I’m Kimberly Gomez, a student at Alisal High School, and I use art to express myself and how I see the world. My goal as an artist is to explore and expand my creative mind, turning my ideas into solid works. My older brother, George, has greatly influenced my work since the age of nine years old. He always encourages me to pursue my artistic passion by buying me art supplies to create portraits. The most eye opening thing while being in two art classes is how to channel my feelings and express myself through projects.

In my art, I love using acrylic paint because it dries faster and makes it easier for me to blend better. This allows me to quickly bring my vision to life on the portrait. The technique I enjoy the most is layering colors to create depth and texture, by mirroring the human emotions in my art. Currently, I’m involving the theme Nostalgia, delivering the cherished memories of my childhood. While I don’t currently align with any specific artist movement, I’m extremely open to discovering new influences that will further my artistic voice. Overall, this exploration serves a big meaning to me because I can put my true feelings into a pencil or brush without speaking.

The piece I’m submitting for this show is deeply rooted in my personal journey. It represents a baby of myself alongside a 1990-1992 Gud Curious George. This art grew out of a desire to capture the transition from childhood innocence and my family’s arrival to the United States. Through this artwork, I hope I can bring a sense of nostalgia in my viewers, promoting them to reflect on their own childhood memories and a place that holds significance in their lives. The most challenging aspect of creating this piece is capturing the raw emotions of the past while embracing the present as now a young adult, a statement that I truly believe many can relate to.