Dessie Sutej

I started painting when I was about 17 years old, it was wintertime. I had been drawing since I was young, I didn't think much of it but I loved doodling on whatever empty space I had on my school papers, I loved drawing portraits, eyes and realistic human hearts. I never thought that was something I was going to do as I aspired to become a lawyer, but I realised i had talent since I always got good grades in art class and everybody seemed impressed by what I had created. One day I looked outside the window as it was snowing, it was a few days away from Christmas. My family was poor and so was I obviously so I had nothing to give to my family, I had no idea what to do so I asked my mother for 20 dollars and went to a cheap store to get some art materials. I figured I would do the only thing that people seemed to praise me by, art, in order to give my family members Christmas gifts. It was the first time I ever painted with a paintbrush on a canvas. When I sat down to let my creativity flow, I realised how calming painting was for my mind. It filled my heart with happiness just adding colours and seeing my creation come to life. I had been dealing with depression for years and years so whenever I would feel down I would start pickin...

I don't have an art education since I dropped out of school since it felt like I was going to hell and back everytime I went to school, I couldn't bare to take anymore, It even got me to being suicidal. But if it makes a difference I always got top grades in art class.