Welcome to our Gators Eye artist feature! Each week, we highlight a different student artist and their unique and beautiful work. This time, we’re shining the spotlight on Jaya Nadella.

Jaya is a ninth-grade student at Green Level. Although she was born in Georgia, she grew up in NC. She’s incredibly active in visual and performing arts around campus. “In school, I am a part of NAHS (National Art Honors Society), NHSDA (National Honor Society for Dance Arts), and the GLHS literary magazine. I am also on the Colorguard!” Even outside of school, Jaya plays piano and does Bollywood dance competitively. Her love for the arts is strong and genuine. 

Jaya only recently began thinking of herself as an artist. She’s always loved the creativity, but only recently has she felt connected to it–and that’s thanks to the community here at Green Level. “For a lot of my life, I have always admired the works of my peers. However, I hadn’t really considered myself an artist up until this year, where I came to GLHS and began to draw more…” She says, “…[The Green Level art community] has been so inviting this far and I’m excited for more high school memories!”

Although Jaya doesn’t have a favorite medium, she tends to gravitate towards colored pencils. She’s gained an incredible understanding of color and tone in that media. Her use of vibrant hues in her art is unique and captivating, and she’s also got an impressive understanding of anatomy–any artist understands the struggle of drawing hands that well! Despite not thinking of herself as an artist until this year, Jaya’s clearly been showing off her creativity in incredible ways.

If Jaya could give one piece of advice to other students, it would be to put yourself out there. She says that whether someone’s a visual or performative artist, they deserve to have their skills recognized. “If you have any self-doubt or fear of judgment, always remember that you never know unless you try,” she says. It’s good advice–if you never try, you’ll never reach your full potential or see the possibilities of the future. She closes off with a few more wise words. “At the end of the day, if you are proud of your accomplishments, you are the true winner.”

Thank you to Jaya Nadella for her interview! If you would like to recommend yourself or a student for our artist spotlight, please email [email protected].

Gallery • 2 Photos

Jaya shows off her skills with a vibrant colored pencil drawing of hands.