When thinking about a favorite art piece I've created I thought back to two summers ago. The piece I chose is a live observational inking of my grandmother's rose bush during a summer break spent with her at her home in New Jersey. "Ann's Roses" is what I named this, in dedication to my summer memories with my grandmother and her love of gardening. I love this piece deeply because it reminds me of all the summer breaks I'd spend helping her tend to the garden on her front lawn. My love for being in the garden with my grandmother was part of my inspiration, as well as my love of the outdoors and how it can be represented in different forms. Filling up every inch of the large empty void of space in canvas felt overwhelming but also exciting trying to pinpoint where everything would be placed. I didn't want it to be oversized or too small from what I was recreating. My materials consisted simply of white ink pens on top of black poster board in which I inked during the daylight hours for a full week straight. Every single detail, small stroke, and line was individually placed down one by one. I took my time to show every thorn, entangled twist, and turn I saw. Each day I became more acquainted with the robin that made its nest within the branches, vines, and flowers across from the birdhouse. I'd sit on the sidewalk inking on the poster board during those hot sunny days listening to my grandma tell me stories of our family's past, and memories. During this process, she helped me think deeper into how life happens even on the smallest of scales such as the robin and its new family of eggs. Hearing the birds sing in the distance, the sprinklers run, and the breeze of the wind through the bush's leaves. It's a special feeling taking the time to appreciate life from the smallest of scales all the way to the biggest ones. That's what I realized I had done in some ways once I finished the piece. Every passing moment is precious and I wished to convey that summer with my grandmother, nature, and life itself in an intimate, captivating form. I still til this day hang it proudly on the wall in my room to showcase what I've accomplished, as it truly is one of my best and favorite pieces I will forever be proud of. I even used it as one of my submission pieces for my transfer application to the Rhode Island School of Design for this upcoming school year, and I got my acceptance letter this month!