I have had the opportunity to take AP Art in both my junior and senior year of high school. What I enjoy about creating art is the fact that I can approach it however I desire. I don’t have to fit my paintings into one style, so claiming myself as an artist feels right because there are no set guidelines for what I want to make or how I want to make it. The small class size has given my peers and I the ability to focus on our art. Mrs. Thompson has us all participate in critiques, in which we describe two “glows” and one “grow” about each other's work (V3). It’s hard for me to find any criticisms in my peers' artwork because I find them all extremely talented, which inspires me to keep working (V2). I often find myself using their advice because I truly value my teacher and peers’ criticisms, as it helps me see my art from another perspective (V1). Mrs. Thompson has crafted an extremely welcoming environment for all of her art students, letting us explore our own styles with different mediums and techniques. 

When I find myself struggling with a painting or drawing, I never hesitate to ask Mrs. Thompson for her help (V4). I find that advocating for myself when I need assistance has helped me improve drastically. I am also able to recognize that I have infinite room for improvement, which only motivates me even more to try new things. Again, seeing my improvement from freshman year to senior year as a person and an artist inspires me to continue making art.