Emily's Swirl of Confusion

Question

A. Gautam

Emily couldn’t think of the best idea for her art. She wanted it to be perfect. Just like Mrs. Parks said, Emily wanted her art to show what she was feeling.

How is it possible to do it? Emily thought. She remembered all the paintings Mrs. Parks showed in class. She had told the class what feeling each painting showed. It is just too hard, Emily thought. She stared at the canvas and held the paint brush.

Art Day was a festival at Dule Elementary. Even the parents were there to look at the student art. Nat and Pam asked Emily to show them her art. Emily was nervous.
What if my parents hate my painting, Emily thought. But she guided them to the wall where all of the 5th grade artwork was hung. I wonder if they can pick out mine, Emily thought.

“What a fabulous red and purple swirl,” Pam said. “Is that one yours, Em?”

“Does it mean confusion?” Nat asked.

“You two do know me,” Emily said, smiling. “Let’s see what Mrs. Parks thinks. Look! She’s at the microphone!”

“Not every work of art is meant to be understood. If you want to show what you are feeling, and what you are feeling is hard to explain, the artwork would show it. And, that is completely okay. The painting with the most number of votes is Emily Roper’s Untitled. I invite Emily to accept the award,” Mrs. Parks announced.

Answer 1

Emily felt her heart race as she stepped forward, a mix of excitement and disbelief coursing through her. She had poured her heart into that swirling canvas of red and purple, unsure if it would resonate with anyone. As she approached the microphone, she could see her parents beaming with pride, their smiles encouraging her.

“Thank you, Mrs. Parks, and thank you to everyone who liked my painting,” Emily said, her voice wavering but growing stronger with each word. “When I created it, I wanted to show how mixed up I sometimes feel. The colors are all jumbled together, and that’s how my thoughts can be—like a swirl of confusion.”

There was a soft murmur of understanding from the audience. Emily glanced at Nat and Pam, who were nodding, their faces reflecting the shared emotions she had struggled to express. As she looked back at her artwork, a sense of relief washed over her. It wasn’t just a collection of colors on a canvas; it was a piece of her, a representation of her feelings in that moment.

Mrs. Parks stepped closer and added, “Art has the power to communicate what words cannot. Emily, you’ve achieved that beautifully. Remember, it’s okay to feel confused. Your art can help you find clarity.”

Emily felt a rush of gratitude. The swirl of colors that had once felt chaotic now seemed alive, dancing with the emotions she had finally given voice to. As she accepted the small trophy, a surge of inspiration flowed through her. Perhaps this was just the beginning of her artistic journey.

After the ceremony, she moved back towards her friends. “I guess confusion can lead to something beautiful after all,” she said, her smile brightening.

Pam grinned. “And that’s why your art speaks to us. It’s real.”

Nat chimed in, “Let’s make sure to keep experimenting with our art. Who knows what we might create next?”

Emily nodded, feeling a newfound confidence. She was ready to explore, to embrace her feelings—swirls of confusion and all—and create art that reflected them. A colorful future awaited her, one brushstroke at a time.