For my artwork, "The joy of growing up," I painted a picture of myself as a child with a bright, colorful background. "The joy of growing up" is a piece about feeling different from other kids and wanting out. My whole childhood I felt different, mainly because of the way I was raised, how I looked, and my ADHD. I always felt outcasted from the rest of the kids, alienated by my teachers and peers. This piece is a connection, or call to my younger self, telling them it will be ok, to be who they want to be and not let others affect them.