Nayel Nasifa

Future Job: Neurosurgeon

Currently In: AP Art Studio Drawing

Years Doing Art: Since 5th grade

Future College: Undecided

Wingspan: When did you start getting into art?

Nasifa: “I was always into it ever since I was little. But I started taking it seriously at around 5th and 6th grade.”

Wingspan: What inspired you to get into art?

Nasifa: “My mom, definitely. My mom would always draw little palm trees and I’d be like, ‘oh that looks cool I wanna learn’ and she’d teach me how. She was sort of a catalyst for my interest in art.”

Wingspan: What type of classes have you taken?

Nasifa: “I’m mostly self-taught but I took art as an elective all throughout middle school and so far, I’ve been taking it every year of high school.”

Wingspan: How does art change your outlook on life?

Nasifa: “When you do art, you look at everything more objectively. I can see the little things- like the colors of everything. It also helps to create connections with nature and ourselves throughout the world.”

Wingspan: How do you use art to express yourself? Why?

Nasifa: “I mainly use art as a stress outlet. My art also reflects my interest at that point of time. For example, in elementary and middle school I’d be really into flowers and it’d really show in my art. Right now in high school, I’m focused on life so I do more portraits and more objects and just overall more real life rather than nature.”

Wingspan: Is this something you would consider as a career?

Nasifa: “Definitely. I wanted to do art for a while, but I wasn’t sure on how I’d carry that out. I know I have a talent in art, but the field itself makes it hard to tell if you will be successful or not- because you aren’t supposed to compare yourself to other people. I also have a dual interest, so it’s hard to decide on either pursuing art or science as a career.”

Wingspan: How does art impact you as a person?

Nasifa: “It makes me look at the world differently. Art also keeps my mind running all the time. I’m always thinking about new ideas and what my next project will be.”

Wingspan: Are there any opportunities you have received from doing art?

Nasifa: “A year ago, I was posting a piece on my Instagram story and a person I know who works for a magazine reached out to me and asked me to design a cover for their magazine. People don’t normally get to do that and it was cool to make a profit out of doing something I like to do even as a hobby because not a lot of people get to do it.”