The young artist discovered she wanted to be an artist at an early age. She had always enjoyed drawing and coloring for as long as she could remember. But then, an elementary art teacher recognized her talent and encouraged her to enter an art contest at her school. Excited by the opportunity, she had no idea it would change her life.
The young artist remembers the exhilaration as she rushed home to create her first masterpiece. Staring at a blank page, she thought about what to draw. Then, as her crayon met the paper, a vibrant creative spark surged through her. With a vivid imagination and a heart full of creativity, her first art piece came into being.
While the young artist was so proud of her work, she entered the art contest only to face her very first loss. Although disappointed, she didn't lose hope and gave her all to every competition. With each passing year and full sketch pad or finished canvas, her art skills continued to improve. But as she repeatedly faced the same results of not placing first, second, or third, the young artist could feel her creative spark fading away.
As a senior in high school, the young artist hesitated to enter what would be her final competition. When she realized she had nothing left to lose, she decided to send the last embers of her creativity off in a blaze of glory. Soon, her final art piece was done.
It was as if time stood still when the judge walked up to the young artist and paused, holding a blue first-place ribbon. Overcome with excitement, she closed her eyes and prepared for the moment she had always dreamed of. But the moment lasted too long, and as she opened her eyes, she stared in disbelief as the judge left her behind.
The young artist started for home, holding her final art piece whose colors seemed to have faded into disappointment. As she passed a garbage can, she stopped. Through all her emotions, she looked at her piece that didn’t seem to matter anymore and, with frustration, threw it away. As she looked back one last time, she felt her creative spark completely go out.
Years passed, and the older woman decided to visit an art museum. She strolled through the galleries, admiring the many beautiful pieces on display, and her thoughts returned to her past passion for art and the creative spark that had faded. Lost in her daydream, she noticed a large crowd marveling at a specific piece.
In a mix of shock and wonder, the woman realized that the piece everyone was thrilled about was hers. Somehow, her last art piece from her last art contest had been preserved and celebrated. As she stood there amongst the crowd, she was flooded with emotions—but especially pride and joy. The memories of herself as a younger artist filled her heart and reignited the colorful, creative spark within.
Now, the grown-up artist perseveres with each stroke of her brush and with each piece she brings to life. She finally grasps the truth that all the losses she faced do not define her as a person or as an artist. So she creates not for praise, but for herself and to encourage others to hold onto their passions too. She paints knowing that the artist she had always aspired to be was never lost and that her creative spark was there to be found all along.
Emma Barraza is an artist at Boerne Champion High School with a passion for art and animation. Her art has been featured at the Boerne Library and advanced to the State VASE contest.
The inspiration for Emma’s film “Lost and Found” was based on her own personal story. As a young artist, she has realized that the outcomes of the art contests she enters do not define who she is as a person or an artist. Her animation was meant to convey the message of perseverance, and she hopes that others will connect to it. And although the story is about losing, "Lost & Found" earned Emma a First Place in her category, and she is now a State Champion with the UIL Youth Film Festival.
Watch “Lost & Found” at: youtube.com/@EmmaB_Artworks
Instagram: @emmab_artworks