By Marley Brennan
Staff Writer
NAHS reached a record amount of submissions this year, and the selected pieces were chosen by six representative members of schools that make up the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD).Uchida’s most recent award was her selection for the 2022 NAHS.
“I entered competitions for participation and practice, not expecting to win,” Uchida said. “There were also two other artists from our school selected from this one, Jamison Wallis and Jennalee Leopard. Two-hundred artworks were selected from the 1,665 submissions.”
Uchida noted that her current favorite piece that she painted is called “Red Elevator,” which was selected for the NAHS. According to Uchida, she loves the atmosphere in the piece and recalls it being her first time painting with oil paint, which was not her favorite material but now is. In addition, her favorite series she has completed is called “Tears,” which was done with colored pencils on wood.
“The idea behind creating these women crying was from what my mom would tell me, ‘people who cry are not to express this message of emotion in a body of [my] work.”
According to Uchida, she has been more focused on getting her artwork in various galleries than entering competitions, but this does not go to discredit her for her previous and current awards. In addition to her NAHS selection, she reflected on many previous awards that she has won
between middle school and high school.
“I’ve won the I Heart Manhattan Beach [award] in middle school,” Uchida said. “I won a design award for a candle freshman year that is on the MCHS website. and I have won a Water is Life award in middle school. I have also participated and won two second-place awards in [the] ‘Reflections’ art contests.”
According to Uchida, her friends, family and art community all inspire her when it comes to her art. Her hope in creating art is to craft pieces that inspire and influence others as much as they inspire her.
“I am currently exploring myself through my art, growth as a person, and emotion,” Uchida said. “Each piece has its own meaning and representation. I have been surrounded by an inspiring community of wonderful artists.”
Uchida sells her works including stickers for $1 to $2 depending on the quality of the material, and her 6×6 portraits range from $60 to $100. Her process for pricing her pieces is taking a bit above minimum wage, around $12 to $16 per hour, and this obviously varies depending on the
quality of varying materials/sizing.
“My commissions are usually from friends or family,” Uchida said. “Sometimes, people who have seen it at galleries such as the Resin Art Gallery in Hawthorne, Hawthorne Art Complex reach out with interest.”
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