# 63 Jaya - One Hundred Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers

                                                                             "Jaya"

(What do you think teens are really concerned about) "Teenagers are mostly concerned with school, and the fact that you need to have good grades but still try and keep up with your social life.  To have an equal balance of the two is kind of hard to maintain." (Advice for other teens) "Just be the real you.  Don't change who you are just to fit in, because if they don't accept the real you then they are not people you should be around."


Jaya's mom came in with her, the parents often do, and stayed through most of the painting session.  At the end, when she saw the paintings of her daughter, she became very emotional and cried.  I felt honored to have a chance to paint such a beautiful girl, and I'm not sure my painting does her justice, but if the portrait moved her mother like that, I know I have been successful. Sometimes perfectionism gets in my way, and I don't enjoy what I am doing as much as I should, and at times like this I am reminded of what is really important.