Axel
I still remember the day a simple suggestion began to pave the way to my dreams, aspirations, and goals.
I was five years old at the time, and like my classmates, I was the typical kid who went to school, enjoyed his hobbies, and fulfilled his school obligations.
My parents, Renato and Alexandra, who always saw potential in me, enrolled me in a private institute that specialized in identifying talented students. I, on the other hand, thought it was just a school like any other, so I had no idea of the effort they both made to pay for my tuition.
Of course, my parents saw paying for my education as a long-term investment, not because they considered me a source of income in the future, but because they wanted me to have the opportunity to work in something I was passionate about, unlike them.
As I said, I had no idea about it, but it was thanks to my parent's decision, and my teacher in fifth grade, that I discovered the potential of a talent that, in my innocence, I considered one of my many hobbies.
"Hey, Axel, tell me something... Wouldn't you like to participate in an art contest?" my teacher asked one morning.
She was carrying a brown folder whose thickness told me that it contained many documents, or so I thought.
"Look at this, your work is beautiful and detailed, and I would say advanced for a child your age... I think you could win a contest if you participate," said the teacher, as she showed me all the drawings I had made.
" I want to win!" I remember exclaiming, with the characteristic innocence of a child.
"I'm glad to hear that... Then I'll talk to the principal about registering you for a school competition," said the teacher, who stroked my hair before leaving me.
That's how I won the first contest with a remarkable voting advantage, as well as the next ten contests, which generated a positive reputation for the school and my family.
This recognition led me to discover, through the influence of people who appreciated my talent, a colorful and happy world, but also a dark and sad one; or rather, a vast universe of colors and expressions that changed my life.
The art world took hold of my heart when I began to explore it, and there was nothing that could stop me from pursuing what became my first goal: to be the best children's artist in Rio Grande, my hometown.
Becoming the best wasn't easy, but I was able to achieve it before starting high school, which was the prestigious Rio Grande Private School, which, thanks to the achievements attained through my talent, awarded me a scholarship.
I was aware that my parents couldn't afford the tuition at that school, and it distressed them that they couldn't do so, so I didn't let the opportunity to study there pass me by with the scholarship they awarded me, which I took full advantage of in the academic and artistic fields.
It was a time when my inspiration merged with my ambition, so it wasn't hard for me to establish myself as an outstanding student who ranked among the best in the entire school.
Furthermore, I continued winning art competitions at a more advanced level, thanks to the intensive classes I received from a teacher specializing in oil painting, expressionism and impressionism.
I also received tutoring from a fifth-year student who mastered charcoal drawing techniques, so my knowledge expanded to such an extent that I began to be considered a prodigy.
This, as expected, aroused feelings of envy among those who, faced with their ineptitude, became frustrated to the point of wanting to harass me, although I was never one to be intimidated, even when that meant that they would beat me up.
The first beating I ever received also created a turning point in my behavior, as I went from being a peaceful boy to a temperamental one, and the ways I took revenge on those who tried to bully me were not very subtle.
That first problem I faced as a student almost made me lose my scholarship, but fortunately, Dad intervened on my behalf and took responsibility for my actions, covering the medical expenses required to care for my bullies.
In addition to that, Dad punished me for attacking from behind, with a large aluminum bat, that group of boys who, although they gave me a beating driven by envy, did not deserve to suffer to the point of being badly injured.
Dad argued that it was cowardly to attack treacherously, so he enrolled me in a martial arts academy that instilled in me the rule of always facing an adversary head-on.
I was also taught a number of moral disciplines that enabled me to control my temper, as well as ultimately make use of my abilities.
The period of time that encompassed the ages of thirteen and fourteen was productive for me, as not only did I continue to improve my artistic skills, but I also learned a set of martial arts with which I was able to win a number of regional championships.
In fact, my coaches argued that I could consider pursuing a professional career as a mixed martial artist, but my goal was always clear; I wanted to be the best painter in the country.
To aspire to be the best painter in the country, he had to overcome an obstacle that required advanced knowledge of art, not only practical, but theoretical.
Therefore, upon completing my studies in high school, I enrolled in the Faculty of Art at the University of Rio Grande, as it was the only means that allowed me to aspire to a scholarship from the National Institute of Fine Arts, which, in short, was the last obstacle to overcome as a student.
For that, I prepared myself for a year in the theoretical aspect of art, which allowed me to better understand what I needed to complement my talent.
In fact, it was thanks to my first year as a university student that I managed to pass the annual test of the National Institute of Fine Arts, where I obtained the coveted scholarship that allowed me to pursue my artistic ambitions.
***
Miranda
Dad always said that my hands were made to create beautiful works of art, but I just took his words as a kind of motivation and paternal affection.
From a young age, I developed an incredible talent for sculpting objects and replicas of works I saw in books. All I needed was a reference of what I wanted to replicate, and in a matter of minutes, or even hours, I would end up exceeding my parents' expectations.
Plasticine was the first material that introduced me to the world of sculpture, and I was able to mold it to such a level of detail that I could sculpt a miniature version of Mom, who, because of her incredible beauty, was always a great source of inspiration.
"Daughter, do you really like doing this kind of thing?" Mom asked one morning as she showed me her collection of clay sculptures, which demonstrated my progress over a period of two years.
By the time Mom posed that question, I was eight years old, and at that time, I was not aware of how much I enjoyed that activity.
"I like it," I replied, excitedly.
"That's good to know, because I took the liberty of enrolling you in an art academy," Mom revealed.
" Really, Mom?" I asked, impressed.
"Of course, honey... I was talking to your dad, and we came to the conclusion that you have an incredible gift for art. So we think it's a good idea for you to develop your talent to the point of becoming a professional if you want," Mom replied.
—Ana Sofía, love of my life, have you seen my watch? —Dad suddenly intervened.
"No, honey, did you check your nightstand drawer?" Mom replied.
Ana Sofía and Roman, my parents, sometimes seemed to be best friends because of the way they treated each other regularly, although when they showed affection, they crossed the line into a romance that became cloying.
"You were right, it was on the nightstand," Dad said when he came back. "Huh? What are you talking about without me?"
"I'm telling Ana Miranda that we enrolled her in an art academy," Mom replied.
"Ah, yes, that's right... My daughter, from now on, your talent will not stop developing until you are at the level of the great sculptors of the world," said Dad, with determination and pride.
"Don't exaggerate, Roman, and don't place high expectations on her either... Let's let Ana Miranda enjoy art and decide for herself if she wants to make a living from it," replied Mom, as always proving to be the realistic voice of the family.
In short, it was thanks to my parents that my little world expanded with the introduction of art, where in addition to developing skills I didn't know I had, I was able to express my own essence in works that impressed my tutors.
As for my school life, I tried to separate it, as much as possible, from the artistic aspirations I set for myself, so I enjoyed a youth that I consider normal.
My university years, on the other hand, did mark a change in my lifestyle and personality, since, as a member of the Faculty of Arts of the prestigious Catholic University of Crystal Port, my hometown, I left behind the reserved behavior that characterized me in school and began to demonstrate what I always considered to be my true self.
The university, in conjunction with the art academy, helped me find a version of myself that could exceed the expectations of those in charge of my training.
It was a time when I cut my hair and changed my taste in fashion, which, although they were superficial actions, allowed me to complement the extroverted and eccentric personality that characterized me as an aspiring artist.
In fact, my impact as a sculptor was so great that, unexpectedly, I was awarded a scholarship by the National Institute of Fine Arts, which I accepted on a whim and for the opportunity to visit Esperanza city.
Esperanza city was not only the capital of the country, but also the renowned cradle of national artistic culture, so much so that it attracted internationally recognized art critics, ambassadors of famous museums and even wealthy collectors who organized million-dollar auctions.
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Hello! It's a pleasure to greet you… My name is Araguaney.
I am a Venezuelan writer who has dared to broaden his horizons in writing, so I have taken the risk of translating my works for a non-Hispanic audience.
With this story, I begin my new adventure as a writer, in which I hope you can support me through comments, contributing opinions and, of course, sharing the story with those who also love reading.
Since I am not bilingual, I will be in the position of having to rely on digital translators, so I cannot guarantee a perfect translation, but I still hope that the essence of the story will be conveyed.
That said, I sincerely hope you will help me go further, and I also hope you really like my work.
Thank you in advance, and see you in the next episode.