A Change of Canvas: How Brian Puga Learned to Love Art

Student artist, Brian Puga shows that you don’t have to have a born talent or immediate interest to love Art.

By: Madi Moya

Everybody has had a moment in their life when they have a subject or a job or some kind of something that doesn’t interest them.

Brian Puga, ’26, is living proof that if you don’t enjoy something at the start, it’s worth it to stick it out, if you do, you might just start to enjoy it.

Puga took his first art class as a junior, he didn’t enjoy it at the start but instead of dropping the class like most might, he chose to stay.

“[Art class] was uncomfortable. But after I was getting used to it, I got better and better at it.” Puga says.

Puga doesn’t just tolerate art, he really finds himself enjoying it now.

He says “I like painting and drawing pictures and everything. It gets you happier to draw whenever your having rough times.”

Puga is lucky to have someone by his side that supports him, “I have my sister” he says.

Elizabeth Puga is a great sister and she knows it, even when you tell her that she says, “Thank you. I mean, I get that a lot.”

Aside from his clumsiness and dirty room, Elizabeth admits some of Puga’s good qualities.

“He cares about his siblings a lot… he is nice if you get to know him.” she says

Elizabeth supports Puga, but rather than saying yes to things, she has to say no.

“I support him by telling him ‘no you cannot do this’ and, ‘take care of yourself’, now he has asthma…he’s just..he’s just something, he’s a handful.”

Steven Harris has been Puga’s art teacher for two years and has gotten to see Puga’s interest for art grow.

“Brian learned that he can do it. When he first came in, he didn’t think he can do anything. He would always be very self critical like ‘I just can’t do it ‘, and now Brian is ‘I can’, and he’s been able to be successful and I think now he knows he can do it, which is really cool.” Harris says.

Along with Puga’s open-minded attitude, he’s also loved for his kind personality.

“Brian’s like one of the nicest fellas around. he’ll give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, he’s very kind…[he stood out to be because] he’s overcome a lot… he’s always stayed very even keeled and thankful and grateful.” Harris says.

Through it all, Puga has stayed strong and encourages everyone else to, “Stay strong…continue what your doing and focus on that.”

Tags: art, Art class, artist, Brian puga, Elizabeth puga, Redwood, Steven harris, student artist