Yadali Thomas, 18, is an engineering and architecture student at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. The former Miss Fifth Form, who is also a member of the HLSCC Jazz Ensemble, hopes to hold an exhibition of the portraits she’s drawn.
For as long as I can remember: since before I could even speak properly. My elder sister [would] always draw with me, and it’s always been there — something that I’ve always liked. In primary school and high school I wasn’t so much into it, but it was something that was always there, so instead of letting it go away I just decided to strengthen it more. That’s why I started drawing portraits: my friend’s face or my face. I’d look in the mirror and draw, and I started to get better and better.
Why did you choose drawing?
I can do a lot of things, to be honest, and art is just the thing that is easy for me to promote now. I honestly like music, and music and drawing have nothing to do with each other.
As an artist, what inspires your artwork?
Others’ art. My friend Cody Williams inspires me. He’s an artist as well. Nature inspires me and keeps me going. Another thing [is] social media and how we’re able to connect to the world: You can just look up art. You get to see everybody’s artwork, and that makes you feel like you want to be a part of that as well. I want to feel like these people and be as great as them.
Whose art do you admire?
I would say Leonardo da Vinci, who was a genius in every aspect. I look up his work, and [not only did he] draw but he was an engineer. That’s sort of like how art and architecture connect.
How do you prepare yourself for creating a piece?
One of my teachers said the more time you put into something, the better it looks. Sometimes I just pick up a paper and a pencil and I’ll draw: The more time I put into it, the more it develops into something good. If I have something in mind, I’d even write it down. I would rather be in a quiet environment with not much movement around me where I could focus and where I know I have enough time where nobody is distracting me.
How long does it take you to draw a piece?
I like to perfect my drawings, so I might take ten minutes to start and [pick it] back up [the next day] and keep on that routine, so it takes a whole week just to finish a simple drawing. But if I have to put it in a time compact, it would be like maybe two hours.
What else are you passionate about?
Writing. I always try to make time, and time management [should be] a very important factor for any young person. I like to write anything. Any idea [that] comes to mind, I write it down, and that’s the most important thing to do. Maybe later I’d have the opportunity to develop that idea.
Do any of the pieces you’ve created symbolise anything in particular?
One of the latest was a drawing of this young boy. I tried to distort it a little bit. What I did was make his eyes bigger and made it so unrealistic that I added a dark blue and then the background was all psychedelic. I didn’t think it meant anything special, but I just wanted to try something new so I could expand my area.
Have you taken any special classes to learn how to draw?
None whatsoever.
What do you think makes an artist?
Confidence in yourself and not being afraid to try something else. You have to respect others’ work who came before you. My friend — a musician, but he also does art — always tells me faith, consistency and hard work.
Are these qualities you see in yourself as an artist?
I have a lot of faith. For consistency, it comes with time management. As you learn to manage your time, you can manage consistency too, so that’s something I’m working on.
Is art an important part of your life?
Very much. If I ever had to drop anything — not saying I want to ever stop doing music — but drawing would be the last thing I drop. I hate to think about stopping either.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?
Never hinder yourself because you’re afraid of what somebody might think. Whatever the feedback is, whether positive or negative, you should use it to help you grow.
Interview conducted, condensed, and edited by Christina Kissoon.
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