In life there are frustrations and disappointments and each young person has his or her own way of dealing with the challenges of the day. Some choose to play sports or video games, while others may opt for reading or some other form of relief. Nineteen-year-old Adrian John, however, deals with his stresses by disappearing into a world where he is the creator, a world where he brings to life whatever his mind visualises. He disappears into his world of art.
John, an Upper Six student of St Benedict's College, La Romaine, sees art as much more than merely drawing on a piece of paper or painting on an easel. To him, art is the window to his life and his way of chronicling his experiences. "Art is very important in venting. After a stressful day, I go in my room and pick up whatever sketch pad or clay I have, and just do my thing," he said. Whether it be drawing, painting, or moulding clay to make ceramics, John is comfortable with his hands and each of his pieces takes on a life of its own.
Having only taken up making ceramics two years ago, and drawing and painting for the past four, John may be considered a newcomer by some, but the skill shown in his creations betrays his years. He has entered several art competitions nationwide, including Sanfest, the Heroes of Mayaro Competition, as well as the WASA 25th Inter American Water Day competition. "I am a temperamental artist. Whatever my mood is, that will determine what my art is," he explained, adding that he feels gratified when people find his work intriguing. Acknowledging that not everyone will be a fan of his work and he must have some detractors, John said even negative comments and attitudes have their place in his overall growth and development because they will keep him humble, as well as make him stronger and more determined to do his best.
"I like to do the kind of art that will make you think." When he is not hard at work preparing for his upcoming Physics, Pure Maths, Computer Science and Art exams, the soft-spoken student is constantly searching his surroundings for potential ideas. "Art is important and it is everywhere around you. Once you can appreciate life around you, you can appreciate art." The young man, who plans to attend the University of the West Indies, reasoned that one of the main ingredients to any type of success is focus.
He also stressed heavily on the importance of spirituality and acknowledging God as the ultimate creator of life and of art. To his peers and other young people, John's advice is simple: strive for the best and believe in yourself. "If you can be creative, you can be doing something constructive with the extra time on your hands, so that you wouldn't be with the wrong crowd and find yourself at the wrong place at the wrong time," he said. "Strive for the best. Art, along with everything else, requires commitment. "Trust in God and believe in yourself. You are capable of doing your best so do it and don't let others bring you down."
