My experience in the I See Me program was very positive. One thing I really enjoyed was having the opportunity to create art and tell my own story. I liked that the project was completely personal because it reflected who I am, my experiences, and the things that are important to me.
One challenge I faced was deciding what to include in my portrait. At first, it was difficult to think about my top values and how to represent them through art. Once I started reflecting on what matters most to me, I was able to come up with ideas and begin creating my portrait.
For my portrait, I focused on my top three values: education, family, and self-worth. To represent education, I included the college I will be attending because learning and achieving my goals are very important to me. I painted figures to represent my family because they are a huge part of my life and have always supported me. I also added gems to symbolize myself and remind me of the importance of self-confidence and self-love.
Another element I included was question marks. These represent how I am still discovering who I am and exploring different interests and hobbies. For the background, I blended together pastel colors because many people describe me as happy, friendly, and positive. I wanted the colors to reflect those qualities and show how others see me.
One of my favorite details in the portrait is the ladybug. I chose a ladybug because it is one of my favorite animals, and it also has a special meaning in my family. My mom calls my sisters and me her “ladybugs,” so including it made my artwork feel even more personal and meaningful.
Overall, my experience in the I See Me program was enjoyable. It gave me the chance to express myself creatively, reflect on my values, and learn more about who I am. I am proud of my portrait because it tells my story and represents the people, goals, and qualities that matter most to me.
