Artist Statement Art has always been a calming activity. It slows me down and forces me to think about the world around me. Since I was little, I have drawn and made art observing and getting a sense of my surroundings. Cityscapes, flowers, and nature make up most of my art. Over my high school years, my technical skills have developed as I have had the opportunity to work in the studio on a regular basis. I’ve been pushed to look at my painting from afar, allowing me to see it in a different light and perspective. For example, when painting, I am able to step back and make sure the proportions and value of my piece are correct. I have always been good at using linear perspective to draw what I see as my brain naturally understands spatial relationships. My ability to see perspective and make accurate proportions, allows me to play with scale and make immersive realistic landscapes. Additionally, in learning about value and establishing tonal relationships in my drawings, as well as providing a sense of space, I have realized the importance of everything in the frame– the background is just as relevant as the foreground to give a drawing a sense of space. I hope to study engineering or physics, but I also want to continue making art. I have always been good at building and designing things, and I look forward to incorporating my artistic abilities into my education.