was in a bad place mentally and physically, and was struggling to function; as a result, I ended up hospitalized for three months. It was there that I was introduced to the concept of "art therapy". I was skeptical about the concept at first, but as the weeks went by I found that it was incredibly cathartic to put the jumble of thoughts and feelings in my mind to paper as a piece of art. I bought myself a set of crayons and spent every free moment doodling, using art as both an outlet for my darkest thoughts and an expression of my inner child. I still have those crayons five years later, and they serve as a testament to the long and winding road of my recovery. When COVID struck mere weeks after my discharge, I was incredibly saddened that I wouldn't be able to truly interact with the world the way I wanted to now that I was healing. But, in a moment of reflection, I recalled how helpful it had been for me to put my energy into art. I decided that while the quarantine was in effect, I would put real effort into refining my skills as an artist. Every day, I would draw a face I found on Pinterest, experimenting with different techniques and mediums. I made an Instagram account to document my progress and gained a small following that consisted mainly of my very supportive family members. As the months passed, my bedroom wall was covered in my efforts, especially as I moved towards more conceptual art. That drive that pushed me so strongly has definitely waned, especially as my free time dwindled during college, but it never really left. Art has and always will be the easiest way for me to organize or exorcise my mind. While I know that not everyone has a goal of making their art into a career or lifelong hobby, I still think it is good for the heart and the mind to "let loose" and make something just for the fun of it. I want people to know that anyone can make art, and the quality of the finished project doesn't matter as long as you had fun making it. I feel like art is "gatekept" as something that you only do if you're really good at it, and there is less art in the world as a result. If I convince even one person to make art for the sake of making it, I would feel accomplished as an artist. It's so important to let your mind run free and do what it wants for a little while every now and then, and art is the perfect way to do this. Whether doodling a silly little guy or creating a large-scale oil masterpiece, the world is better for the art people make, and everyone can find something in it.

I chose to pursue teaching art as a career because I know firsthand how much it can mean to someone in a bad place. Art gave me an outlet to express unhealthy thoughts and emotions, and provided me with a safe space in which I was able to fully explore and understand myself. My art teachers, especially in high school, continue to inspire me in this regard. My ultimate goal is to be to my future students what my art teachers were to me; a support system, a listening ear, and a hand to hold. My other goal in pursuing this line of work is to foster a love of art in children, especially high schoolers. While I know that not everyone has a goal of making their art into a career, I still think it is good for the heart and the mind to "let loose" and make something just for the fun of it. I want people to know that anyone can make art, and the quality of the finished project doesn't matter as long as you had fun making it. I feel like art is "gatekept" as something that you only do if you're really good at it, and there is less art in the world as a result. If I convince even one person to make art for the sake of making it, I will feel accomplished as a teacher and an artist. The world is a dark and complicated place, but art can bring a little spark back to it; fostering a love of creation in students would make it that much brighter, and I want to help this as much as I can.

Art has always been an outlet for me and my emotions. It was and is a means of expressing experiences and feelings that I couldn't fully verbalize. I always found it easier to paint my feelings; whenever I was going through a rough patch in my life the first thing I would turn to was my sketchbook. The act of creation also gives me a way to show my love for things I'm passionate about. If a song or book is particularly moving, I am able to make something that shows its impact on me. Above all else, I find art to be both enjoyable and cathartic. I started young, pouring my heart and soul into each crayon drawing and watercolor painting. I entered several art contests in elementary and middle school, which only fueled my creative passion. I loved Van Gogh and M.C. Escher, and frequently attempted to emulate their styles of art. As I approached high school, I learned more advanced techniques and mediums and was given the opportunity to experiment. My bedroom was covered in graphite drawings and acrylic paintings as I figured out what subjects and mediums I liked best. Freshman year of high school was difficult, as I was in a deeply abusive relationship and battling an eating disorder for which I would later become hospitalized. While in hospital, my urge to create fuelled me; while I didn't pursue art with the fervor I had in years previous, I still used it as a means of escape. It served as an expression of my fears and traumas in one of the darkest hours of my life. To put my thoughts on paper was akin to exorcising them, and I was ultimately able to persevere in my recovery by using art as a coping mechanism. In early 2020, the pandemic struck, and I found myself unable to leave the house. With virtual classes taking up a mere hour or two of my day, I had all the time in the world to further my artistic skill. I went through sketchbook after sketchbook, drawing almost nonstop. In that time, I realized I wanted this to be my life. I wanted to make a career out of art; I wanted this to be how I spent my days. This was only solidified in my junior and senior years of high school, when I had the privilege of being taught by three amazing teachers who had a profound impact on me. Because of them, I have decided to pursue a career in art education, with my ultimate goal being to get a job as a college professor. Art has been there for me from the beginning, and I intend for it to continue to be there until the end.