Creativity can be a powerful way for people to express their emotions and ideas. Art allows many individuals to release their feelings in a safe and meaningful way. With so many different forms of creativity, Maddison Kiem (11) has found her passion in drawing and digital media.
Kiem has been practicing art for seven years. At first, Kiem started doodling on homework assignments out of spite after a sibling shamed them for bad grades. Kiem has also faced a lot of backlash from former friends who would compare their artwork to that of more popular artists, trying to bring Kiem’s art down.
“I wanted to prove them wrong,” Kiem said.
To this day, Kiem continues to get some criticism for their artwork, but now they use it as motivation to prove all their doubters wrong.
Kiem used this as fuel to not only be the best artist they can be but also to be a supportive person to their friends. Kiem helps all their friends with their emotions and considers their greatest strength to be helping others express their emotions.
Kiem encourages others to talk about their problems and emotions out loud. This skill, mixed with their passion for art, inspired Kiem’s future career as an art therapist. As an art therapist, Kiem would help her clients improve their mental and physical well-being through art. Kiem wants to help people find and experience art the way she does.
But for now, Kiem continues to practice their art and has even started taking commissions for their digital art, which they have been practicing for over four years.
To Kiem, art is more than just a drawing on a screen or sketching in a notebook. It’s a way to turn emotions into something meaningful. Through their work and goal of becoming an art therapist, Kiem hopes to show people that creativity can be a powerful way to heal, grow, and express who they truly are.
