Mediums of art include, but are not limited to, drawing, painting, ceramics, and costume design. It takes skill to gain a deep understanding for one of these crafts; MJ Bailey, 12, manages to excel in all. 

Several different projects stick out to Bailey in terms of talent and also emotional connection. 

“The projects that I am able to have the most artistic freedom are my favorite. The Grinch was a big, fun project because I never tried anything of the level of realism before and being able to do that without it looking like garbage was amazing. Things like my Alice and Wonderland tea set that I made last year were just so fun.”

Making art a little different, a little weird, is a reason why Bailey loves to create.

“My favorite part of art is being able to take things and make them entirely different from what they probably should be. If the people mildly dislike what you make, make them hate it. I don’t hold back on the account of other people.” 

Though all art forms hold a special place in their heart, costume design is their overall favorite. Ever since they were a child, sewing and fashion provide meaning to Bailey. 

“When I figured out that the theater department had costumes I thought it was amazing. I love costumes! It’s so fun being able to put things together and set the atmosphere of a production through costume,” Bailey said. “I’ve realized through the process of figuring out what needs to be fixed or made better in the theater department for costuming, that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.” 

Bailey further shared why costuming and fashion mean so much to them. 

“With art pieces I feel that I can make the art piece, and can be really happy with it and win awards for it. It can look really great on the wall or the shelf, and that’s great. But then it just sits there and you can’t use it. That’s why I love costuming.” 

Art isn’t just a hobby for Bailey. They want to pursue costuming as a career, and beyond that art has helped them through difficult times. 

“Art is probably the most important thing in my life. When I’ve gone through really hard things or lost people who were important to me, art was always there,” Bailey said. “It’s an outlet to be the voice, anger, sadness, joy. To take something in your mind and be able to share it with other people, it provides peace for the soul in a way not a lot of other things can.”