A steady beat pounding against your chest. Frantic scribbling on a paper as an art project is rushed to completion. The project is due today and it’s not yet completed. Almost every artist can vouch that procrastination is an annoying yet common mind set artists have, but that’s not what this story is about. Today, you are going to be pulled into the wonderful world of art inside PLHS.
The amount of time each artist has practiced varies by student. Some students started drawing from the time they were old enough to use a pencil, while others only started recently. Layla Peer and Anna Maddox are two incredible artists who have studied art for years.
“Art is more than just a drawing on paper,” sophomore Layla Peer said. “Its a way to relax and get away, a coping mechanism. Art is a comfort to help me sleep, but most of all, I do it for fun!”
There are hundreds of ways and reasons to draw! Just as there are many reasons to draw, there are more ways to get introduced to drawing and get hooked.
“Watching people create jaw-dropping art is inspiring,” said sophomore Anna Maddox.
These students have drawn for various reasons, sure, but how long has art been a comfort to them?
“I haven’t been doing art very long compared to some people,” Maddox said. “I started drawing from late in 7th grade up until now.”
Art must be a pretty big deal to them since they have done it for so long and have it as a means of solace, but has it impacted their lives outside of their free time?
“Well, having an artistic ability allows me to join fun events,” Peer said. “Like Artfight [an online drawing competition], or just drawing my friends’ characters whenever I feel like it. It impacted me in a way I think is very helpful when making friendships.”
Not only is there traditional pen-and-paper artwork, but there is digital art, painting, diamond art, and more!
“My favorite form of art has to be either traditional or digital.” Peer said. Maddox, however, said, “I like traditional and am very good at it, but at some point in my life I’d like to try sculpting.”
Referring back to how art offers a sense of comfort, art can also be a less intense form of therapy. A way for a person to vent their frustrations, excitement, or anxieties in a constructive way.
“I can draw how I’m feeling in that current moment,” Maddox said. “And by doing art, I can show my emotions in more detail than I could in words.”
Art is an incredible outlet with beautiful outcomes, but why would someone draw?
“Sometimes [I draw] out of boredom,” Peer said. “Freedom to draw whatever I want, or whenever I have motivation!”
Art is not a necessity, but hundreds of people have found a sense of purpose through it.
