Isabella Marie Lewis
“Bella”
15 years old
ER: Where were you born? Where did you grow up? Where do you call home?
IL: I was born in Coral Springs and calls this home.
ER: Where are your parents/grandparents from? How did they influence you today? (big question)
IL: My entire family comes from Nicaragua. My Mom immigrated from Puerto Cabezas. My parents grew up poor and worked hard to immigrate to the US, get a great education and a good job. My family is the classic successful immigrant story. I was raised by my mother.
ER: What is your heritage (ethnicity)?
IL: Nicaraguan and American.
ER: Why do you live here? How did you get here?
IL: I don’t have a choice!!!!
ER: Do you speak another language?
IL: I study French in school.
ER: What is your favorite color?
IL: Maroon.
ER: Do you have pets?
IL: I have two cockatiel birds. My old favorite, Polykleitos, died recently. I now have two birds, Birdie (4 ever bird) and Bert.
ER: What is your passion? What are you doing when you are most happy?
IL: I love to make art. I am the most happy when I am in an environment with others doing something creative. I take classes at FAT village in Ft. Lauderdale and love to sing in the St. Mary Magdalene Choir. I love music, especially classical.
ER: What is your profession? Is this the profession you were meant to do?
IL: I am a student and an artist. I have always loved to draw and paint and intend to make it my life’s work.
ER: What do you do that might change the world? why?
IL: I strive to perfect my artwork. It reflects what is going on in my mind. The rhythms and sequences of classical music influence my sketches.
ER: What makes you feel like part of a community? Why?
IL: I connect with the Church youth group as my community. It is a safe spot to discuss life honestly. I don’t identify with school the same way. School is full of cliques and groups.
ER: What is the most interesting thing you have ever done?
IL: I anticipate a lot of interesting things in my future. I spent last summer in Turin, Italy where I fell in love with Italian food, culture and art. I hope to go to art school in Italy in the future.
ER: What are your regrets?
IL: Not working hard enough on my artwork. Not starting earlier on my art projects.
ER: What are your struggles?
IL: I am always struggling to be satisfied with my artwork. I am constantly trying to improve my paintings and drawings.
ER: What are your greatest adventures?
IL: I know I have a lot more to go! One of the most memorable adventures was my journey to Washington D.C. for the March for our Lives rally in March, 2018. I lost my friend, Carmen Shentrup, in the MSD murders. I looked up to my friend who was president of the youth group.
The rally was a powerful experience. The gathering in the National Cathedral was particularly memorable.
Artist’s note: I have watched Isabella grow from a child to a beautiful young adult as she sits next to me at the 10:30 service at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church.
Painted
March 28, 2019
April 3, 2019
