By Jenny Yang
As we are getting close to the spring break and wrapping up the second term of the year, I had the privilege of interviewing a very talented visual artist and photographer – Maddie Graham.
As a “lifer” at Collingwood, Maddie’s world does not solely revolve around visual art and photography. Aside from being a talented artist, Maddie has an athletic personality; confessing her love for soccer, she mentioned that as of last year, the only interest she had outside of art was to play soccer. When taking a break from the creation of art, Maddie enjoys spending time wandering around the downtown area, especially around English Bay. In terms of studio art, Maddie draws inspiration from astrology, while in photography, she enjoys capturing objects in motion.
As we are getting close to the spring break and wrapping up the second term of the year, I had the privilege of interviewing a very talented visual artist and photographer – Maddie Graham.
As a “lifer” at Collingwood, Maddie’s world does not solely revolve around visual art and photography. Aside from being a talented artist, Maddie has an athletic personality; confessing her love for soccer, she mentioned that as of last year, the only interest she had outside of art was to play soccer. When taking a break from the creation of art, Maddie enjoys spending time wandering around the downtown area, especially around English Bay. In terms of studio art, Maddie draws inspiration from astrology, while in photography, she enjoys capturing objects in motion.
Ever since she was young, a big part of Maddie’s life evolved around art: frequenting art galleries, and being inspired by the story of Emily Carr’s life, as read to her by her parents. Although they initially wanted Maddie to go into business, her parents were supportive of her decision to “follow her heart,” and to go into art school.
Believing that “art comes from within,” Maddie believes there is no set definition in regards to what art really is. “There are so many forms and so many ways to express yourself and be creative; I think art in all forms is beautiful and original,” states Maddie. Through her work, she tries to encourage people to wonder about the creation process that leads to the final product. Maddie is proud of her creativity, and of her ideas to create impressive artwork. She has the innate ability to “see her work in her head before it is started,” which is not something that everyone can achieve through training.
Wishing to use her artistic skills to benefit others in the future, Maddie aspires to become a visual art therapist and to make a difference in people’s lives through what she does best. Originally, her dream career was to become a nurse. She then realized that she could not face the battle between life and death on a daily basis, which is an essential responsibility that the role of a nurse encompasses. Still wishing to make a difference in others’ lives, Maddie explains her choice of becoming a visual art therapist. She wants to work with people who are troubled by depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses in the field where she can fully utilize her artistic talents.
Trying to make her art more “modernesque,” Maddie likes to use mixed media while creating her artwork in Studio Art. Applying to all art schools and programs across Canada, Maddie dreams of going to Concordia in the fall, majoring in photography. We wish her the best of luck in her applications and in the pursuit of her dream: making a difference in other’s lives in the future.
Believing that “art comes from within,” Maddie believes there is no set definition in regards to what art really is. “There are so many forms and so many ways to express yourself and be creative; I think art in all forms is beautiful and original,” states Maddie. Through her work, she tries to encourage people to wonder about the creation process that leads to the final product. Maddie is proud of her creativity, and of her ideas to create impressive artwork. She has the innate ability to “see her work in her head before it is started,” which is not something that everyone can achieve through training.
Wishing to use her artistic skills to benefit others in the future, Maddie aspires to become a visual art therapist and to make a difference in people’s lives through what she does best. Originally, her dream career was to become a nurse. She then realized that she could not face the battle between life and death on a daily basis, which is an essential responsibility that the role of a nurse encompasses. Still wishing to make a difference in others’ lives, Maddie explains her choice of becoming a visual art therapist. She wants to work with people who are troubled by depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses in the field where she can fully utilize her artistic talents.
Trying to make her art more “modernesque,” Maddie likes to use mixed media while creating her artwork in Studio Art. Applying to all art schools and programs across Canada, Maddie dreams of going to Concordia in the fall, majoring in photography. We wish her the best of luck in her applications and in the pursuit of her dream: making a difference in other’s lives in the future.