Dagmara Cielecka

Born in Poland, on July 17th 1993. I speak nearly 3 languages. I am fluent in Polish and English and currently studying Spanish. I am a very loving person who cares about others' feelings. I am determined to be successful in the future and achieve my goals. I loved art since I held a pencil in my hand. My Art work is mostly realistic. I am really influenced by Lucian Freud and his use of texture on the skin. Also Chuck Close's realistic effects influenced me so I try produce realistic works. Jenny Saville is also one of my biggest influences. I am mostly interested in Portraiture but my other interest are Landscapes. I get my inspiration from all around. I draw portraits of friends, relatives and celebrities. I take photographs of landscapes and then paint them. Sometimes I join a few photographs together and include one of two things from each photograph to produce a unique, unknown landscape. Art is my passion and I hope I get far with it because it is what I enjoy the most as it gives me the chance to express myself through visual studies I produce. I believe Art lets you express your feelings too, through the way u produce the work.

I have never had my work exhibited anywhere. I moved from Poland to London in 2002 in hope of a better future as life in Poland was quite tough for my parents. My first days in London weren't nice at all. I couldn't speak any English and didn't have friends, only my sister.

I started going to a primary school in N16 called Jubilee primary school. I came in year 5 and didn't have no one to talk to apart from my sister and a Polish girl called Patrycja I met. First few months were a hell. I was crying everyday because I didn't understand anything. There was a teacher called Mr Cannon who was really strict, and that made me cry even more.

I had a teacher called Natalie, who I will never forget in my life. She helped me with my English a lot and because of her, I can speak English. She used to take me out of classes and practice English with me. I will never forget that!

As time went passed,I've learnt English and could speak it fluently 1 year later. I also made a lot of friends. When I had art lessons, I always used to be the best one although I am very modist and never praised my work. I've started to see that my art is different from others and started to draw every day. As day went past, my art work became b...