Why I create

I grew up in schools that neglected the wonders of color and creativity by not offering art classes. I knew close to nothing about art. I could not have named who painted Starry Night and Mona Lisa might as well have been the name of one of my classmates. I wanted to widen this narrow point of view by trying new things, one of which was painting. I started with a painting for my grandma and after, she said to me, “If you don’t do anything with that talent it would be a shame.” I wrote these words down and engraved them into my brain. Those words were the spark that set off my passion and dedication to art. 

My growth as an artist has been exponential. Everyday, I am learning how art exists in the world and how I can participate in it. This has led me to better understand what I am passionate about and why. When I am looking for inspiration, I look back in history to absorb the timeless messages of surrealism, ponder the never ending questions of philosophy, and apply it all to my current perspective. Mundane things read like mystery books to me, highway traffic across four lanes, the sand that sits before an ocean, pocket-sized glass rectangles, and buildings built so tall that they sway in the wind. Every detail of the modern world prompts the question of “why?”. I am infinitely interested in it all. The goal for my art is to pull people into the present moment and sink into their surroundings. I create with a sense of playfulness for my art to be approachable and as a reminder of the curiosity that children carry. I do not think growing up should slow down searching for novelties in the world. Tackling aspects that define the home of humanity is a conversation that everyone is entitled to and I hope my art can be the icebreaker. 

A little more about me

Throughout my life I have been driven by curiosity. As a kid, I  rode my bike as far as the wheels could turn and now, I try to absorb as much of the world around me as I can. Currently, I am a senior in high school and this past summer, I was able to study fine arts at New York University. The combination of these two alimentary environments opened my eyes to the value of learning and the importance of individuality in a world full of crowds. I am always working to answer the unanswered questions I have about life and my place in it. One of the most important lessons I have learned firsthand is how the environment you create for yourself, shapes the way you exist in the world.