The Baby Drawing and painting very frequently from as young as I could grip, I was gifted art supplies by family members and encouraged to create either by myself or with others, like my dad or aunt. They taught me how to do things, and I began to figure things out on my own.
The Child In elementary school, I drew every single day. In school notebooks, on computer paper, and in my many “diaries” and journals. I drew in school during different subject lessons, in art class, and at home by myself or on playdates with friends. I was especially drawn to drawing people, mostly naked, with in depth, dramatic narratives.
The Tween Looking back at this stage, art class wasn’t all that I hoped it would be. We focused on things that I wasn’t particularly interested in, (although I do see the value in some of the projects we did) and so I spent even more time creating my own art at home. I drew all different subject matter and started building a solid technique for realistic art. At this stage, I really tried my hand at painting with acrylic paint. I found it to be extremely difficult. I would get frustrated at myself very easily and would often damage my artwork on purpose. But when I made a positive breakthrough, I felt as though I could fly.
The Teen High school art was amazing. I learned so much, particularly about drawing and painting with all the kinds of materials I wanted to pursue. And, most importantly, I was given a lot of freedom in these classes to base my subject matter around my interests. I found that I was most fond of oil and watercolor painting. In my free time, I was still always creating art, whether it was graphite portraits or micron mandala designs. In senior year my concentration for AP art was “Hallucinations and the Expansion of Consciousness.” My interest in surreal, dreamy art began. (I also took two graphic design classes during this phase and disliked it immensely.)
The Half Adult Half Teen (College) Going through a difficult personal time, I also began to lose my way in my art practice, especially my painting practice. I compared myself to my peers, tried to follow the footsteps of others, and never truly knew what I wanted to paint. I tried many different styles, always in only oil and acrylic. However, there were some creations from college that I was extremely proud of, that I feel created the foundation of my art practice today. In drawing classes and artbook making classes, I felt as though I had unlocked a side of myself I had tucked away since childhood; a very silly side that wanted to tell ridiculous yet meaningful stories. In my artist books, I felt free, limitless, and happy. I cherish my painting breakthroughs in college, especially the ones guided by one professor in particular who has become my dear friend since then.
The Adult (Sophia present day) Today, I could not be more grateful to have art in my life, for my entire artistic journey, and each of my schools and art teachers. My life is complete because of it. I have reunited with watercolor painting thanks to Pam Koehler’s Watercolor Workshop here at Adelphi. It is now a crucial part of my practice and wellbeing, truthfully. My oil painting practice is flowing through an authentic, adventurous course. My drawing practice is still the foundation of my being, and I have two sketchbook/illustration books that I’m currently working on. My biggest inspiration–other than the beauty that I’m blessed to be surrounded by–are my students and my art education career. My students create so freely; they teach me to take risks and remind me of how important those risks are to growth. When I create projects for my students, I think, what would be interesting to create? When I get excited about making a project with my students, I know I’m doing something right.
Art is transformative. It is the source of my self and my peace.