Layla DaCosta
I often represent my own experiences and feelings through my art, especially by using symbolism and character design to convey my ideas. I mostly draw or paint humans and humanoid characters, so I am stepping out of my comfort zone with some of my art this year, specifically the scissors in my second piece, and the fidget spinner in my third piece. This year, I have used acrylic paint on canvas and made digital drawings on ProCreate, but I also like to use Micron pens and alcohol markers to draw, and I animate on FlipaClip. I want to experiment more with mixed media and interactive aspects in my art next year.
When I make an artwork, I usually decide what I want to represent first, then I figure out how I can show that idea and what medium would fit it best. I make a thumbnail sketch if I need one, but I can usually envision how I want it to look before I start working. An important part of my process is adjusting my plan as I work because my idea evolves as I work. The visible underpainting in my first artwork this school year and the “overwhelming” background in my second one are both examples of me adjusting my original plan when I was almost done with the artwork.
I make art because I want to represent my personal experiences and feelings in a way that other people can understand or relate to. So far, my artworks this school year have been about finding my identity, handling my fear of change, nostalgia (and the mixed feelings that come with it), and self-expression through fashion. I represent difficult or complex emotions through my art because it helps me process and understand my own feelings, and I want to help people do the same by making art they might see themselves in.