The Art of Painting and Mentoring

By Christina L., Current AALEAD Youth
Photos Courtesy of Tina Ngo, AALEAD Staff

A couple of weeks ago, I had the wonderful chance to go to the Asian American LEAD (AALEAD) DC Office on the Metro and do therapeutic painting with my mentor and other mentee/mentor pairs. We had pizza, which was SO good, and other snacks.

Painting was a lot of fun and very relaxing for me considering all the testing that I had going on. We sat in a comfortable silence, and I decided to paint something related to my identity. I did a blend of colors on a rainbow. It represented all of my different shades of personality such as sass, humor, friendship, charisma, loyalty, charm, etc. My mentor and I did paintings for each other where we picked our own quotes for each other’s paintings and gave it to one another. In the future, when we do this again, I would like to personally choose a quote that I think represents my mentor well and give that to her as a gift.

Having a mentor has been really great so far. My mentor, Ha, is really helpful, and she really understands me. We talk all the time, and we have so much in common! Since she is older and also went to the same high school as I do, it helps that she understands and knows about what I have learned. I can share everything that’s going on at school with Ha, and she helps me focus on my studies. We also watch a lot of the same TV shows and are into the same hobbies, such as movies and music. Since I’ve gotten to know her, I’ve really benefited from everything she has taught me, and I’m excited to participate in more activities with her this year.

Overall, we had a successful afternoon that helped me to calm and ready myself for my exams and breathe. I had a great time and am even buying my own painting supplies so that I can paint on my own. I can’t wait for the next art event!