Art has helped many people, like Oyler 8th grade student, Amaiah Edwards, and freelance graphic designer, Dave Flege.

Amaiah Edwards was inspired by Studio Ghibli; she loves art and does art all the time. Amaiah especially drawing by pencil.

“Art helped me by providing an outlet for me to explore who I am and also to show others how I see the world in my perspective,” Amaiah said.

Amaiah said art helped her mental health and helps them open up by showing people the view from their eyes.

Before art, Amaiah felt like she couldn’t show people who she was, but now that she does art, she feels like she could express herself more, and find who she is better.

Dave Flege also creates are professionally as a graphic designer, and uses art to express his feelings. He has helped Oyler Media Arts students do the same by teaching us about graphic design.

Dave said “when I don’t have words, it’s a lot easier for me to just sketch out or draw a picture. It’s a great way for me to express my emotions.”

Dave has guided Oyler students by creating Doodle for Google submissions which helped students like me.

Through the contest submissions I learned that I shouldn’t second guess myself, and that I should have be more confident in my art.

When doing the Doodle for Google submissions I felt good and like Dave said “Its a great way for me to express my emotions.” We spent six days in a row from 10 to around 11 a.m. working with Dave on our designs to submit to the national competition. You can see some of our progress in the pictures below.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Dave also gave some advice to younger artists.

“I would say don’t question yourself. Don’t doubt yourself. Just do it. I mean, don’t be intimidated by anybody see what anybody’s opinion is. Just draw because you just love expressing yourself in keep drawing don’t kind of make yourself do it until it becomes just a natural part of your life. It’s like breathing,” said Dave.

Dave continues to work with students on their graphic design skills every Friday this semester.

Also Bloomberg Philanthropies said that people that have a creative hobbies like art has a less chance of facing depression and anxiety.

Tune in to see if any Oyler students, like me, win the Doodle for Google contest.