As she puts the finishing touches on her drawing, junior Tara Hadipour is in a calm frame of mind. Using art as a form of meditation, Hadipour escapes from reality through her pastels, paints and pencils.

“Art eliminates all the distractions around me and puts me in a state of calmness and peace,” said Hadipour. “I use art as a scapegoat to distract myself from everything around me.”

As a young girl, Hadipour spent hours with her grandmother working on various art projects. With her grandma’s encouragement, Hadipour began taking art lessons at the age of 8. Although she eventually stopped taking classes, Hadipour continues to try new techniques and learn new methods. She still applies everything her grandmother taught her about the craft in her artwork today.

“I’ve enjoyed drawing for as long as I can remember,” said Hadipour. “I fell in love with art because my grandmother and I always used to do art projects together when I was younger.”

Although Hadipour does not want to pursue art as a career path, she intends to continue her passion as a hobby. Hadipour’s love for art inspires her to try different things, and she is constantly looking for something new to create. Always thinking outside the box, Hadipour is able to translate her imagination and creativity into her artwork.