Strokes of genius: An artistic journey

BY OLAMIDE OLUMIDE THE MIRROR NEWS & FEATURES EDITOR

Everyone at some point in their life has been an artist, whether it be the meaningless scribbles you drew on a sheet of blank paper when your parents gave you a crayon to keep you busy as a child, or the palettes of makeup you started experimenting with during your teen years.

Senior Isabela Arca has been an artist since birth. Art is a part of her identity, and it acted as her companion through hard times and as a friend when she needed support.

“I struggled managing my anxiety several months ago and I remember that I was so overwhelmed with everything that day that I turned to drawing as a coping strategy,” she said. “I chose imagery that resonated with how I felt and drew a coherent image based on those elements. Through art, I was able to achieve catharsis and was able to look at my anxiety and overwhelm on a physical canvas, which shares the same concept of journaling.”

This artist’s skill doesn't just come from talent. It's taken many years for her to refine her style and artistry to become what it is today.

Some of her work has been showcased in the Creative House Gallery, an organization that presents student works for auction. Arca has also had her work displayed in the Congressional Art contest held in Pacoima City Hall, for which she received an honorable mention.

Arca strives to inspire confidence and ambition in her audience through her art.

“One recent example of this is the yearbook cover I drew for the Class of 2024, titled ‘Carrying On,’” she said. “It conveys the importance to keep moving forward even in the face of turmoil and tragedy. I’ve always struggled to get back up after a struggle and the theme of resilience has always been on my mind. I wanted this artwork to introduce tragedy yet place the focus on the importance of recovering from that event.”

She wants her art to help her audience feel hopeful in times of need.

“I want people to feel empowered when they look at my work, no matter if the art came from high or low periods of my life,” she said. “Art has gotten me through many struggles and I feel like hope and resilience is a common theme in my artwork because of that. I hope to share those qualities with anyone who views my artwork.”

Arca is set on the career she plans to