Journey Through the Mind of an Artist

from WIN Times July 2021

Career Advice from a Banker Mum

Jaimee Felysse A. Reyes, Year 5C

Jaimee Felysse A. Reyes has been passionate about art ever since she can remember. She enthusiastically participates in art-based competitions and has won several prizes within as well as outside the school. In this article, Jaimee shares how she discovered the world of art and also gives tips to aspiring artists to unleash their creativity on canvas. Jaimee believes that anyone can be an artist – all you need to do is find the inspiration and put in the efforts.

Being an artist is a part of my identity. Art makes me happy. You might be wondering how I became an artist. My mom would always say that I am an artist at heart. At a very young age, she already saw how artistically inclined I was through my drawings. I would draw on every space I could see, even on our furniture, walls and carpet. Ha ha. I was lucky my mom understood. She said my drawings were more advanced than what a 2-year old kid normally draws. At first, I really didn’t understand what art was. Then, one time, I was sitting in the school bus with my friend and saw her artworks. It felt so wonderful looking at those amazing drawings. At that moment, I told myself, I will be an artist like her. From then on, I never stopped learning the art of drawing. I would watch YouTube videos, read art books, and practice every single day. I tried all art media like watercolours, acrylic, oil pastel, sketch pens, charcoal, coloured pencil, and markers. Whenever my parents would ask what gift I wanted, I would always say art materials. When we would go to the mall, instead of buying toys, I would grab pens, sketch pads and paints. Art has become part of me. There is no day in my life that I didn’t draw something or the other. I can do my school projects and tasks easier with the help of my art skill. It is also my way of coping with everyday struggles, especially during this difficult situation we are in. The pandemic has greatly affected our wellbeing since children were forced to stay at home for safety. My art kept me going. Drawing has given me enjoyment and has brought me to different places through my imagination. The moment I hold my pen, I feel like I’m in another dimension where there is peace and serenity. I just love art!

Here are some tips for all the aspiring artists out there!

1. Focus. Make sure that this is what you really want and be passionate about what you do. If you do things wholeheartedly, you are likely to succeed.

2. Strive to create art every day. It doesn’t have to be a perfect piece, but never let a day go by without touching a brush or a pencil.

3. Be patient. If you’re having a hard time beginning, start with simple forms and colours.

4. Be inspired. Get inspiration from anything you see. Go out and see the world. I always keep a small sketchbook and pen in my bag, so if I see something interesting, I draw.

5. Set goals. Write the things you want to achieve on a piece of paper and set your mind to accomplish them.

6. Be passionate. You need to love what you do. If you put your heart into every task you do, nothing will ever go wrong.

7. Lastly, never stop learning. No matter how good you are, you still have to constantly learn new things to improve your skills. Continue pushing yourself to be the best.

Observe other artists and study their techniques. You don’t have to do the same. Just get some ideas and develop your own style.