mixed media
20×16″ 
“My peace is about freedom of religion. This means that everyone can live according to the rules, requirements, and practices of their own religious traditions. For my part, I mostly talk about religious freedom, meaning that everyone has the right to choose their religion and practice their faith without interference. So I thought I would do a portrait of my family. This means that having adults in our lives who provide us with the security we need and the freedom we want is what helps us become competent and confident adults. When you limit children’s freedom, you compromise not only the development of their skills, but also their self-confidence. I use cross hatching on the hair, watercolor, markers, etc. I also draw several brightly colored flowers to represent immortality and the power of freedom to prove my skills.”
ARTIST BIO: Charmante TOLENGA is a grade 11 student at Butler Tech School of Art studying art under art teacher Mary Catherine Ruby.