Isabella Juarez-Padilla - OI Awardee - Reflections

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Reflections Artist Spotlight: Isabella Juarez-Padilla

Isabella Juarez-Padilla is a visual artist from Corona del Mar High School PTA in California.

Her painting “Unapologetically Imperfect” invites us to embrace the beauty in our differences and treat one another with respect so that we can all bloom into the best versions of ourselves.

Artwork

Artist Bio

Artist Interview

"Unapologetically Imperfect"

Artist Statement:

"I was born autistic. Like a pearl, I started my life with a little grain of sand that needed nacre to shine. People like me are often exposed to bullying or abuse. I was and my spirit got broken. Treat us with love and respect and you'll be compensated with the bloom of an orchid. Today, I still use "masking" to try to fit in society, but my mask is broken and, like Kintsugi, it's getting repaired with the gold of time so people can find my beauty by embracing my imperfections."

Artist Biography

My name is Isabella Juarez-Padilla, also known as Bella. I’m a 16 year old girl, I was born in Newport Beach, CA.

I'm a sophomore at Corona Del Mar MS/HS. and a self-taught artist.

I showed interest in art since I was a baby, but I started to paint at the age of 3. It was at this age when I was diagnosed with Autism.

At 5, I participated at The Very Special Arts (VSA-Now Orange County Arts and Disability) It was the 1st time my artwork was displayed publicly.

At 6, in 2014, my first 2 paintings were donated to a canadian organization to help rebuild a destroyed dog shelter in Baja California, Mex. after Hurricane Odile.

In March 2016, at 7, I was officially recognized as an artist by the State Organization of Arts and Disability. In April of the same year, I participated again at the VSA representing my school: Victoria Elementary.

At 8, in January 29-30 2017 I participated on my 1st International Competition by NAILPRO, at the ISSE Long Beach Convention. It was my 1st time being published in a magazine too.

At 9 I participated again at the 42nd Annual VSA Festival on April, 2018.

At 10, in May 2019, I was invited by the Centre pour l’UNESCO Louis François, in Troyes, France, to participate at the Graines d'artistes du Monde Entier. That year they received 2419 artworks from artists from 65 countries. I received a diploma for my nomination and a Certificat D’Honneur International Award. My winning artwork is now a permanent part of the Unique in the World “Memories of the Future” Art Library, that preserves more than 96,500 artistic creations made by children and young people, aged 3 to 25, from 150 countries.

At 11 I participated in my 1st Reflections art contest “Look Within”. I won an Award of Excellence in my district.

Then, in 2020, the COVID-19 lockdown happened. During this period I kept practicing my drawing skills. I draw and colored more than 1500 Anime characters.

In 2021 I was promoted to Middle School. At 12 I started to show withdrawal symptoms. It was the darkest period of my life affecting me and my family completely. A person in a position of power abused me emotionally and psychologically and I almost gave up on life trying to escape the abuse. I was diagnosed with clinical depression, severe anxiety and PTSD.

On 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th grades I supported my PTA program by donating 8 of my paintings to be auctioned or published during the Annual CDM Home Tour.

In March 2022 one of my artworks appeared on the CDM Home Tour Magazine cover.

In 2023/2024 I participated in the Reflections art contest "I'm hopeful because...". My art entry won The California State Outstanding Award and the National Award of Excellence.

In 2024/2025 I participated in the Reflections art contest "Accepting Imperfection". My artwork won The California State Outstanding Award and the National Outstanding Award.

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Artist Spotlight

Meet the Artist

Artist Interview

Isabella shares more about her life, inspirations and the advice she has for other student artists.

Tell Us More About Yourself

"I like my culture so much! Since I was very little I always dress up as La Catrina to celebrate “The Day of the Dead”. I always help my mom design my custom-made Catrina dresses.

I also like designing my Halloween costumes. I don't like to buy them but I enjoy the hand-made process. I have a big collection of one of a kind costume made pieces. My favorites are my Mictecacihuatl costume and my Skull Kid costume inspired by the Majora's Mask r/The Legend Of Zelda game.

I care so much about nature and animals in need. I used to make paintings for local shelter dogs to help motivate people to adopt them. To this day I still support a dog shelter from Florida state. I'm also a volunteer at a cat shelter where I had the opportunity to meet my adopted cat Blue. A 1 year old female kitten.

I used to collect rocks when I was little. Now I collect Rainbow High dolls, I have 114!

At school my favorite subject is Math! Math makes my brain feel so much energy and happiness. Sometimes it's not easy to understand, but my teachers know that I am a visual learner so I have to focus on connecting the whole process. Once I understand the math pattern my brain explodes with so much joy. Is not easy to explain! It's like being able to add color to the music or flavors to the colors!"

What Advice Do You Have for Other Artists

"I like to be creative since I can remember. The first mediums I experimented with were watercolors and acrylic paintings. I like to explore all kinds of textures and known techniques to do art. I also like to experiment with unconventional products like coffee, tea bags, salt, sand, ocean water or soap bubbles. My favorites are Swarovski stones and gold leaf.

When you are very young it is very important to have support from your parents, tutors, teachers, social workers, etc. It is very important to get involved with people that share the same interests as you if you want to grow, artistically, faster. But, my best advice is to take it easy and, instead, give yourself the chance to observe all the details of your surroundings. Observe nature, for example, and find a place of solitude and close your eyes: feel the soft breeze, listen to the smooth sound of the tree leaves or the crack of the branches, the chirps of the birds. Feel the grass or the soil and even the local temperature. Then, open your eyes and observe the different shades of colors, the combination of lights and shadows and how your mood can affect your perspective.

Do not procrastinate. What I have learned is to take advantage of all the free time I have to do my own research about any art contest theme I would like to enter. It is important to feel and understand the subject

Life itself is art. And my life motto “every piece of my art is a story to tell” has helped me to express myself through my art even better. You can get inspired by symbolisms that represent your perspective of life.

I also like to read a lot and listen to music. These activities can touch your emotions and can help you to find a strong motivation to create and connect your hands, your voice, your mind… with your soul. At the end, every piece of your art becomes a part of yourself. A very deep part of your identity."

Why Students Should Participate in Reflections

"The PTA Reflections program it's a very powerful platform that offers us the opportunity to express ourselves. I think art it's one of the best ways to communicate with the world. It's my way to advocate for the most vulnerable part of society. It's my way to tell my stories and my dreams.

As a girl with autism, art it's the best way to share my emotions, my imagination and to tell the world that I exist. I can paint my own experiences and help the audience to discover a different view with an autistic perspective.

My best advice would be to keep participating in Reflections. Keep practicing your art, keep experimenting and refuse to give up. Avoid working with cliches and surround yourself with people that give you the strength to keep trying.

The Reflections program inspired me to keep trying and, maybe next time I can participate in photography or on a film production too."

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