Personal Narrative: Drawing The Powerpuff Girls

Throughout my school career, I always excelled in Art. In kindergarten, I received a medal for being the best artist. In second grade, I made a self-portrait that was put into a showcase. Since then I have taken Art from sophomore year to senior year. In those three years, I experimented with Ceramics, Graphic Art and Design, and the basic Art 1. Out of these classes, I managed to excel in Graphic Art and regular Art 1. For instance, in both art classes I had to create a portrait, a typography portrait for Graphic Design and a traditional portrait for Art 1. Although, I have excelled in these classes it was not perfect after the first try. I was successful in the subject of the Arts because I paid attention to detail and cared about the outcome.

It was my freshman year of high school when I took Drawing A; I quickly learned that I had a skill that I had previously ignored and began embracing it. Sophomore year, though, was when I truly started using my art. It was during this year that I received a 4 on my AP-Studio Art portfolio, and won four awards at Scholastic Art and Writing in photography. Art gave me a feeling of accomplishment that I didn’t usually get in the rest of my academics, so I always tried my

I would read books that would encourage me to draw. My parents would always make me read as a child, which helped me increase my knowledge and ideas that opened my mind. I would then use my art to express my knowledge and ideas I had learned from reading. As my childhood years passed and I enter middle school, my attitude went towards a much more deviant direction. I was the class clown, and would always get into trouble with my middle school crew. Which wasn’t beneficial for me. I was no longer into reading or writing. My perspective on school changed, as did my grades, and my attitude towards school. My perspective on school didn’t change, until I was a freshman in high

For adults, it was seen as ‘childish’ and ‘silly’ and I was rarely encouraged. Even my parents thought my penchant for art was unnecessary and insisted I was wasting my time. In those moments, I felt worthless, however, those feelings of defeat only fueled the flame inside of me to strive to improve and one day, prove that my art and I were not valueless.

In my life I have failed at many things, but I have always been able to recover. When I was in the sixth grade I had convinced myself that I was the most accomplished artist in my entire school; I thought I could challenge an eighth grader in the school’s bi-annual art competition

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

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’m sitting at my computer, ignoring pages of economics homework and mugs of cold tea now strewn about my desk, as I search for a direction to go with my life. Such was was my predicament several months ago. It’s undeniable that I’m an artist, hard and true, for a pencil found its way into my hand as a child, and no desire of mine nor of the universe ever tempted it to pry away. Throughout my earliest years and memories, I maneuvered with graphite, paint, and crayon every adventure that I ever dreamt of pursuing. Oh, I was a resilient child, as well, who refused to take part in any art class at school or as an extracurricular for an abundance of years, as I was invariably convinced that I could learn all I wished on my own accord! Consequently,

The pencil liberates my stresses and sorrows. Bare and unimpeded, my mind is able to isolate itself from anything that was happening in my life. At my art table, which is merely an escape from reality, my curiosity is able to wander. Within this room, five blank canvas's look in on me as I become a mold of my imagination. A step inside my world develops into a sea of color and exploration. The vibrancy of the walls resonates throughout. Over the years, my room has served as my oasis. It’s my escape from monotonous and mundane routines. It’s my exploration of another side of me. I observe such works of art almost as much as I create. Taking notice of my classmates’ innovations and inspired by their creativity, my paintbrush begins to alleviate stress. I strive to produce pieces others will appreciate, but often find myself to be the true admirer. My pride, in this world, is driven simply by my own curiosity to express myself. I credit this side of me as the “passion” that supplements my insane drive for success. This passion has sparked critical thinking in me as well as how I see failure. Life is a blank canvas and you can truly draw whatever you want, and if you fail, you start over and don’t make that same mistake again! Hard work takes ideas quite far, but true success is derived from ingenuity and the generation of

I gracefully accepted the challenge brought on by my peers. It was no secret that I was the best artist in my high school due to my countless awards from art shows and endless recognitions but I still lacked the confidence to put my ideas out there. My artistic eye wouldn't get me anywhere in life; I thought it was essentially a useless talent as the world needs more than beautiful portraits and artsy doodles.

When I first started drawing, people knew that I would be an amazing artist one day. But, on the inside I was a 16 year old who had a dark past. I was bullied and abused and I was broken and the only way to escape it was through drawing. On the outside I’m a very bubbly person,but on the inside I’m a scared girl who needed help.

Growing up I never considered myself as artistic. This was a struggle for me considering my brain was full of whimsical scenes, but the only outlet I saw did not suit me. A couple months ago, my friend urged me to paint with her. Despite my hesitancy, I am so glad I tried. Although I'm not a skilled artist, spilling my ideas out on a canvas has been a great stress reliever and has helped me express my inner thoughts that

When I was younger, I started with making collages, and as I grew older and developed a better eye for shape and detail I started drawing with graphite, colored pencil, illustration markers, and pastel. About three years ago, I became really interested in painting, which is the main medium I use. I use art as a way to express myself and illustrate my best memories the way that I see them. Using specific color schemes and symbols to represent my best memories helps bring me right back to that place when I look back at piece that I’ve finished. Art is my way of remembering the best moments in my

Every day, children are greeted at my door with a joyful, “Hello my most amazing artists!” However, after opening a new school, I noticed these students did not see themselves as artists!

With the utilization of visual and performing arts, students can begin to enhance their personal growth. By producing original works, enjoying the time spent on the piece of art, and having a sense of pride in one’s accomplishments, an art student will experience an increase in self-esteem and confidence (Importance). A child who receives praise for their art work from parents and teachers will most likely be more positive in their artistic abilities. For example, when a child brings a painting home to his parents and his parents react with smiles, cheers and display the picture on the refrigerator, the student will in turn feel very proud of his accomplishments. This newly found self-esteem and confidence often expands into other subjects at school to the overall benefit of the individual. Participating in art is also a way for students to