“I really want to combine community service and art to present my ideas. I would love to do something with little kids and reach out. Someday, I really want to paint a mural and combine my love for art with service.” Photo by Chloe McLeod.

“There are competitions for students and adults. A lot of competitions you have to pay a fee to enter, but there are more free ones. A lot of them are great opportunities.” Photo by Chloe McLeod.

“Nature is your best bet for inspiration. Just go outside and look around. I feel like a lot of us don’t really appreciate how much we are given or what is around us. If you just go outside and look at something, you can find the beauty in it.” Photo by Chloe McLeod

“My mom is also an artist, so she would teach a lot of classes. I would always help with those by creating projects for little kids and I always go to the art shows where she sells her pieces. Hopefully, I can sell my art soon.” Photo by Chloe McLeod.

“I like how expressive art is and how it is a relaxing outlet for me. I’m a very visual person and being able to transfer my thoughts onto a canvas — it’s a way to show my appreciation for beauty.” Photo by Chloe McLeod.

“I like to start my paintings as soon as possible. I don’t like it when paintings take a long time, so I try to get as much on the canvas in the course of a couple hours. Then, I have to take a break and come back to it the next day. Usually, my paintings don’t take more than a week.” Photo by Chloe McLeod.

“In the summer I usually have more time to get some commissions done. I’m in California for a month, every July, and I get to paint there. There [is] a lot of amazing scenery, and I will paint what I see.” Photo by Chloe McLeod.

“Sometimes, I’ll take inspiration from a landscape, or I did one where I took inspiration from my dream. I did this in my painting, “Getaway” (see above)”. Photo by Chloe McLeod.

“I love painting portraits. There’s just something about the face that is really intriguing to me. Also, I really like to do abstract work. I feel like it is more fun, and there are more ways to express yourself.” Photo by Chloe McLeod.