Last summer, Olsen attended the Residential Governor's School for arts, an extremely selective program that chooses the top artists in Virginia. Olsen seems to have a natural talent, but she insists that her childhood artwork was hardly different from anyone else's. Well, there really isn't one. Natural talent isn't worth much if you don't develop it. Most amused themselves by doodling and later took art classes in middle or high school to refine their skills.
Teens have different reasons for sticking with art.
Eric Gosse, an eighth-grader at King George Middle School, has a more obvious reason. While everyone had their own reason for pursuing art, Bri Bevan, a senior at Stafford High, summarized the majority of viewpoints. I like the freedom of art and the different dimensions of meaning in it. Bevan has taken art classes throughout high school and is taking Advanced Placement Studio Art in her senior year. She says that art has helped her learn to let go of inhibitions.