Miss Sandi

I am very fortunate because I get to meet many brilliant young people through a youth program I co-run.

I always snigger whenever I overhear people worry about the ‘future’ world that will be left in the ‘young ones’ hands. It’s because I encounter so many wonderful young people on a regular basis and I can’t imagine why they are ever doubted. Sure, all we ever hear on TV is news of “wild teens running crazy” so I understand why people have that impression. But I’m not sure why everyone believes that is all that’s out there.

We are going to be a-o-k.

Because the world has people like Natalie Schell.

Nat is someone special. She’s a clever, intelligent and inspiring young person (fifteen years old to be exact). She’s the kind of person you always wanted to be as a teenager- funky, real, unique, smart, stylish, cool and content.

This is Nat:

These are some of Nat’s drawings:

She’s brilliant!

How long have you been drawing? How often do you draw?

How long have I been drawing for? I can’t even remember. Ever since could pick up a pencil I guess. I try to draw as much as possible. It’s not always a good thing though. It’s very distracting, especially when I am trying to do homework.

Have you ever had lessons?

I have only had a few lessons here and there. I started in around 2001. I have also done a couple of daily workshops.

Why do you love drawing?

I love drawing because when you pick up a pencil and begin to draw, you kind of enter a world of your own. One that is inspired by your emotions, thoughts, feelings and things that have happened to you and shaped your life. I guess it is one way to express your feelings without words.

What is the inspiration behind your drawings?

The inspiration I use for my drawings is a difficult question because a lot of it comes from daily experiences. Whether that’s reading a book, watching movies, images, artwork from other people, emotions, just things you tend to come across in your daily life. Sometimes you just see something and decide you’d like to try something like that, or sometimes you are just day dreaming and it comes to you.

What other forms of art do you do?

My drawings are mainly done in pencil, but I do a bit of everything. Pencil drawing for sketches, water color, oil paint, and sometimes art on the computer too. Yeah, that’s about it.

Do you plan on making a career as an artist?

Um, to tell you the truth, I haven’t really thought about it. It has always been suggested to me, and I most likely will, but no, I haven’t really thought of it as a career. I just love to draw.

What are your other passions, besides drawing?

My other passions are sport and music. I’ve been doing taekwondo for seven years now. I am a black belt. I really enjoy it, I love my club too. I also love to play guitar. I mainly play acoustic, but I have an electric as well. Just like drawing, I can escape to another world, and I find happiness as soon as I begin to strum notes.

Here are a couple more drawings:

Yep, we will be just fine.