Art has always been a foundational part of my life. Whether it be using off-brand, old crayons to draw on the back of diner placemats, or deciding which colors of blue and greens are going to be my base in another illustration piece. I was always a self-taught artist. From an extremely young age, I began to sketch things in nature, my pets, and some form of abstractions of life. I learned the basic knowledge of contrast, shading, and depth. From elementary school to my freshman year, I continued to teach myself. I enrolled in my first digital art class as a freshman; admittingly thinking nothing of it. After meeting my graphics teacher I realized that they were going to be a fundamental person in my art career moving forward. Working alongside and being mentored by them for the last four years I was able to not only learn more about different forms of art and styles, but I was also able to fall more in love with art. I am currently a senior enrolled at High Point Regional High School. I am currently taking three art classes and student teaching for two. I’m enrolled in Graphic Design 4: Illustration Honors, AP Photography, and Crafts 1: Ceramics & Mixed Media. I decided to take all three of these art courses to ensure that I get as much of a well-rounded art experience for when I attend college. For my student teaching periods, I work alongside my graphics teacher, aiding him in his Graphic Design 1 and Graphic Design 2 courses. For these two classes, I work with my graphics teacher in helping our students, teaching and creating lessons, and having first-hand experience in the classroom from a teaching standpoint. Due to me working towards my BFA in Art Education, I wanted to use these experiences to help me prepare for student teaching in college and when I achieve my certification. After graduating high school in June of 2023, I will attend Kean University. During college, I will work towards achieving my BFA in Art Education. My number one influence in pursuing my art career is my current graphic design teacher. Working under his wing for four years, I have seen myself not only blossom into a talented artist- thanks to being his apprentice and learning many skills- but also a stronger and better person. Being the first true, positive influence on my life and art career. He became the first person to push me in a progressive direction, and my gratitude for him is strong. Having this dynamic within the classroom has made it clear to me that my determination and work ethic to push myself to receive my education degree in art will pay off in the long run. I am hopeful in the future to pass it forward- his skills that I have practiced and grown from, but also his willingness to be helpful in all aspects- to my future students the lessons and skills I have learned! If it weren't for my graphics teacher I would not be as confident as I am within my artistic abilities!

My name is Madison Sales. I am a senior at High Point Regional High School in New Jersey. After I graduate high school in June of 2023, I will be attending Kean University. Ever since I was a child, I always aspired to work in the field of art. Art was the only subject that felt natural to me. With every decision of color, placement of line, and subject selected, I felt a sense of contentedness within myself. Throughout my schooling career in my elementary years, it was expressed that fighting for a place in the field of art was the most challenging career choice to make. I was told that there were already Picasso and Van Gogh. So, I decided to become the first Madison. I knew that it was going to be an extreme fight to work through becoming a freelance artist; especially with the modern shift that has been taking place; so, I decided on art education. With my students in the future, I want to continue to pass teachings forward, but with my own twist. Going back and forth in conversation to find the perfect fit for me, I continued to increase my work ethic. I scheduled my senior year to allow time to learn different mediums of work. By taking crafts, Ap photography, and level four of Graphic Design, I can continue expanding my knowledge of art. And too, I student teach for two levels of Graphic Design alongside my graphics teacher. The longer I am in the classroom student teaching the more I learn about not only expressing fundamental lessons but also learning about the importance of a student-teacher relationship. I am confident that the students I have the privilege of teaching will continue to use their knowledge of both programs and also continue to strive for great things. This subject of seeing the growth and brilliance of my students is something I take to heart, and will greatly miss when I graduate in the spring season. With the help of the Graffiti Arts Scholarship, I would be able to have an opportunity to continue my pursuit of art with less worries about college payments. Every penny spent towards my schooling will be used keeping in mind my future students who I want to guide to greater things while expressing themselves in art. I long for a classroom of my own and this scholarship will allow me to be one step closer!

My name is Madison Sales. I am a senior at High Point Regional High School in New Jersey. After I graduate high school in June of 2023, I will be attending Kean University. Ever since I was a child, I always aspired to work in the field of art. Art was the only subject that felt natural to me. With every decision of color, placement of line, and subject selected, I felt a sense of contentedness within myself. Throughout my schooling career in my elementary years, it was expressed that fighting for a place in the field of art was the most challenging career choice to make. I was told that there were already Picasso and Van Gogh. So, I decided to become the first Madison. I knew that it was going to be an extreme fight to work through becoming a freelance artist; especially with the modern shift that has been taking place; so, I decided on art education. With my students in the future, I want to continue to pass teachings forward, but with my own twist. Going back and forth in conversation to find the perfect fit for me, I continued to increase my work ethic. I scheduled my senior year to allow time to learn different mediums of work. By taking crafts, Ap photography, and level four of Graphic Design, I can continue expanding my knowledge of art. And too, I student teach for two levels of Graphic Design alongside my graphics teacher. The longer I am in the classroom student teaching the more I learn about not only expressing fundamental lessons but also learning about the importance of a student-teacher relationship. I am confident that the students I have the privilege of teaching will continue to use their knowledge of both programs and also continue to strive for great things. This subject of seeing the growth and brilliance of my students is something I take to heart, and will greatly miss when I graduate in the spring season. With the help of the Graffiti Arts Scholarship, I would be able to have an opportunity to continue my pursuit of art with fewer worries about college payments. Every penny spent towards my schooling will be used keeping in mind my future students who I want to guide to greater things while expressing themselves in art. I long for a classroom of my own and this scholarship will allow me to be one step closer!

With every piece created, one of my intentions is I want people to feel things. Whether they know exactly what they are feeling, thinking, or observing, I want them to feel the emotion each piece provides. I want the bending of contrast, color selection, and different mediums to showcase the dedication to each story expressed. I don’t create for money or fame, I create to help express my own experiences in life. From topics ranging from self-growth and discovery to fragments of childhood; each piece I create showcases a different section of my life. I like to reflect on past pieces and see the baseline that I was once at to then further improve my skills. Taking what I have learned and taught myself from previous works, I find that I cannot only share the story of the work, but I also can improve my skill set. With this growing process, I find that I can further push myself more and more in my career. I was a self-taught artist up until my freshman year of high school. During my junior year, I decided and determined that I was going to get my education degree in Art Education. Student teaching during my- now- senior year of high school, I can use all of my knowledge and appreciation of art to help my students learn how to express themselves within their works. I too want to note that I would not be as far as I am in my art career if it was not for the help of my Ap Photography teacher and Graphic Design teacher. Both have taken me under their wings and provided me with the knowledge and skills I need to do what I love; create. It's a difficult choice to make deciding which piece in my art portfolio submitted below is my favorite. Each piece has been given an extreme dedication of thought, time, and energy. Having to pick, I'd have to say the photo weave of the two self-portraits of myself. I titled this piece "Reveal." This piece is one of 20 that I have for my Ap Photography submission through College Board. My portfolio for AP Photo is about mental health and the many different effects, struggles, and challenges that one can be faced. However, other pieces- within my photo portfolio- show the growth and ability one has to overcome such struggles. Reveal is a photo weave- using the twill weave technique that I taught myself for this piece- that expresses the feeling of contentedness that is demonstrated throughout one's day-to-day life, but deep down there is this painful struggle and battle taking place. I favor this piece the most because I was able to express a topic that I deal with expressively. I was also able to teach myself a weaving pattern technique that I never learned of before.

Hello! My name is Madison S. I am currently a senior in high school and due to graduate in June of 2023! I am currently working towards going to college for my BFA in Art Education! Through my senior year, I have taken multiple art courses, so I can get a well-rounded background in the arts. I also student-teach two levels of graphic design to further my experience in the classroom as a future teacher! I will be attending school to graduate with my BFA in Art Education so I can give back my knowledge about this deeply important aspect of my life! Fine arts has been a motivation and tool that has helped me be expressive and creative, and feel my uniqueness in and outside of the classroom! To be able to soon give back to students a way to have a positive, growthful, and healthy way to better themselves is why I want to become an art educator! I realize as time passes that art, in any sense whether it be fine arts, theater, music, etc, is very important to many young minds! I am determined to work in and outside of the classroom to allow my current students and future ones to have an expressive outlet. This outlet can be used for any generation or age to create and feel free! I love, enjoy, and long for being in the classroom! Working with my current students one-on-one I allow them to show me their creations and ask questions when needed! I wish to teach because I know that- in this particular subject- I can see a deeper side of my students. They can feel safe, healthy, and expressive! I adore seeing their creations, personal designs, and sketches. These small fragments of their character and personality are extremely fragile, beautiful, and one-of-a-kind! I long to see more of their thought processes, creative outlooks, and final designs! As a student myself who was once in their shoes, and simply as a person who is still growing in a forever-changing world, I know the importance of having a healthy and safe outlet to be confined in. If I can provide that for my current and future students, then I know that I have completed my job properly! I am merely a vessel of knowledge. My soon-to-be job as an educator is to allow my students to freely question and wonder, while I am there by their sides to guide them to bigger and greater things!