Envious Creation: An Expression of Artistic Mind and Crafts by Illeana

~~~

    Perhaps I pursued the arts because I was envious of the people who are talented and skillful. I envy those people around me who know what they want and who know why they want it and not only because they are pressured to excel at it, but also because they have a burning passion for it. 

   I tried various hobbies, but one taught me how to express my emotions artistically, and that is painting. I started painting when I was six years old, using the cheap watercolor that we bought from the tiangge. As time went by, I kept painting landscapes and some characters from my favorite movie shows. During the pandemic, I always painted whenever I didn't have other schoolwork to do. Through painting, I learned how to critique art by examining its strokes, colors, and patterns. Additionally, I felt a deeper connection with my artwork because it effectively conveys the message I want to portray. I still have the burning passion for painting, but it is not as fiery as before. 

    Upon painting, another fire started to light in my mind; a slow-burning passion for drawing grew inside me. I always thought it would be easy to draw if you have experience with painting, but that thought was humbled as I tried to draw. It wasn’t easy enough, especially if you want to draw realistic things, but practicing was worth it as I see the result. However, I am not consistent enough with it; I draw at least once a month. Most of my drawings are animals and fruits, but it also depends on the references I see on my social media. 

    It wasn’t enough for me, I looked for more hobbies that I could spend my time with, and that’s when I found out about crafting. Crafting has different things that you could enjoy, and that made me want it. I tried gem painting, created papier mache, built houses from cardboard and sticks, and tried air-dry clay. The beauty of crafting is that it extends beyond your imagination, whereas you could create different things with your hands.

    With the love and passion I have for arts and crafts, I planned to pursue arts as a hobby and not as a profession. It was a blessing and a curse to be able to express myself in artistic ways without strict adherence to a rule. With this burning passion, I will continue to explore the depth of arts, where it is not limited to paper or crafts. Maybe I will try other forms of art, such as music, sculpture, or filming. 

~~~