College Admissions Essay: I Want To Be An Artist

Throughout my early teen years, I was exposed to different mediums of art and discovered that I could express myself through more channels than just paper. Although Barry found comfort in her 11 x 17 newsprint and some paint, I was able to focus my energy on making music and taking photographs. Without my art teachers, I wouldn’t have the expressive outlet I do today. My childhood was not filled with unhappiness as Lynda Barry’s was, but from both backgrounds, we found a warmth from the exposure of art that the educational system gave to us.

I am writing to apply for graduate program at New York University to study Art Education to start a step to become an art teacher. I consider education as an essential guidance and instruction in assorted knowledge, skills, and history. Especially in art, there are many concepts, materials, and practices in relation to art history. The art history is still ongoing where fine art has made its transition to contemporary art. Based on the professional art education from my undergraduate program and the past work experiences in art environment, I find myself responsible to inspire and teach students different aspects that art retains. This passionate nature has led me to apply for masters program in Art Education. I believe that New York University will advise virtuous and exceptional curricula for me to gain professional attributes as an art educator.

As an individual who’s been drawing and painting since before she could even hold a pen – apparently, I used to spill my grandma’s tea and make shapes with it – art has always been my favorite pastime. It’s tranquil and relaxing, and mixing paints is the most satisfying experience. Thus, it’s no wonder that the activity that I’m most invested in is art.

Growing up I was always fascinated by history. I like to imagine my love of history was passed on to me by my grandmother who was both a history major and a history teacher; however, I was never able to genuinely connect with her since she had already passed years before I was born. No matter the case, I reciprocated her passion. I decided that I wanted to pursue a career that involved a more hands on approach appertaining to history aside from teaching. Therefore, I concluded I wanted to ultimately work in a museum. An opportunity to shadow a museum director, a position I hope to be in one day, truly exposed me to that specific environment and sealed my determination like never before in regards to my future.

I am interested in drawing. My love for drawing started from a very young age. Growing up surrounded by people who were very creative and promoted free thinking and imagination. This really contributed to my passion for not only drawing, but the arts as a whole. As a younger child I was often told that art could be found in the most unbelievable places. It can be any and everything you want it to be. At George school I intend on broadening my creativity and love for art. I want to be able to expand my talent and improve

As the only child, of my mother, I often faced the problem of not having someone to play with forcing more creativity. I often did various arts and crafts projects, but I found that I enjoyed drawing the most. With each drawing I become completely engrossed partially because it is a self-taught skill that requires focus, but also because I must be patient with myself as I work towards what I envision and learn new techniques. The Art of Drawing is a skill that I can continuously develop and perfect. The patience that my artwork teaches goes beyond the work itself. It demonstrates the importance of accepting my weaknesses and working towards bettering them. I am able to properly release the struggles I encounter and not be consumed because of my artwork. Creating my drawings is more than expression, but also self-discovery because I can be more honest with myself, embracing who I am and what I feel. However, from time to time I do encounter “artist block” and the exhibitions held at the museum of fine arts at Florida State University could provide inspiration much like my environment here at Spelman

When one turns on the news, it is inevitable to be bombarded with the malaise of the world. Death, destruction, and other obscenities of humanity have become commonplace in our living room entertainment, and the topic of discussion at family functions. Despite growing up in a vibrant and loving home, I became indifferent and apathetic, for I allowed these negative aspects of human nature to fog my sanguine perception of the world. I did what I did to get by—never fully understanding the beauty that life had to offer—as if created to solely be, and not live. Fortunately, my calloused view softened during the latter portion of high school and early in my college career as I began to learn in-depth about the humanities. Influenced by the Socratic teachings of professors, and discussions with friends and loved ones, I began to grasp the virtuous characteristics that society had to offer. I adhere to, and find solace in the importance of the values established in the study and practicality of art, education, and travel.

At the age of five, after the death of my father I was closed in a bubble of depression. My only escape was creating false scenarios of my father and I. It wasn’t until seventh grade that I picked up a paintbrush and for the first time I got lost in the paint. I felt the sense of peace and calmness, for once I didn't felt lonely from the lost of my father. The start of my drawings and paintings mostly consisted in basic geometric shapes and doodle images. Through the process of learning I became frustrated and lost the interest. Attending Lone Star to pursue a degree in Graphic Design I knew I had to take art classes. It was an exciting yet scary feeling because it had been four years that stopped drawing. I was able to reevaluate the reason

Creativity and art have been a significant parts of my life for as long as I can remember. When I was little and we visited my Grandma Carol in the summers, my favorite thing to do with her was make art. She taught me about so many different media, such as: acrylics, oil pastels, and the ink press. Sometimes, I would bring my sketchbook from home and she would help me set up art shows around her house. I would sell my art for a few dollars each, and then use the little bit of money I earned to buy more art supplies. As she introduced me to more artistic styles and mediums in the

I’ve always been interested in the arts, always one to doodle on papers in class, and run to the sidewalk chalk during recess. But over time, that love of creativity that had invariably been a part of my personality slowly trickled away. Perhaps it was lack of motivation, likely my depression played a part, maybe it was just a part of growing up, whatever the cause, during the beginning of my freshman year of high school, I found that I hadn’t created a single sketch, much less a finished project, in over a year. I’d packed up my pencils and put away my brushes for what seemed to be the last time. That all changed the day I walked into that museum and found my love of art rekindled into the burning passion it had once been. The glorious modern building of the Kimbell Art Museum became my refuge, my second home, and most importantly the inspiration for the next phase of my life.

“I love it!” my mother exclaimed. My mom would usually say that she would “love” my artwork. However this time it was different, she knew what it was. She really did, pure happiness filled me. The time I spent drawing seemed to have paid off; in my heart, I knew this is something I will do for the rest of my life.

I am very interested and passionate about art and wish to pursue it as a career. I love learning as much as I can and would welcome any opportunity can to learn more about art and becoming a more experienced artist. I would like to have this opportunity to experience the “college atmosphere” and learn from college professors. I wish to meet artists my age and socialize with people who are like minded when it comes to learning and studying the many styles of art. I want to gain as much knowledge as I can in art and I am determined to learn as much as I can. I find art and watching artists fascinating and I become inspired to improve my skills.

Whenever I'm feeling stressed, I pick up a pen and begin to draw. It has a calming,

Like many people my age, significance and purpose are concepts I have difficulty in applying to my existence. While meaning can also be wrought, perhaps in a more personal way, in individual illustrations, I feel that drawing itself does not provide me with an overall sense of direction- it is a distraction, which is arguably the opposite of impetus. However, art can be a gateway to meaning in its broader understanding through ‘belonging’. As suggested by Steger (2009), there are findings showing that “relationships with others have emerged as the most important sources of meaning”. This result resonates with me- it is my ties to other artists that provide me with an incentive to strive towards a mastery of my skill, thereby supplying my artistic pursuits with meaning.

Growing up in a family full of creative minds it wasn’t hard to find my own talent. I became obsessed with art at a young age, drawing anything that caught my fancy whether it be cats, dogs, or power puff girls. I loved to draw. I found that with my drawing I had a natural desire to get better and build upon my talent. In the later years of middle school when the time came that we were deciding our future careers I didn’t want to be an artist. I wanted to just quit my talent and be like the other girls who could sing and dance, I thought my talent useless. But through the years I found that any occupation besides an artist would make me miserable. A life spent on a career one does not have passion for is