Natalie Kang Qian Yi, a psychology major, had always dreamed of being an artist as a child. However, the pressure of academia set in with the process of growing up and her dream was deemed unrealistic and unwise. She was no longer allowed to doodle, paint or color. However, this assignment sparked within her the longing once again to relive the dream of being an artist which had been shelved away due to its perceived impracticality.

Embarking on the journey of being an artist, she found herself questioning what it really meant to be an artist. Do all artists produce beautiful art pieces or artists are just individuals who use art to express themselves? As par of her artistic experience, she started an art journal where she would express herself through any form of art every day, and at the same time, purposefully engage in art experiences such as portrait drawing or painting during weekends. The daily documenting of the journal had become an outlet to release her emotions. Reflecting on the process, she felt that it was a rather mysterious experience with times she felt inspired to draw or creating something but there were also times when a blank sheet seems like the rest representation. The experience had also taught her that everyone can be an artist in their own way, as every stroke that came in contact with the paper was an expression and extension of one's self.

Another part of her experience of being an artist was visiting art galleries as well as venues of the Singapore Beinnale where she learned to appreciate the art of others, to look t and understand art pieces from the viewpoint of others. One of the art pieces which struck her was "Detritus" by Leslie de Chavez from the Philippines who depicted the corruption of the country where different layers of meaning were depicted and the artist was able to express his views in such a striking but yet subtle manner which inspired Natalie not just to make art, but to speak through them. Another inspiration came from a wooden tree which has carvings on it which inspired Natalie to do something similar through crayon etching. Another breakthrough was working on her art in public as she would have never imagined herself sitting at the pavilion painting. It was a daunting experience and most challenging because she never had confidence in her work. It was a struggle to pull herself away from the urge of tearing the painting up prior to completing it but she was ale to pull through. The experience made her realize a very important lesson--if you do not value your art, you cannot expect the rest to.

Living the past month as an artist, she learned that she should do art for herself and to take pride in it. The T-shirt she made received a comment "a dirty piece of rag" which upset her and as he scrunched it up, wiping the paints on her hands with it, she was pleasantly surprised by the effect she created and she repeated the process and felt the joy of playing and experiencing with the paints. Instead of focusing the art, she focused on "creating art."

She reported that she enjoyed the experience being an "artist" of having the opportunity and making time to engage in an artistic endeavor. Her perspective of what it entailed to be an artist had changed. Facing many struggles and obstacles, the experience had made her stronger. She believes now that it is possible to continue to be an artist in her own little ways, to slow down ad sacrifice little time to experience and engage in what she really enjoys while managing academics. Se realized that art is not simply about the technique, the scale or the prestige ad it didn't matter whether her art will ever be hung in a gallery because to her, art is personal. Art is the expression of the artist through a medium that is only limited by the artist's own mind.