DANIEL Grade: 12th School: Gibbs High School Interests: painting, writing, reading, running, backpacking, hiking, guitar On Starting: "Ever since I was little I've loved to draw. In middle school, teachers started to motivate and support me. And now it's a part of me; I couldn't leave it if I tried!"

Favorite Medium: "You can't beat oil painting as a medium. You can play with it longer, and it has luscious tones and colors." Favorite Art Subjects: "I prefer abstract, because I get more out of it. A straight rendering doesn't show emotion and feeling like an abstract work. There should be a balance between the conceptual and the aesthetic. My work is based on life and love. It's about passion, what keeps me going in life." Influences: "I am inspired by music with no lyrics and other art forms, as well as what's going on in my life. I draw it from all over!" Unique Technique: "I work a lot with color. I see the world in bright colors and try to portray that. I do mixed-media works too, creating a hybrid." Goals: "I'll always continue to paint. I'd like a career in fine arts, or in art education teaching kids how to paint, or in a museum." For All You Young Artists Out There: "Start now."