garland bell

I would consider myself a very creative person. Art, in some sense, has always played a large role in my life.
When I was a child, health concerns prevented me from playing any sports or doing much physical activity. Considering children are particularly active, this left a large amount of free time in my life. I naturally gravitated to art, as my mom is creative and we would always do crafts together. I quickly learned to sew, paint, draw, do ceramics, and more. Instead of playing sports, I would often take after-school art classes and instead of running around on the playground at recess, I would draw.
My early beginning with art has definitely impacted who I am today. I now, through years of practice, would say I have developed an eye for color, detail, and composition. I not only recognize art on paper but I recognize it every day in the world around me. I am constantly noticing the mundane and gathering inspiration for my next work. My creative outlook on life enables me to view everything as having potential. The sheer existence of things is beautiful in and of themselves, and beauty is art, though not all art has to be beautiful.

Now, I am majoring in a creative field at UGA and it couldn't be more fulfilling. I’ve always been primarily self-taught so the opportunity to have professionals teach me their ways has been great. Since being at Georgia, I have had the opportunity to take Drawing, Painting, Color Composition, 3D Design, and Architecture classes, and more. Overall it has been a wonderful experience and I’m grateful to get to go to a University with such a great Art School.

Ultimately I would say Art has been a guiding force in my life, leading me to things I would have never found previously. While my future is uncertain I can rest assured knowing that as long as I am doing something creative I will always feel secure.