Amber Wang

Visual Arts Department

Lagos, Nigeria

2020

oil paint and acrylic on canvas

20" x 20"

I realize I love painting. I've always wanted to try new forms of art and 3D helped me branch out into being more thoughtful and surprising with my art, due to the restrictions placed by materials, size and gravity. But I always find myself being drawn back into the meditative process of layering wet paint on wet paint to create vibrant colorful scenes.

The process of the piece is relaxing and pleasurable. I focused on blocking in colors from reference pictures of Lagos, Nigeria. I suggested light by imagining I was the light source peering down on the street. What would I see? Adding brilliant colors of read and yellow paint onto the canvas was simply enjoyable. It gives the vegetables and people in the composition life and warms the atmosphere of the entire painting. I wasn't afraid to abstract cars, buildings, and people as the painting recedes into the background. This was painting in its most appreciative process. There was no pressure to make it look good or impressive, it was simply and perfectly satisfying.

Dear Class of 2020 ...

Dear friends, It was an unforgettable year. It's not easy to let go of a year that ended so abruptly. But if we mutually feel the same about each other, I am confident we will cross paths again in the future. Perhaps just over the summer.

I can write to every single person that helped me become the person I am today but it would not be able to fit on this page. and I can only apologize for not having enough pictures of each and every one of you. It doesn't show my love and care, but its deeper than that, believe me. I want to thank every teacher that forced me to push myself harder academically. I want to feel the thrill of cheering on the Dreyfoos swim team again. I want to talk about books, anime, music, or have existential thoughts on the bus again. I want to stay after school and run. I want to cry frustrated tears because of calculus and feel the adrenaline rush through me when I finally understand it. I want to dress up: makeup, pretty clothes, and hair during spirit week. But I'm glad I've experienced it once before. I will remember every moment that made me cry, laugh, and scream at Dreyfoos and I want to thank every person that made me feel this way.

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DEAR CLASS OF 2021

Dear 2021 students,

I want to start off by saying "seize the day." The one regret I hold for senior year, is putting off spending time with my friends and family because I was busy with applications and everything college related. but experiences and moments are just as important in the present as in the future.

The transition from junior to senior is sudden. It can seem overwhelming and frankly you may feel unprepared. Its a personal journey for everyone as they figure out what is most important. And there is no right or wrong way to do anything your last year. trust the process, and believe in yourself. I felt like I was thrown into all of this and being 18 is still incomprehensible to me. But

You've got this!

best of luck to your own personal journey senior year,

Amber Wang

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