Local Senior at Hillsborough High School, artist Judy Quiroz has been creating art ever since she realized it was what she really wanted to pursue, rather than biology. She plans on attending Raritan Valley Community College for two years and hopes to transfer to Montclair State University, where she would like to major in Graphic and Interactive Design. She is currently taking many fundamental classes to prepare her for college.
“I want to focus on personal projects,” Quiroz said. “I want to get my art out there.” Quiroz states that she would like to work on opening a small business, as she will have some downtime in the summer.
“I think my emotions motivate me to make art. It’s based on emotions that I’m feeling, but I feel things very strongly, and I use that to fuel what I do, on paper.” She explains that one of her favorite and most impactful pieces is a personal one. “It’s a piece of my back I took in my bathroom. My hands are on my back, and this piece shows off my back acne. I guess you could say the theme for my AP art portfolio is relationships with your own body versus other people’s body,” Quiroz shared. “I used a lot of colors that compliment each other, even though I was showing something that was supposed to be gross. I really like that piece because it made something that feels gross seem pretty.” Quiroz said.
“The portfolio that they ask for is about what pieces that represent you best, and what your strongest craftsmanship are.” Quiroz stated. “I don’t think it’s about what’s perfect, but about showing who you are as an artist and your style. Everyone has their own accent when they talk, just like everyone has their own style when they make art. It’s important to pick the pieces that represent you and differentiate you from other people.”
Quiroz shares some insight for young aspiring. “Don’t be embarrassed to pursue art,” she said. “For me, at least, everyone was saying ‘Stem Careers are so much safer,’ I originally wanted to go into Biology for a really long time, and then thought ‘I don’t want to do this. I want to pursue art.”
She cautions young artists against letting the input of others direct their futures. “It’s just about being yourself, being brave, and pursuing what you actually want to do without other people’s opinions shifting you into something safer,” Quiroz said.
