This work was created from inspiration brought on by El Sistema and the role it has
played in kids’ lives. I created this work first by sketching with a pen in my notebook. After I was
satisfied, I digitized the sketch and created line art from it. Then everything else was done
digitally, colored and the background as well. This plays into the idea of transformation, taking a
boring notebook sketch and turning it into a colorful digital piece.
As for the physical meaning of this work, the saturation of the kids and the music notes
that comes from them is meant to symbolize the importance and power El Sistema/music plays
in their daily life. In a period of time where things seemed scary and uncertain, music was a ray
of hope for these children and allowed them a creative space to express themselves in a society
which was struggling. I made the decision to have all of the kids close their eyes, not as a sign
of ignorance to the bleakness around them but rather as a sign of extreme focus on their
instruments as they fill the world with their own color. They are meant to contrast a dark world
with their brightness, and the art style is very childish and inspired by the Peanuts, which is
intentionally supposed to make the drawing a reflection of children’s innocence.
In relation to the lessons learned in this class, this drawing touches on the power of
music in the lives of civilians in an oppressive regime, but I fine tuned it more from a child’s
perspective. The work El Sistema does was highlighted in our class as an outlet for creative
expression, a common theme in class. It provides children a musical education, sense of
community, and distraction from the confusion and fear the government may put on them and
their families. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, children’s creativity and minds
will be a lasting form of positivity and future generations are the ones who can pave the way for
a better future.

Juliet Olson, First-Year Marketing Student