Art is nothing without context. For me, the meaning behind an artwork is created through the relationship between visual elements, personal experiences, and the emotions they evoke. I believe that visual and emotional context are some of the most important parts of creating meaningful artwork. it is an experience that allows viewers to connect with something deeper. I am fascinated by the emotions we experience but often cannot fully explain: nostalgia, curiosity, comfort, uncertainty, or a feeling that exists somewhere between memory and imagination. While I admire realism and the traditional foundations of painting, I have increasingly explored abstraction as a way to express emotions beyond literal representation. I am interested in creating works that feel alive and encourage viewers to bring their own experiences into the interpretation of the piece. Light and shadow are especially influential in my work. I love the way they transform ordinary surroundings and create new perspectives. A familiar subject can become something completely different when viewed through a change in lighting, color, or atmosphere. These small shifts in everyday life inspire me to explore how visual elements can communicate emotions without relying on words. My artistic journey has developed through years of dedication and exploration. After completing an Associate degree in Art through community college, I will continue my education by pursuing my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Over the past year, I have been fortunate to experience several opportunities that have helped me grow as an artist, including participating with ArtPop, completing personal commissions, and having my artwork featured on the news. The three pieces submitted with this application represent different parts of my artistic exploration. Each work reflects my interest in creating paintings that combine emotion, atmosphere, and visual storytelling!

My love for art began in childhood, during a time when creativity became my way of understanding and connecting with the world around me. As a child diagnosed with autism, I often found comfort and expression through making things. Art gave me a place where I could communicate emotions, ideas, and observations in a way that felt natural to me. I explored many different creative outlets, from graphite drawings to doll makeovers, DIY projects, and eventually painting. What started as curiosity slowly became a lifelong passion. In 2020, when I entered seventh grade, I began homeschooling. While this transition came with challenges, it also gave me the time and independence to dedicate myself more deeply to art. Without the structure of traditional schooling, I discovered that creating was not just something I enjoyed, but something I was driven to pursue. I spent countless hours practicing, studying, and developing my skills. Those early moments of exploration shaped the artist I am today. Now, at 17 years old, art has transformed from a childhood passion into a professional pathway, seeking opportunities to grow, share my work, and build a future through creativity. Since then, I have had the honor of being featured on the news, having my artwork displayed in Times Square, and having consistent commission. These accomplishments have motivated me to continue pushing beyond what I once thought was possible. One artist who deeply inspires me is Jason Anderson. His work speaks to me because of the way he transforms emotion into visual experiences. I admire how his paintings feel alive, almost as if they hold memories, movement, and feelings within the layers of color. I connect strongly with his ability to balance abstraction with intention. While I love realism and the foundations of traditional painting, I am equally drawn to abstract art because it allows emotions and ideas to exist beyond words. Before discovering Jason Anderson’s work, I explored the professional art world and realized that I wanted to create a career where my voice could be recognized. I have learned that many artists can become overlooked, with their work sometimes overshadowed by galleries or institutions. This inspired me to not only become a better artist but also to build my own platform and advocate for my work. Beginning my professional journey at a young age has given me valuable opportunities to learn, grow, and challenge myself. Attending the Savannah College of Art and Design after completing two years of dual enrollment college courses and earning my associate degree is the next major step in my artistic development. I am excited to learn from experienced artists, expand my technical abilities, and continue developing my unique perspective. Receiving this scholarship would significantly support my journey as a Fine Art student. Pursuing a career in art requires dedication, but it also comes with financial challenges. This scholarship would allow me to focus more fully on my education, my creative growth, and my goal of becoming an artist whose work creates meaningful emotional connections. I hope to continue creating paintings that, like Jason Anderson’s, do more than simply exist visually. I want my work to make people feel something.

Art has always been more than a hobby to me. As someone who is autistic, it became the place where I felt most understood. Growing up, I struggled to find close friendships, so I immersed myself in creating instead. I spent countless hours drawing and painting, determined to improve, and that dedication has grown into both my greatest passion and my profession. Over the past few years, I’ve been honored to see that hard work recognized. My artwork has been displayed in Times Square through ArtPop, (and soon will be in Italy!) I’ve received Young Masters Awards recognition in New York, won portrait competitions, and been featured on WCNC News. Each opportunity has reinforced my belief that art is what I am meant to pursue. Scholarships have been essential in making that dream possible. To reduce the cost of college, I took advantage of homeschooling by completing two years of dual enrollment, earning my Associate of Arts degree alongside my high school diploma. Even with those efforts, attending SCAD remains a significant financial commitment. I’m also applying to become a Resident Assistant to help offset housing costs, but every scholarship makes a meaningful difference. Looking back at how much I’ve accomplished in just three years reminds me that persistence creates opportunity. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of pursuing a fine arts education, but also allow me to continue investing my time and energy into becoming the strongest artist I can be.

My journey into painting began during one of the most difficult periods of my life. Growing up, swimming was a major part of who I was. However, after undergoing multiple knee surgeries, I was forced to spend long periods away from the activities and friends that had shaped my daily life. As time passed, many of those friendships faded, and I found myself searching for something that could give me purpose and a way to express myself. During that time, I attended a Bob Ross painting clinic. What started as a simple activity quickly became something much more meaningful. For the first time in years, I discovered something that felt natural to me. Painting allowed me to create, problem-solve, and communicate emotions that I often struggled to put into words. It gave me a sense of direction when I felt lost. After that experience, I committed myself to learning the craft. I studied under a private instructor for three years, developing my technical skills and learning the discipline required to grow as an artist. What began as a hobby soon became a passion and eventually a career goal. I started accepting commissioned work, which taught me how to work with clients, manage deadlines, and create meaningful pieces for others. The impact painting has had on my life extends far beyond the canvas. Through art, I have been given opportunities I never imagined when I first picked up a paintbrush. My work has been featured on WCNC News, I have been invited to participate in ArtPop, and my artwork is currently being displayed in Times Square. I have also exhibited in galleries, allowing me to connect with other artists and members of the community who share my passion for creativity. Perhaps most importantly, painting helped me rediscover confidence in myself. What began as a way to cope with physical setbacks and personal loss became a path toward a future I am genuinely excited about. Because of the opportunities art has provided, I have decided to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting at SCAD. To help accelerate that goal, I completed my Associate in Arts degree while still in high school. Painting transformed a challenging chapter of my life into one filled with purpose, opportunity, and growth. It taught me resilience, gave me a voice, and showed me that unexpected setbacks can sometimes lead to discovering the gifts that shape our future.

One thing I created to solve a problem was a community swim lesson program for younger swimmers on local summer swim teams. I noticed that many children wanted to improve their skills but did not always have access to affordable, personalized instruction. To address this, I organized and taught swim lessons myself, creating training plans tailored to each swimmer's needs. Through this experience, I learned how to manage schedules, communicate with families, market my services, and run a small business. Most importantly, I was able to help younger swimmers build confidence and improve their abilities in the water. If I had the money and resources to create a larger solution, I would focus on preventing litter from entering waterways and eventually reaching the ocean. Every year, millions of pieces of trash are carried from streets, parks, and neighborhoods into storm drains, rivers, and coastal ecosystems. By the time the waste reaches the ocean, it is much harder and more expensive to remove. Instead of focusing only on cleanup, I would create a system designed to stop litter before it becomes a larger environmental problem. Oftentimes, people don't stop to think about long term consequences when it comes to our planet. It's easy to overlook such a small thing, like a plastic straw. Combatting this mental laziness, I would network tons of smart trash and recycling stations placed in high-traffic areas near parks, beaches, schools, and waterways. These stations would use sensors to detect when bins are nearly full and notify local maintenance teams before trash overflows. The stations could also include sorting technology to help separate recyclables from regular waste, making disposal easier and more efficient. These also could have underground tunnels to separate them, similar to the sewers! To encourage public participation, I would develop a companion app that rewards people for properly disposing of litter and participating in community cleanups. Users can earn points by scanning QR codes at collection stations, reporting overflowing bins, or joining volunteer events. As someone who spends a great deal of time around pools and water, I have developed an appreciation for the importance of clean waterways. My experience running swim lessons taught me that solving problems often requires both practical solutions and community involvement. By combining technology, incentives, and education, I believe this project could significantly reduce litter before it reaches the ocean and help create cleaner, healthier environments for both people and wildlife.

Most of my inspiration comes from encountering things that feel unfamiliar. That sense of curiosity and awe is something I’ve learned to understand more deeply through travel. By stepping into new environments and experiencing places beyond my everyday life. I’ve been fortunate to explore different parts of the world, and each place has helped sharpen my artistic eye. I’m especially drawn to photographing textures and the ways environments shape a subject. Two of the images in my portfolio were taken in Ireland, where I was struck by the land’s rapid growth and lushness. It felt alive, constantly evolving, almost breathing as its own biome. The sunset photograph was captured on a quiet back road in Iceland. Because of Iceland’s unique atmospheric conditions, reds and yellows seem to filter through more intensely, creating a vivid and almost surreal sky. Something as mundane as doing laundry is such an odd thing to photograph. I found it interesting how all the different textures and peeling paint clashed. Another sense that photos don’t capture is sound. I could hear old Italian songs being played from this Venice family house, and I loved the way all of my senses were flooded with curiosity! My final image was taken in Alaska, where we waited patiently to see a whale. Interestingly, I found the environment itself just as powerful as the moment we were anticipating. The stillness, the scale, and the quiet anticipation made the experience feel just as significant as seeing the whale. Through my perspective, I’ve learned to use my camera not just to document what I see, but to capture how I experience the world.

Since COVID-19, I decided to transition to homeschooling, and that choice became a turning point in both my education and my personal growth. At first, it felt like stepping off a familiar path into something uncertain. However, as time went on, I realized that my education was not shrinking but expanding in a way that better suited me. I began to learn more deeply, more independently, and more confidently. What once felt like a setback slowly became a foundation for my future. While earning my high school credits through homeschooling, I took another leap by enrolling in dual enrollment courses at Central Piedmont Community College, where I began working toward an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts. To ease myself into the transition, I started with online classes. This allowed me to adjust to college-level expectations without immediately overwhelming myself. Even so, I vividly remember my first in-person class. Walking into that classroom felt like stepping onto a stage without a script. I was terrified of being surrounded by people again and unsure of how I would fit into that environment. Part of this fear came from my experience with Autism, which played a significant role in my decision to leave public school in the first place. Traditional school settings were challenging for me due to bullying, overstimulating environments, and the pressure of standardized testing. These experiences made school feel more like something to endure than something to enjoy. Homeschooling allowed me to learn at my own pace, which quickly became one of my greatest strengths. I could take the time I needed to truly understand concepts instead of rushing through them. However, homeschooling also came with its own challenges. While it allowed me to grow academically, it limited my social interactions. Over time, I became more isolated, and even simple conversations began to feel difficult. Situations that others might find routine, like group discussions or meeting new people, became obstacles I had to mentally prepare for. Even now, some of these interactions remain challenging for me. Because of this, the idea of attending community college in person felt overwhelming. When I finally stepped back into a classroom environment, I struggled at first. The long school hours, increased workload, and constant interaction were exhausting. There were moments when I questioned whether I had made the right decision. But slowly, things began to shift. I started meeting people who shared my interests, especially in the field of art. Being surrounded by individuals who were passionate about the same things I cared about made a significant difference. It helped me feel less alone and more understood. My professors also played an important role in this transformation. They recognized my abilities and encouraged me to challenge myself in ways I hadn’t before. They pushed me to explore different forms of media, experiment with new techniques, and participate in competitions. Through these experiences, I began to grow not only as an artist but also as a person. I started to take more risks in my work, and with each step forward, my confidence increased. This growth is reflected in the achievements I have earned along the way. Some of my artworks have been featured on ArtPop billboards, and I have received several awards, including second place in a Central Piedmont exhibition, Scholastic Art and Writing Gold Key, Silver Key, and several Honorable Mentions, and first place for my self-portrait at Mooresville Arts. These accomplishments are meaningful to me not only because of the recognition but because they represent how far I have come. Work that once existed only in my sketchbook has now become part of my portfolio, helping me gain admission to the Savannah College of Art and Design for the Fall 2026 semester. As I look toward the future, I hope to continue developing my artistic voice at SCAD by focusing on painting and fine arts. I want my work to go beyond simple visuals and communicate something deeper. My goal is to create pieces that feel alive, capturing movement, emotion, and the beauty in things that are often overlooked. I am especially drawn to using bright colors and expressive forms to evoke strong emotional responses. I want my art to feel like a moment frozen in time, something that can both calm and inspire the viewer. Beyond personal success, I also hope to use my education and artistic platform to make a positive impact. If I am able to gain recognition in the art world, I want to use that voice to advocate for causes that matter to me, including animal welfare and mental health awareness. My own experiences have shown me how important it is to feel seen and understood, and I want my work to reflect that for others who may be struggling. Having experienced both homeschooling and traditional classroom environments, I have gained a unique perspective on education. I have learned how to adapt, persevere, and grow through discomfort. These experiences have shaped not only my academic goals but also my sense of direction in life. They have taught me that growth often comes from stepping outside of what feels safe and familiar. In the end, education has been more than just a path toward a degree for me. It has been a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and transformation. It has helped me become not only a better student but also a more confident individual and a more passionate artist.

For me, community began in the water. I started competitive swimming at age eight and dedicated nine years to the sport, eventually earning the opportunity to compete at the Junior Olympics. Swimming became more than an activity. It was a space where I learned discipline, resilience, and the quiet power of showing up for both myself and others. My journey, however, was not a straight line. I faced significant setbacks, including a broken kneecap and three knee surgeries. Each time I returned to the pool, I carried not only my own determination but also a deeper understanding of what it means to struggle and to start again. That perspective shaped how I began to engage with others in my community. At fourteen, I transitioned from athlete to mentor by volunteering as a coach for my neighborhood swim team. I later became an assistant coach, working with swimmers ranging from ages four to eighteen. In that role, I focused not only on technique and endurance but also on fostering confidence and connection among teammates. I made it a priority to ensure that every swimmer, regardless of skill level, felt seen and supported. I understood that improvement looks different for everyone, and I worked to create an environment where progress, not perfection, was celebrated. Recognizing that some swimmers needed more individualized support, I took initiative and founded my own business, KittleKicks Swim Lessons, at age fourteen. Over the past several years, I have grown this program into a structured and reliable resource for families in my community. I designed personalized lesson plans tailored to each swimmer’s needs, managed scheduling and communication with parents, and developed a system that allowed me to maintain consistency and trust. As demand increased, I trained an assistant coach, expanding access to more swimmers who could benefit from individualized attention. Through this work, I have helped create a more inclusive environment by meeting swimmers where they are and giving them the tools to succeed at their own pace. Many of my students began with fear or hesitation in the water, but over time, they developed not only skill, but also confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Whether in the pool or beyond it, I strive to bring people together by fostering confidence, encouraging growth, and creating spaces where individuals feel valued. For me, community is not just something you are part of. It is something you actively build, one connection at a time.

Throughout my life, I’ve always been creative. Still, when I was younger, I stayed strictly with graphite. It felt safe. With a pencil, I knew how to control every line and shadow. I was too afraid not to be “good” at something immediately, so I avoided mediums that required more risk. Back then, art was just about technical skill to me. It was a hobby, and I wasn’t thinking much deeper than how something looked, as most kids would. As I've gotten older, I've had experiences and obstacles that have matured me and led me to a new direction in art. It was more about connection now, about translating something internal and invisible into something others could feel. I’ve always believed everything is art if you look at it the right way. Life is fun! Two years ago, I stepped outside my comfort zone and enrolled in an extracurricular painting class. I remember how uncertain I felt at first. Paint is less predictable than graphite, more fluid and forgiving in some ways, but also more demanding. Very quickly, though, I fell in love with it. Painting allowed me to loosen up. It taught me that mistakes can become texture, and that bold color can say a lot. It felt alive in a way graphite never had. Through this class, I found more than a new medium; I found a community. The studio became a second home. Most of the students were senior citizens, and being surrounded by artists with decades of life experience gave me a perspective I couldn’t have gained elsewhere. Their advice went far beyond what my peers taught me; they shared stories about resilience, discipline, and creative courage. Having conversations with such mature adults pushed me to grow up in the best way. I learned to take myself seriously as an artist while still keeping joy at the center of my work. I’ve also been able to give back to the studio that shaped me. By connecting photographers I know with the studio for publicity, I contributed to its growth and visibility. As I developed my skills, I began submitting work to competitions and was honored with Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: one Gold Key, one Silver Key, and two Honorable Mentions. Those awards affirmed that taking risks had been worth it. They encouraged me to bend my style further, experiment more boldly, and trust my instincts. Not long after, I was accepted into my dream college, the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I’ll be attending in Fall 2026 as a Painting major. Painting has enhanced my life by giving me confidence, community, and direction. It has shown me that growth happens when you’re willing to be uncomfortable and be humble.

I have recently experienced lots of great collaboration and critique during my dual enrollment path at Central Piedmont Community College. Previously, I was homeschooled, so having this surge of creative feedback has only pushed me further. I have made friends, found a roommate, close teachers I can ask for help from, and a loving community. Collaboration in my intended field is a network. Painting is typically done by one person or a team that has a specific requirement. But the collaboration on a networking and business level is woven very tightly. Everyone wants to succeed, and I have noticed that people tend to give more guidance with these little favors. I honestly like the quiet time during painting, and feel much more relaxed that way. Still, critiques have helped me round myself out and strengthen areas I didn't even know existed! Around the same time I started dual enrollment, I picked up painting. It was simply an extracurricular, and honestly, I was happy in my small bubble of friends. I was mistaken about how much this medium would change my life! My painting teacher took me in very quickly, and I have learned so much about my future and the medium. Once I started painting, everything became much clearer on the path I wanted to take. I knew from the start that I would benefit mentally, and it would be my career. I had the opportunity to apply for the Scholastic Art and Writing competition, and two of my paintings have gotten honorable mentions. Two photographs have gotten keys! I have also entered my paintings into galleries and other scholarship opportunities. I never knew how much could branch from a medium I rarely touched. The majority of the students in the class are well into their fifties, which has matured me. I delve into topics, collaborate on ideas for paintings, learn life lessons, and get advice from my peers. On a smaller scale It’s a network as well! I have sold paintings to my peers from this class, and family and friends are starting to commission me as well. Additionally, attitude and passion really can change people's opinions on you, and I have grown so much mentally from attending these events. I agree with Pam Branchini on how collaboration shapes relationships and your future. I would not be where I am today without these opportunities, and I encourage other young artists to step into this collaborative world!

The movie that has had the greatest impact on my life is Robots (2005). I first watched it as a child when I was about three. My dad had just left his job to become a freelance industrial designer, and my mom stayed home with my sister and me. Creativity filled our house. I built things constantly, drew endlessly, and fixated on stories that made sense to me. As an autistic kid, I often hyper-focused on media that felt structured and meaningful. The film follows Rodney Copperbottom, a lower-class robot made of spare parts who dreams of becoming an inventor. He idolizes Bigweld, a famous innovator whose motto is, “You Can Shine, No Matter What You’re Made Of.” Rodney travels to Robot City believing talent and heart matter more than status. Instead, he discovers that Bigweld Industries has changed. The company is now run by Ratchet, who pushes expensive upgrades and encourages robots to replace themselves with newer models. The slogan is replaced with, “Why Be You, When You Can Be New?” As a child, I loved the bright colors and funny characters. As I’ve grown older, I see something deeper. The conflict between “being you” and “being new” feels incredibly relevant in the age of artificial intelligence. In the movie, robots are pressured to upgrade constantly or be labeled “outmodes.” They are told their original parts are outdated, inferior, and disposable. That fear of being replaced mirrors how I feel about AI today. As a painter, I often think about the difference between human-made art and AI-generated images. Painting is slow. It requires patience, physical movement, emotional processing, and countless small decisions. AI, by contrast, can generate thousands of polished images in seconds. It can mimic styles, replicate compositions, and even imitate the work of living artists. In a world that values speed and profit, it can sometimes feel like the message has shifted from “You Can Shine” to “Why Be You, When You Can Be New?” But Robots challenged that idea. Rodney doesn’t win by upgrading himself into something trendier. He wins by repairing others, by honoring their original parts and helping them function again. The revolution in the film is not about rejecting technology altogether; it’s about rejecting the belief that worth is tied to constant replacement. That message has stuck with me. Painting, like Rodney’s inventing, is about care. It’s about maintaining something human in a world that moves quickly toward automation. The “robots” in the film aren’t really about machinery, more so about identity. The outmodes represent anyone who feels left behind by rapid change. Their struggle isn’t against progress itself, but against a system that treats individuality as obsolete. When Bigweld returns and stands with them, it reinforces the idea that innovation should uplift people, not discard them. Robots shaped how I see creativity and my own future. It reminds me that value doesn’t come from being the newest version of something. It comes from originality, resilience, and community.

I have seen firsthand the pros and cons of an entrepreneurial career with my father, which has given me a glimpse of this career path. I had the privilege to start up my own business for Swim lessons, which I schedule online, manage invoices, and create customized lessons. It's been going strong for four years now, and I have been able to cap my prices at forty an hour. Painting is one of the many branches of creative work, and creative work takes different deadlines, work environments, and lifestyles. Giving myself the ability to craft the best work output routine is the key to success. With the extra experience under my belt, I have an advantage. I have a general idea of what I would need to sacrifice to make ends meet, whereas most don't know where to draw the line. I have read many business and art books, and know how they correlate. I have been given the amazing opportunity to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design for the fall 2026 term, majoring in Painting and Fine Arts. Acknowledging the financial toll that SCAD holds, I have taken prerequisite classes at my local Community college, highlighting my planning skills and determination. I am graduating with an Associate's in Liberal Arts at the time of completing my high school diploma, and transferring to the Savannah College of Art and Design. Making a living as a painter would be at least 40% paperwork and business. Knowing how to do that from my Swim lesson business, I can prioritize my artistic work. An overall successful life for me would be moving abroad to the UK, where there is a basic income for artists. That would be a high passive income for a painter, which I can put towards a proper studio. I want flexibility in my life, the ability to go on vacation or explore like I have been able to in my childhood with my family. A creative job is…still a job. I would need to prioritize selling and networking first, which I have been doing with commissions. This would help me to free up time later in life. I'm already working on my personal brand and developing my ideal client. I plan to live small until I can expand. I am working towards the end goal of getting into large auction houses and into national galleries for my unique pieces. I want to be remembered as an innovative, kind, creative, and strong businesswoman and artist.