Image: Painting by Link Ayala
For many, art becomes more than just a hobby, but a means of healing, storytelling and very often a way to share their feelings. This article will be exploring the work of two local artists, WHS senior Link Ayala, a painter, and WHS senior Heather Sousa, a photographer and filmmaker. They both serve as an inspiration for others to take up various art forms, and to explore their creative potential.
Link Ayala: Painter and Storyteller
Link’s passion for painting started with a specific style of art. “What inspired me to start painting was Vocaloid,” Link said, referring to a Japanese music software. “I really liked an artist named Yukio, whose abstract art had a lot of swirls and dark colors. I wanted to recreate that style with my own spin.”
Link’s favorite medium is oil painting. “I like oil paint because I can layer lighter colors first and then build up to darker ones,” she says. “I can also make it look like the painting is coming off the canvas. And if I mess up, I can always go back and fix it easily.”
Her creative process usually begins when inspiration strikes late at night. “I’ll just grab a canvas and start painting while listening to music. I think of little stories or characters in my head,” she says. Many of her paintings are inspired by the ocean—fish, jellyfish, and other sea creatures. “Painting makes me feel calm. It’s a way to spend my time instead of just scrolling on my phone,” she says.
Most of Link’s paintings usually revolve around and focus on her character’s eyes. She explains how eyes express feelings more meaningfully than other features. “I don’t always draw mouths. I focus on the eyes instead because they can express emotions that words can’t. Eyes can say so much more than the mouth,” she says.
Link has a very bright future with art ahead of her, and some of her plans include submitting a new painting to the Winter Art Exhibition. “It’s my biggest piece yet, but I’m not sure if I’ll finish in time because oil paint takes a while to dry,” she says. But whether she finishes or not, her dedication in art and storytelling is clear.
Heather Sousa: Photographer and Filmmaker
Not all art is painting, however. Heather found her preferred medium in photography, beginning with an interest in photographing abandoned places. “I’ve always been drawn to abandoned spaces,” she says. “There’s something mysterious and beautiful about them. I like to think about how they used to look and find the beauty in them now.”
But for Heather, photography isn’t just about taking pictures. It’s also a way to express her emotions. She’s currently working on a new film project inspired by Roy Blair’s album Chasing Moving Trains. “I’ve been a fan of Roy Blair for years, and his new album meant a lot to me. When I heard it, I could see a whole story in my head, and I wanted to show how the music made me feel without saying anything,” she states.
Heather also finds that photography helps her express feelings that she can’t really put into words. For her, the camera allows her to communicate on a deeper level without relying on language. “I’ve always had trouble expressing my emotions, but photography makes it easier,” she says. “I don’t have to say anything—I can show how I feel through the photos I take.” Filmmaking is another creative outlet for Heather: “It’s a way to capture raw emotion. I want people to understand what I’m feeling just by looking at the videos and the colors, without me needing to explain it,” she says.
Balancing school with photography isn’t always easy, but Heather makes it happen. “It’s definitely hard to keep up with everything, but art is my way of escaping the stress of school. I just have to make time for it, even if it’s just working on smaller projects between classes,” she says.
The effect of Art at WHS
For the WHS student body, Link and Heather’s art is a reminder that anyone can express themselves creatively. All it takes is some dedication and commitment. No matter the medium that someone prefers, art allows students to reflect on their emotions and share them with others.
As the Winter Art Exhibit is right around the corner, hopefully both Heather and Link will showcase their beautiful photography and paintings for the WHS community. Art is an important part of student life at WHS. It helps students bond with each other, express their feelings, and share stories in a way that words can’t. You can see more of Heather’s and Link’s creations on their instagram! Heather’s handle: @1ndiecam. Link’s handle: @immos.in. Make sure you give them a follow to stay updated on their latest projects, and don’t miss out on the magic they’re constantly sharing.
Lukas Lyssand is a junior at Washington High School. He was born and raised in Redwood city for 5 years and moved to Fremont in 2013. This is Lukas’ first year on the paper. He’s interested in writing about music, nature and sports. His favorite hobbies are skateboarding, playing the drums and guitar, exploring nature and listening to music. His future plans are to graduate highschool and go to a good college, but he doesn’t know what he wants to major in just yet.