Bailee Golden here! This month I asked Maryam El-Awadi, a painter and freshman at Louisiana Tech University, some questions about her work. You can find her paintings at https://www.instagram.com/melawadiart/

What is the most important thing you have learned so far in the art department at Louisiana Tech?

How to take and give critiques.

What is your main source of artistic inspiration?

I find inspiration in average every day people. Music is also big inspiration to me.

When did you first realize you wanted to pursue art?

I always loved art but in high school my art teacher, Maggie Boudreaux showed me that it's possible to pursue art as more than just a hobby. She always gave the class advice on how to network and how to market our art. Senior year of high school is when I decided that I definitely wanted my career to be in art.

How would you describe your artistic style?

I describe my artistic style as expressive portraits. I always like to add an element of abstraction to paintings of people.

Where do you hope to go with your art career in the future?

I'd like my artwork to be shown in galleries all over to United States. I want to try out all sorts of mediums in art beyond painting, such as sculpture and filmmaking