Painting the way

Above: SUPPORTING ATHENS: iliad Literary-Art Magazine Outreach Director Jay Braswell contributes to a collaborative piece sponsored by Hannah Betzel at the Athens Rock Lobsters opening night game on Dec. 13, 2024 at the Akins Ford Arena. Braswell employed techniques they learned through their period of burnout. “Before this period, I was a very creative person. However, whenever I began middle school, things escalated for me work-wise.” Braswell said. ”I had lost my passion for art. Art was always my safe space, but a sudden step towards my future cost me to lose my passion.” Photo courtesy of Carla Braswell

iliad Literary-Art Magazine Outreach Director Jay Braswell discusses their journey as a young artist joining the iliad.

As a child, I loved creating art. From the moment I knew how to hold a crayon, my dad, John Braswell, taught me how to draw. I loved it so much that I would draw on anything I could find.

While I was attending  Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School, I faced one of the worst periods of my life: I had lost my passion for art. Art was always my safe space, but a sudden step towards my future cost me to lose my passion. 

Before this period, I was a very creative person. However, whenever I began middle school, things escalated for me work-wise. I was homeschooled in fifth grade due to COVID-19, thus, the jump was harder for me than many other students who had stayed in public or private school during that period. I spent my time trying to adapt to my significantly harder classes, so I had very little time to practice my hobby.

Above: LIFELONG ARTISTRY: iliad Literary-Art Magazine Outreach Director Jay Braswell attends the Confluence III: Clarke County High School Student Pop-Up Exhibition at Athica on March 20 and Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience at Pratt-Pullman Yard on July 28, 2021. Braswell had the opportunity to display their original piece, “Jimi Hendrix Portrait,” at Athica, which they made during their freshman year at CCHS. “As a child, I loved creating art. From the moment I knew how to hold a crayon, my dad, John Braswell, taught me how to draw. I loved it so much that I would draw on anything I could find.” Braswell said. Photos courtesy of Carla Braswell

I enrolled in BHL art teacher Samantha George’s Visual Arts class, hoping it would bring back the spark I desired, but it made things worse. Art being classwork made what was once a hobby begin to feel more like a chore. I only did what was assigned to me, and the rest of my time was spent catching up in other classes that were pushing me academically. 

Nonetheless, I persisted to get back my drive to create. In eighth grade, I gave George’s art class another try, and I’m forever glad that I did. George recognized my desire to create art, so she introduced me to the iliad Literary-Art Magazine.

After researching, I took a risk that would open many doors for me. I submitted my class artwork to the iliad, and that submission ended up being featured in Prometheus. Entering freshman year, I used that recognition to branch out in a new way, so I applied to the iliad Editorial Board as the Outreach Director. 

Now, my goal is to help young artists and writers keep their creative passion, and I am achieving that goal through the iliad.

Story by Jay Braswell

Jay Braswell is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and is the Outreach Director for the iliad Literary-Art Magazine. Braswell hopes that their contribution to the iliad will help inspire young artists around the Athens community. When they aren’t hanging out with friends, Braswell enjoys listening to music and painting.