Olivia Emma Koleszar
on finding a place to belong, in charcoal, ink, and color.
"My art belonged somewhere, and so did I."
O'Keeffe's "My New Yorks." These works were created in the 1920s when it wasn't socially acceptable for women to be painting such sharp and geometric buildings, as they weren't "feminine" enough. Standing in front of the large canvases, I saw my own life. O'Keeffe insisted on painting on her own terms, not what other people told her to. Her story led me to explore my creativity and interests, so I signed up for my school's art class.
Although I was nervous, and my skills weren't the most advanced, I enjoyed it because it was a place where I could express my ideas without fear of messing up. I was free to experiment with turning my emotions into something tangible. I continued using art to explore my personal identity, and with each project my confidence and ability grew. The next year, I drew a charcoal piece of a hand stuck in a fish bowl and an adjacent hand holding an empty fish bag. Subconsciously, I painted myself. I didn't want to force myself to fit into a fish bowl where I didn't belong while holding onto my identity, looking for a place to put it.
By chance, my art was chosen to be showcased at the same museum where I saw Georgia O'Keeffe's show. Seeing my work in the same place that inspired me to pursue my own creativity filled me with pride, disbelief, and gratitude for seeing how far I'd come. My art belonged somewhere, and so did I.
