“My name is Ana Bustos. I have lived in Okeechobee as long as I can remember. I have never excelled at school and I have always felt under pressure to meet people’s expectations. Art helped me move past that and grow as an individual. I feel like the only time I actually do what I want and take in account of how I feel is though art. The mediums I use are pastels, watercolor and oil. I lean towards these because I am a soft person emotionally so these mediums help me flow better when working. I believe art is a form of meditation for me and the day I stop feeling is the day I stop making art.”

“My name is Julie. I am 18 and have loved to draw for as long as I can remember. Art is the freedom to express the things you feel without having to say them out loud. My favorite art style is character designs & illustrations, usually featuring some kind of fantasy element & a childlike feel. I enjoy using pencils & ink to sketch and markers & watercolors to give bright and loose pigments to my pieces. Some of my art has been described as having a 90’s pop-culture feel and some has been described as charming & cutesy. A majority of my works fluctuate in style as a result of my inability to find satisfaction in a single way of drawing. The way my pieces look almost always depends on the atmosphere I am in, my current mood/emotion, and just how adventurous I am feeling.”

“My name is Jasmin Santana, 16, born and raised in Florida. Since I’ve moved to Okeechobee I’ve taken a bigger leap in my motivation into my art pieces. My favorite medium to use is pen, I feel that using pen provides me to think on the spot if I make mistakes and create them to be a part of the piece; as well in love with the sketchy appeal. I’ve always been a lover of arts, and although I get frustrated, I’m glad to pursue my passion to share my art.”

“I grew up in Florida without traveling much. My work is influenced by other cultures & traditions. My work exhibits important and influential figures. I study humanity and the roles within society. To emphasize the impact of my art I use gold leaf as a medium. There are many common motifs within the work. As a whole, my work explores the idea of expansion & growth. As a child I remember observing people and their interaction within the environment. The idea of how influence impacts one so strongly. The medium used is acrylic and oil paint. I use acrylic as a way to express the strokes and free use. The choice to paint is to exhibit the piece in a way that shows thought.”

“My name is Jordyn Shreves. I was born in Sebring, FL. All my life I’ve been creative in some form including makeup and fashion. Recently I’ve been voicing my feelings through art. I have not been an artist for too long. I’d say I have been painting and drawing for a year now. I have much to learn and whether I make something of it or not I will always continue to voice my emotions and ideas through whatever I feel is best. It is important to be your own individual. Nobody will ever be just like you.