One summer, five years ago, junior Aydan McGah partook in a random art class whilst at summer camp. Little did McGah know that she would discover her love for painting, a hobby she would later bring back home.

“I have been painting for around five years,” McGah said. “I became interested in art when I went to summer camp one year, and we had to take art classes, so I began painting there. Then, I got home, and I continued to paint on my own.”

Although most artists learn how to create by taking several classes throughout the years, McGah took a different approach. McGah learned how to paint through copying photos online and practicing on her own.

“I paint every few months. Painting is something fun [for me] to do that is different and not stressful,” McGah said.

Despite the fact that McGah’s interest for art piqued during summer camp years ago, her passion flourished because of her mother’s inspiration.

“My mom is really good at art and is constantly making different things around the house. I think this has inspired me to make some art of my own, and I [happened] to become really interested in it over the years,” McGah said.

For McGah, she gets the most enjoyment from painting landscape pieces because of her love for nature.

“My artwork is very colorful and vibrant. I like to use a lot of bright colors to paint sunsets because I think it makes it more interesting to look at,” McGah said. “[My favorite piece I’ve created] is a landscape painting of the mountains and flowers. I really loved the picture online, so I just wanted to recreate it.”

Artists choose to create pieces for numerous different reasons, but for McGah, painting allows her to travel to a different place, away from the real world.

“Painting is something fun to do. I am able to get off technology by painting and able to do something that doesn’t involve my phone,” McGah said.

McGah’s hobby has allowed her to unwind during stressful times.

“Painting makes me feel calm since it’s an escape from all the stress from school work. It relaxes me and allows me to focus on something fun,” McGah said.

Although she doesn’t have any plans to take any official classes, McGah does intend to pursue her painting casually.

“I want to continue painting [after high school], but not classes-wise. I just want to continue to paint on my own,” McGah said.