Artist’s Statement

When Sara Rieth, Executive Director of OHuddle, approached me about the mural project, she referenced a piece I had previously created with my daughter Ellis, who was 8 years old at the time. This piece features a simple pencil portrait I drew of Ellis, divided down the middle, with one side filled with colors and patterns by Ellis herself. The result was a beautiful collaboration merging my technical artistic skill with Ellis's free-spirited, undiluted expression. This visual symbolism powerfully reminds us of the innate creativity within everyone. Both the approach and symbolism resonated with Sara's vision for the mural as a way to honor and celebrate the unique creative spark that OHuddle strives to ignite and nurture in each mentee.

I created the mural using the same approach as the original inspiration piece. I drew three portraits of current and former OHuddle students, divided each one in half, and created sections within one side of each portrait. Current OHuddle students then collaborated by filling these sections with colors and patterns using traditional art materials on paper. These creations were scanned and incorporated into the mural's design to create the finished piece.

Like the original inspiration piece, this mural conveys the unique creative depth within each of us. We often judge by appearances and rely only on what's immediately visible. We bring our own judgments and experiences to our interactions, and at first glance, we see only a child's external shell. Yet inside each child, creativity is alive, waiting to be nurtured and expressed.

I firmly believe everyone is creative. Not everyone may feel artistic, but that's just one expression of creativity. To me, creativity encompasses self-expression, self-efficacy, problem-solving, perspective, exploration, and curiosity. Embracing creativity enables people to navigate and build their futures with confidence, transforming problems and challenges into opportunities. Creativity is the most crucial skill to cultivate as we move forward. All children possess the capacity for creativity, which means they have everything they need to create meaningful and fulfilling lives if that creative spirit is recognized and nurtured.

Crystal Madrilejos
Artist and Co-Owner of Wild Daughters