Currently an artist in AP 2D Art and Design, junior Maggie Cao has always been drawn to bold, vibrant colors. To Maggie, these colors do not just symbolize joy and euphoria— she associates these bright hues with certain candies she ate during her childhood. She explores this recurring nostalgia as the foundation of her artwork and AP portfolio.
Maggie explains that certain foods and sweets she indulged in as a child hold core memories and deep sentimentality for her. On a particular Halloween, Maggie recalls that she once ate half of her candy bag and ended up sick in bed the next day. Laughing, she remembers her mom blaming the sickness on the candy; when in reality, it was most likely from the cold night. Such instances like these keep Maggie rooted in her past as she remembers the experiences that have shaped who she is today.
Straying away from gray tones in her artwork, Maggie embraces a rainbow of colored pencils in her art as she believed they would have the best pigment. She feels that gray and neutral tones tend to dull her work, making it seem monotonous and uninteresting. Candy, however, captivated her not only for its brightness but also for its imperfections—the tiny creases and crinkles in the wrappers. Colored pencils allowed her to layer these details with depth and precision. After learning color theory, undertones, and shading in Visual Art 2 Drawing, she was eager to apply those skills to this piece.
Originally drawing inspiration from reference images on Pinterest, Maggie wanted to emphasize the vibrancy of the candy wrappers by drawing them on a black background. Not only does this help the candy pop, but it also symbolizes how childhood nostalgia can act as a beacon of light in the darkness of our lives. Childhood experiences shape our personalities and perspectives as our innocence and purity as children allow for hope and morality to shine though.
Reminiscing on these past memories can truly help keep us rooted in our true selves, remembering a time where we did not care about the opinions of others. Revisiting these moments allows Maggie to reconnect with her most genuine self, defining her childhood as a time of wonder. Through her art, Maggie continues to celebrate the vividness of her past, reminding us that even the smallest of memories can color our lives in the brightest ways.