Saraj Khaja
Sara Khaja artistic expression
Grade: 11
Future job: orthopedic specialist
College: undecided
Wingspan: How long have you been drawing?
Khaja: “I had always drawn since elementary school, but I began actively taking art since 6th grade.”
Wingspan: What is it about art that catches your attention?
Khaja: “I really enjoy seeing artist’s unique styles and I’ve always wanted to create my own that captures the emotion of the piece”
Wingspan: Who is your favorite artist?
Khaja: “I don’t have an exact top artist, but at the moment I’m really into this Instagram artist called for infinity because they have a really cool watercolor technique and really detailed realism that I aspire to be able to do.”
Wingspan: What is your favorite style to use in your paintings?
Khaja: “I like to have a mix of semi-realism in my pieces because it allows the artist to have freedom over certain details that are included and create a distinct piece that is also recognizable.”
Wingspan: Why did you paint the piece that is outside the art hallway? What inspired you?
Khaja: “We were offered the opportunity to do open canvas at the beginning of the school year, and I was intrigued at the idea of making a painting of that size, so I signed up with my friend Astrid to do it together.”
Wingspan: What inspired you?
Khaja: “We were mainly inspired by our own aesthetics as well as what we enjoy seeing in art and in real life for that piece. We both have an appreciation of nature and a passion for drawing people, so we combined the two to create the painting.”
COVID-19 numbers rise after break
With the holiday season having wrapped up, COVID unfortunately is doing the opposite. With a sudden spike in cases on Jan. 3, 291,630 new cases were recorded that day in the U.S, compared to the typical 140,000-240,000 cases that are recorded normally.
The sudden spike in cases isn’t so sudden if one thinks about the fact that it was right after Christmas and New Year’s Eve; two very popular holidays involving getting together with friends and family. The well-being of thousands was sacrificed for a couple of days that occur every year. With everything 2020 has brought, it makes sense to leave the year with a bang and not care, however in doing so one risks the lives of so many people, and the possibilities 2021 could bring.
2021 is already off to a rough start, and the tremendous amount of new cases brought by recklessness during the holidays adds to that. One can only hope that as the year progresses, things will get better. That can only be achieved if everyone continues to follow CDC guidelines and wear their masks despite things seeming “better”. 2021 holds numerous possibilities, and we’re in control of the outcome.