How Art Classes Challenged and Motivated Me as an Artist

My love for art started long before I ever stepped foot into a formal classroom. I always gravitated toward any type of creative assignment in grade school—whether it was decorating a poster, sketching for a project, or designing a book cover, I was in. So when the opportunity came to take art as an elective in high school, I jumped at the chance.

High school art was where I first started to understand the importance of practice, patience, and exploration. But it wasn’t until college that I truly felt challenged—and motivated—as an artist. I enrolled in a range of courses, from foundational classes to more specialized ones like photography. Each class stretched me in a different way.

College art courses weren’t easy. They demanded more discipline, more technique, and more intention behind what we created. But I enjoyed every minute of it. I got to study with other artists who were just as passionate, each of us bringing a unique style and perspective to the assignments. That diversity of expression inspired me. Even when we were all working on the same project, the outcomes were never the same. Everyone had their own way of interpreting the world—and that was a powerful thing to witness.

Art classes gave me more than just skills—they gave me confidence, structure, and a deeper appreciation for the craft. They also reminded me that growth often comes from being challenged. And for that, I’m grateful.