My Life as It Reflects Artes Anonymous

Michelangelo, perhaps the most renowned painter of the Renaissance, once said: “A man paints with his brains and not with his hands.” I interpret this quote to mean that art is created with the intention to convey ideas and express emotions as well as opinions. All three of those concepts are very important to me, I suppose because I am an artist by nature. The values embodied in Artes are reflected in my life in my pursuit of filmmaking, a passion I embrace and pursue every day.

As an American teenager, my life consists mainly of attending high school. I see that as an ideal opportunity to observe the human condition. My school is a fertile landscape of ideas for films, and so I approach each school day as an intellectual pursuit -- not only in my classes, but everywhere. For instance, as I sit in the cafeteria during lunch, I am keenly observing my peers as they interact with each other, react to their surroundings, etc. That observation invariably provokes questions that lead to ideas for my films, my venue for seeking answers.

In addition to its utility in answering questions, filmmaking is also an outlet for me to express my emotions. Art is a healthy and positive way for humans to embrace the wide range of emotions that...