Changing Modesto and the world, one drawing at a time

I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I am the middle child in a family of five. When I was 7, my mother became homesick so my family, along with my auntie, uncle and my three cousins, relocated to my mother’s hometown, where she was born and raised — Modesto, California.

Going from elementary school in Atlanta to Modesto, I experienced culture shock. It was very difficult for me to be in class and see no one look like me or sound like me. I remember thinking, ‘‘Where are all the Black people?’’ But even when I felt alone in school I had my older cousin and older sister to help me out through the years.

When middle school came, I was a bit nervous to go to a different school. I remember sitting in class one day, finished with my class work, and I started to draw. A few strokes, a little blending and darkening, and I made an eye.

I was reminded of my kindergarten class back in Atlanta, and my teacher said, “Kids, play time!” I remember being so happy, I jumped up and went right to the new paint set that my teacher got and dipped my paintbrush in every color that the coloring bowl had. I used to hate when playtime was over, but I knew that I would do it all again the next day. I used to paint and color every day. My teacher said to me, “Baby, you change the world with your paintings; keep doing what you’re doing.”

The last year of middle school, I started drawing realistically and my drawings are getting better. My dad told me on the day that I wanted to give up on drawing, “Suggaba (Sugar Bear) you have a gift; use the talent that God gave you.”

I knew what I had to do. My freshman year I drew realistic drawings of people I found on Google and realistic drawings of my friend to sell to her. I am now a sophomore in high school and I am now selling my artwork. I need some work but I think this is the start to something amazing.

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” — Pablo Picasso