Kavya Patni

Dear Lakshmi Ma’am,

I attended to your art classes back in 2019 when I was 10 years old, but that was only for a while. I had to stop because my eye power kept increasing during online school. I still remember bits and pieces of those physical classes, the idea of being surrounded by a dozens of extremely talented kids gave me so much confidence in my work back then. Now, after 5 years, I joined the art class again, and I have to be honest and admit that I was a bit skeptical about online art classes. The idea seemed impractical and underwhelming. Although, the day I had started these online classes, my mind was blown away. Sure, I was very nervous to start art class again after a long time, especially an online one as I was always one to not speak up. Right as I entered the class, you asked me to say a bit about myself to the class and my heart was beating like I had just run a marathon. I did end up speaking, not great but I did nonetheless.

The one thing that shocked me was the amount of communication in class. The class was so lively and heartwarming I never wanted it to end. The part I love the most are the discussions, I never really understood why we did it in the first few weeks of classes, but after months of listening to other people’s opinions and giving mine as well, I finally understood. The discussions aren’t just pointing out other people’s “mistakes” or “corrections”; it’s about how other people may view the same exact sketch or painting, completely different from yours. It has helped me learn so much. The very first class, I was asked if I knew what ‘foreshortening’ was. I was pretty much blank because I had never heard of such a word before. On the very same day I had learned what it was and it has stuck with me since then. These discussions have really helped me, not only with my knowledge about art theory but it has also helped me express my thoughts and to think individually, without depending on another person’s opinion. These simple discussions have also helped me improve my speaking skills in only a matter of months. Though we only speak for mere seconds, these seconds have changed the way I speak so much. I am so much more confident in speaking on stage and doing impromptus in school. Even my school teachers have noticed this change in me.

Along with my art skills, my speaking skills have improved tremendously. I remember my sketches used to be filled with double lines, a ton of erasing, and so much more. But the practice given to me helped me progress my sketches so much. I was never really into oil pastels, I always thought they were kind of messy. But that was until I saw the artworks of the other oil pastel students. Their artworks were absolutely gorgeous. The defined and proper lines, the blending, everything about their works was amazing. And after a few oil pastel artworks, I too grew to love them. After around 8 months of attending art class, you told me my improvement in my drawings. I never really saw until it was pointed out and it made me so happy. To know that I was progressing so much made me feel like a kid in a candy shop, and to know that others could see it too was an accomplishment. And I don’t think I could have advanced so much in a medium I wasn’t very comfortable with was astonishing. And all this improvement in so many areas could not have been possible without your help, Lakshmi ma’am.

Every class, you never fail to greet us all with the biggest smile on your face. You never criticize anyone in a negative manner when it comes to the improvement or correction of the pictures. I feel like every correction you make sticks by all of us till the end, and we never forget to apply it out future pictures. Your dedication is honestly unreal; you push us to be the best versions of ourselves, whether it’s in art or anything else, you always support us no matter what. You truly inspire me to be the most I can be and you’ve helped me so much in these short, few months. You’ve helped so many people grow, not only their art but also them themselves. I’m truly so lucky to have you as my teacher.

Art class is and will always be the highlight of the week for me, those two hours are precious and so calming, I can forget about everything and solemnly focus on the thing I love, which is art. Even the students in class have the kindest hearts. Their artworks are as beautiful as their words! From looking at literal museum worthy art pieces, to building up my confidence in art to make a career out of it, these art classes are the best place be. You never realize how much you needed to hear the “this looks so great!” or even a simple “wow”, and Lakshmi ma’am and the students never fail to say those words.

Thank you for believing in me since the very first day, ma’am.
Kavya Patni