Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”

Cal High AP Art students are trying to do just that. The course, which is offered for sophomores, juniors, and seniors, allows students to create their own 15-piece portfolios to submit in May for the College Board Advanced Placement Exam.

These portfolios are a combination of different pieces that fit under students’ self-chosen themes.

“My [theme] is exploring curiosity,” senior Ramya Kaja said.

Before taking AP Art as a senior, Kaja took Art I and Art II. She explained that she decided to enroll in AP Art to explore new kinds of art and improve her skills.

Kaja’s favorite piece that she’s created for her portfolio depicts a girl staring from Earth into space.

“I’ve always been curious if there’s life on other planets,” Kaja explained about the idea behind this piece.

Another senior taking AP Art this year is Bella Tom, who is actually in her first art class at Cal. Tom has been taking lessons at an art studio for a year and a half but said AP Art has given an opportunity to see her peers’ art come together under their themes.

Tom’s chosen theme was growing up, inspired by her own childhood.

“I like to think about my childhood a lot because it was a big part of me,” Tom explained. 

Tom said her favorite piece is a pastel drawing of her grandma.  After taking this one class, Tom plans to continue art into college and major in design.

Karina Spunde is an AP Art student but decided not to submit a portfolio this year.  Spunde previously took Arts I-III and also practices outside of school.

“Doing it outside [of school] for fun allowed just for more creative ideas and freedom,” Spunde said.

Although Spunde is not submitting a portfolio this year, they are still working on pieces in class.

“I’d say my favorite piece I’ve created within AP Art would be one of my more recent pieces,” Spunde said. “It’s more of a Renaissance type of painting style and it was just me having fun with lighting and really enjoying what AP Art has to offer. Just having fun with art and not really having any limitations.” 

Spunde said that although the course is very fast paced (one new piece is due every two weeks), it’s very rewarding to see classmates’ pieces and themes come together, as well as seeing everyone’s style develop and change.

Senior Mina Do joined AP Art as her first art class at Cal because she wanted to improve her skills and find her own style. She has been doing art her whole life and said that she is inspired by both her family and other artists. 

Do’s theme for her portfolio is comedy and its history.

“I’m really into comedy shows and movies,” Do said. “I wanted to do a theme about that since I’m interested in it.”

Do said that sticking to her theme can be difficult, but her favorite piece for her portfolio is one that she entitled “Homesickness”, which is a play on words because the painting depicts a house that is actually sick.

Her favorite part about AP Art is seeing her own art evolve and grow throughout the year.

“AP Art gives you the opportunity to try all different kinds of art and experiment,” Kaja said.