In today’s age of social media and the need to keep up with trends, assimilation to popular culture has directly influenced the way we interact with others online. In an effort to “fit in”, many may mask their identity, as represented in my piece with the symbolism of the paintbrush, for fear of being judged by others. In the same way we once followed orders to methodically sit in “criss-cross applesauce” in elementary school, we have fallen prey to the conformity bias present in modern society.

I always feel that something is around me, slowly corroding me, and I am completely unaware of it. The creation of this artwork took a long time, nearly three months. I had no expectations for the final piece; I simply did whatever I wanted to on the canvas based on my emotions at the moment. Each day, I completed a small part, maybe just a groove or a small patch of color. I couldn’t do too much at one time, as looking at it for a long time would make me dizzy, just like my life.

Throughout my life, I have experienced so much joy climbing up trees, roofs, and other high-up places of exploration. At a campsite my friends and I frequented in elementary school, there was an especially beautiful and tall spruce tree. Every climb was different, because the tree had so many shapes and enclaves that created infinite ways to experience it. With the Copper Pavilion, I wanted to capture the joy of an elevated space for repose, conversation, and play. It has a high vantage point, an open-air social space, and even an enclosed meeting room. At the back of the structure, there is a carved-out space in the floor, the perfect reading nook. I chose copper because it is a warm, beautiful, and under-appreciated metal that catches the sun well. The Pavilion is designed to fit next to my school’s small garden, and it is molded around the real-world layout of the trees. In short, the Copper Pavilion is a warm, joyful structure that can be whatever you want it to.

As a trans person, I've been met with bigotry from various sources.

For my Visual Art class, we were given the prompt to draw a self portrait drawn in charcoal with dramatic lighting and headgear, for which I wore headphones.

California Picnic is meant to reflect a day that is both sunny in weather and in emotion. I wanted to encapsulate warm feelings toward family and the outdoors as well as the feeling of sun skin and good food. It expresses all of these things as well as warmth, gratitude, and love for the world. When making this painting I reflected on a day I spent in San Francisco with my family and how I felt on that day. This particular outing was during the odd period of time during 2021 where people were beginning to leave their homes more after the 2020 covid quarantine. The simple joy in eating somewhere different than in your house and the great joy in experiencing the outdoors.

I drew this because I love horror/scary movies.

I decided to create the golden gate bridge because It represents that place that we call home, our beautiful bay area.

After flipping through an amphibian anatomy book, I immediately envisioned an art piece overflowing with frogs.

My idea for this piece was to express our strongest memories in life so I drew a polaroid image of me and my friends in words to represent old, new, or current friendships that we keep along the way because they led us to this moment in life, being the person who you are today, and me making this piece of art right now was inspired by my friends because I can't thank them enough to be always there for me.

I wanted to capture the feeling of freefall: when an object falls under the sole influence of gravity, it no longer accelerates.

My artwork is my rendition of a forest fire, and in the sky, a smoke cloud in the shape of a broken power pole to highlight the danger of broken power lines and how they start wildfires.

While crafting this piece, I thought about representing myself and who I am, as well as who I was and who I plan or want to be.

Rocks, leaves, pond, dirt, splashes, and a circle of wandering fish.

Made this for an assignment, and decided to use the quote " fire never save ever" in the shape of a fire, which I sketched.

My portfolio inquiry for my AP Studio Art class this year is, “How can humanity learn about change through the process of decay?" I’m using this inquiry to explore issues such as climate change, political power, personal identity, and other aspects of humanity through my art. This piece, called "Lucky Strike," explores the convergence of climate change, human causes, and nature's power to grow even in the most desperate landscapes. It's an observation and a hope.

“Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

A Kazakh lady, adorned in the rich hues of her cultural attire and ancestral jewelry, weaves a narrative that transcends time and tradition. The inspiration behind this painting is a depiction of my culture through feminine strength, capturing a sense of independence. Extending beyond her image, the mountains are a continuation of her spiritual connection to the lands of her nation. In her gaze, there is a silent proclamation of resilience and self-determination. At the center of this composition, the jewelry, passed down through generations, adorns her like fragments of history, reminding us that strength is inherited, cherished, and worn with pride. The use of oil paint as a medium is a choice when seeking to capture the diverse textures of fabrics and the vibrant array of colors in artwork. The inherent richness and depth of oil paints allow a representation of different materials, from the softness of feathers to the smoothness of velvet, creating a tactile quality that engages the viewer. The application of silver leaf introduces a captivating element, particularly when depicting jewelry or the glistening allure of snow. Behind this canvas, I aim to appreciate the strength inherent in my cultural roots and to celebrate the untold stories, unspoken battles, and enduring spirit that collectively breathe life into the canvas—a tribute to the independence that courses through her veins and resonates in the hearts of those who behold her.

This drawing depicts a greedy dragon stealing the only star whilst the other dragons try to reach out to it.

When I was little me my grandma, parents and brother would go rock hunting. We would find beautiful stones and rocks with cool textures and patterns. When I got older we stopped doing it, we stopped doing a lot of traditions. This drawing reminds me of the past, it reminds me of a more carefree ideal time. I wish that one day we can all go back out together.