“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint’, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced” is a very famous quote by Vincent Van Gogh and has carried me through many of my artistic struggles. This quote has been my motto since I was a child and still is today. I grew up around art and creativity. My grandfather inspired me to start drawing at a young age. He encouraged me to keep a sketchbook always at my side; I never left home without it. Several artists influenced me to develop my skills as I grew into my pre-teen years. To this day my drive is powered by the will to create what I am feeling and describe it to others in different ways.

                Art has always been my passion. I’ve gone through many artist blocks but I never let myself quit because it’s something I love. When my artwork is going well I feel at home, and in a familiar place where I can relax. Abstract art can give me the freedom to express my deeper feelings and let myself go when I am having trouble. A reason I enjoy advertising is because it can give me ground rules and compress all of my ideas. When people view my art I want them to see me, but at the same time I want them to want to know more.

                 My art comes in a variety of medias, including graphic arts, drawing, painting, mixed media, and photography. My most successful media is graphic design, which is mainly focused on advertising. When I work with digital media I am reminded that I must think out of the box because there is an abundance of ways to create new works. My favorite color to use is red because it makes my work pop; it is like a stop sign saying look at me. When I begin a piece I write out my plans and create thumbnail sketches. Then I know it is finished when I am satisfied with the quality and the amount of time I put into it.

               Strengths and weaknesses come with every piece of artwork I create; there will always be room for improvement. One of my biggest weaknesses is my ability to have confidence within my pieces. Another weakness I have is the tendency to work hard on one part of my project and then slack off on the rest. I have improved with this weakness through the years. With every weakness comes strength; one is my sense and need for detail in my pieces. Another strength I have is the ability to match color schemes and create a mood within the piece of art.

                 I have artistic, career, and academic goals for my future. Artistically, I would like to harness my painting and drawing skill; take risks and succeed at them. I would also like to suppress my inner critic. Academically, I want to have a minimum of an associate’s degree in advertising or graphic design. I also plan to graduate within the top of my class. Lastly, for my career, I plan to have a lifetime in the arts and be involved with what I love. I want to apply my knowledge and skills on a daily basis in my career. I want to encourage others to come into the field of art and to inspire young artists as I grow older.