Growing up the daughter of a mother who minored in art in college, the interpretation of the visual manifestation of the innermost workings of the heart and its ability to be transpired in various mediums were highly inspiring. The most interesting thing about art, for me, even when growing up, was its therapeutic properties.

Art, in and of itself, is not limited to just visuals, like painting, drawing, or photography, but can be physical or audible. I believe that there are many athletes who have cultivated and perfected their sport to the point where it is an art, an expression of the innermost feelings and workings of the soul, manifested in the human body. The idea of the versatility of art, the fact that it is not limited to what can be seen in museums, is amazing.

I love art and think it is entirely necessary to incorporate into everyday life. Art, for me, has taught me so much. I have begun to understand, through my art in its various mediums and forms, my life. Sometimes when my thoughts cannot set themselves straight, when they run wild with the transmogrified incidents I overanalyze, sketching reorders my thoughts.

I have watched what I am feeling inside, the invisible sentiments of my mind, become beauty on paper, and transport themselves into my art and whatever it is I feel. It's really amazing to see the way my hands make sense of what is going on in my mind.

While I often use sketching and photography as my primary mediums, that does not discount the importance of having an artistic outlet that encourages mindfulness. It's incredibly important throughout life to have an outlet through which one is able to express themselves and reorder their thoughts. It is in artistic outlets that one is able to understand who they are as an individual, develop their experiences and enhance their particular tastes and understand their emotions.

It's like filling a balloon. Emotions fill your mind as air fills a balloon, crowding it and overfilling it until it bursts. One must release emotions, little bits at a time so that it won’t burst. Art is a great way to do that. I know there are days when I am on the verge of breaking, and need a release. It is art that helps me release my mind from its tethers and make sense of my thoughts.