As the pandemic rages on, it is becoming increasingly difficult to have hope for the future. My life quickly transformed into a monotonous cycle, making me less motivated to accomplish my dreams. While others were experimenting with their own forms of self-expression, I had no idea what I wanted to do. It was when I found my old sketchbook that I decided I should start drawing again.

I’ll admit, I took an art class in my first year of high school, but was discouraged to retake it because of my low grade and lack of experience compared to my peers, who had grasped the concepts easily. It wasn’t until a couple of months ago, almost halfway through my final year of high school, that I picked up a pencil and began to draw again.

The feeling of not having a teacher to please and being free to experiment with my art made me take more risks. There was no fear of marks or outcome. I could learn at my own pace and not feel rushed. That’s when I realized that I should not compare myself to others because everyone works on their own timeline.

One of my biggest inspirations has been my trip to the Kimbell Art Museum while at International Convention in Dallas, Texas. I was very fascinated by the modern art exhibit because I had never seen anything like it before. My absolute favorite piece was Book With Wings by Anselm Kiefer. Standing in the presence of these grand wings made time stand still for a moment.

I have been able to see consistent improvement as I keep working. Although I am nowhere near perfection, that is not my goal. My goal is to enjoy the art I make and keep learning. Not everyone will be an artist, and that is okay. But, if there is something that you enjoy, no matter how insignificant or unachievable you may think it is, now is the best time to explore that dream.