Why do people create art? Many do it for various reasons. For example, some people do it to earn money, and others do it for fun or as a hobby. I personally do it as a hobby. Sometimes I draw because I’m bored; other times I may be drawing because I’m upset. I draw when I’m bored simply because it’s fun. I draw when I’m upset because I found it easier to show than tell. I started drawing when I was in second grade. I typically drew animals and nature. I liked to draw flowers, cats, dogs and more. As I got older I focused more on my drawing, like making improvements, focusing on details, and making longer projects. In my art class, we did different art projects using oil pastels, watercolors, and acrylic paint.

We walked down the hall, our footsteps echoing against the walls. The teacher was leading us to the art room, and when we were there my classmates and I shuffled in, the teacher heading back to her class. We walked to our seats and sat down. After we sat in our seats our art teacher announced we were going to draw a close up of a lily. She called out each table to get a piece of white construction paper that was 16’’ by 12’’ and then go back to their seats.

After everyone was done, she told us to gather around the table she was sitting at. She was demonstrating how to draw the outline of the petals and the middle part of the flower with crayons, and when she was done, we went back to our seats to try it on our own. We could also choose any color we liked; I chose pink. After everyone was done, the teacher told us to color the background, and the color had to be a little darker than the petals. Before we knew it, class ended, and my classmates and I had to head to our next one.

We had art again two days later. As we got to class, I noticed cups of paint and water cans on the tables. She told us to gather around the table she was sitting at. She had a plastic film and her finished drawing of a lily. She told us to put the film on top of the drawing and paint on the film with the colors we chose. She was also demonstrating to us how to blend the paint to create darker or lighter shades of that color. After we were done, she said to paint the background, and when we finished, she put the wet painting on a drying rack. After we got to have free time and color whatever we liked.

A few weeks later my family and I received a letter that my project got second place in an art contest at a museum for young artists in the district. We went to the museum to see my art piece and the others. When we got to the section with my piece, I saw that the plastic film was stapled on the construction paper with the painted side down. I also saw that my friend got first place. Later at school I congratulated my friend on getting first place.

The reason I create art is because it’s fun, and I do it as a hobby, though others may do it for other reasons. When I get older I wish to improve on my skills and draw with a wider variation. I wish to improve not only my talent but also my creativity.

-Emily Zhong