A once blank canvas is now painted with color, the vibrancy of the watercolors covering the patches of white. But some still remain — places unpainted, still open with opportunity. Leaving those pockets of white is crucial in senior Vika Gautham’s process. For her, an incomplete art piece isn’t a failure and instead a world of possibilities for the future.

“There’s this Japanese concept, you eat until you’re 80% full and leave 20%,” Vika said. “I do that with art, so I work until I think I’m 80% done. The canvas doesn’t have everything covering it, and there’s still stuff that could be added, but it looks finished. This way, it’s always up for new things, because sometimes my perspectives will change. Art is constantly changing, and that’s really been something I’ve enjoyed about art because I can see a full journey in one piece.”

That same ideology allows Vika to approach her artwork with an open mindset with regard to creating the “perfect” piece. Rather than committing herself to the first concept she formulates, Vika lets herself adapt her artwork as her own opinion evolves.

“The product that we have in our minds most of the time is never what we finish with, but you work so hard to try and get that, like ‘This color doesn’t match with how I wanted it to be,’” Vika said. “That image that we have in our mind is never aligned with our finished product. It’s important to acknowledge most of the time it’s never going to be like that because our minds are so fixated on what we think is perfect and it’s usually not going to happen, but the end product is still really beautiful and I think that’s something that people should keep holding on to.”

Vika extends that openness when she interprets others’ work as well. Often, as a part of exercises at her art studio, she and her peers will provide feedback and analyze each others’ art, an experience Vika uses to expand her skill set. 

“People have art styles, and that art style is like a fingerprint,” Vika said. “No one has the same style. Trying to think in terms of how people do their art is really interesting because I’m trying to picture myself as them and how they approach a painting. You’re trying to think about the meaning and what they could be trying to convey in this image. My experience as an artist grows because I’m thinking about things from different ways and different perspectives.”

Close friend senior Jessica Wang appreciates Vika’s open and supportive nature, especially when helping others around her. Even when she is committed to her own work, Vika makes herself available, whether someone needs help with schoolwork or a friend to chat with.

“She’s hardworking for herself but also so selfless,” Jessica said. “She’s the type who studies herself and also helps others because she wants them to succeed too. She’s really helpful and just wants the best for everyone else. She always shares study materials with me and helps me study.”

English teacher Brigid Miller recognizes a similar welcoming energy in Vika, both in the classroom and out. While Miller taught Vika for the first time in her junior year, she has known her for much longer. Even when Vika was a young kindergarten student in the same class as Miller’s son, she brought peace and a sense of focus.

“The first thing I think of when I think of Vika is how she is so sweet and kind,” Miller said. “There’s a warmth that exudes from her. She puts forth this sense of calm, even-keeled. Nothing seemed to bother her or get her flustered. She’s steady, dependable.”

For Vika, the lessons art taught her are limitless. As she enters the next stage of her life, she knows that art will continue being a way to ground herself and remind her of the goals she holds, while also bringing the calm energy she exudes regularly.

“Life is always busy,” Vika said. “Life is always moving, and we always have something to do, no matter what. Art allows me to freeze time. I don’t have to worry about anything. All I have to do is focus on what’s in front of me and focus on myself. If you don’t focus on yourself, then eventually you’re going to burn out and withdraw. Taking this time to reflect on myself, reflect on who I am, what I want and what I need just by doing something I love makes it worth it.”