I love arts! I love painting and drawing since I was small. One of my biggest achievements was being the overall winner of the Celebrate the Sea art competition, and being named the Artist of the Sea 2011. It was my first time participating in an on-site painting competition, as well as my first time competing outside Hong Kong. I gained so much from this memorable experience!

This competition was organized by the Ocean Geographic Society, to help raise awareness of the conservation of Sharks, and protecting the ocean in general. The competition was separated in two rounds, the first was held in Hong Kong, and the second in Manado, Indonesia. I was chosen as one of the top 50 competitors in round one, and was invited to the Indonesia with the other finalists. When I knew I got the chance to attend the final round, I practiced by art skills many times using different techniques in order to choose the best way of painting and try to perfect it so I can do my best for the competition.

Finally, we were in Manado! It was exciting yet nerve wrecking! The competition required us to finish a painting in 3 hours. Before it started, we were given time to set up our own tools and materials, including tables and chairs, which were not provided. People are scattered all over the competition hall, some set up their small tables, some were placing their colour pencils in order, while their parents and teachers gave them their last minute tips and good lucks. I, like nobody else, had a chair to sit on; many students just sat on the floor with a very low table. Curious eyes were looking at me as they discovered I was the only one using soft pastels and black paper has my main materials. The competition started as the host announced the theme to be "Wonderful World, Wonderful Ocean". I immediately had an idea and started sketching on my black paper. As I began colouring my picture with pastels, more eyes were looking at me. The other parents were so curious about my tools and came to look and touch at them as they saw me applying colours with my fingers. The competition had become more and more intense, especially when the others were already adding their finishing touches in the second hour and I was still nowhere near finishing! Luckily, I finished just in time and it was such a surprise to be the overall winner and named the Artist of the Sea 2011.

It was a valuable experience. It was not just a competition, but a cross-cultural exchange. I made friends with people from all over the world as well shared our different artistic styles after the competition.