What does it mean to be the "other", the outsider of a group? We've all experienced thatmoment when it was as if the whole world was turned against you. At the start of my freshmanyear, I decided to join the Art Club at my high school. The prospect of being included in a groupof fellow art-lovers seemed exciting. Before the first Art Club meeting, I was slightlyapprehensive about joining the club because none of my friends wanted to join. Being afreshman in high school is already a frightening experience. Still, I tried to remain optimistic andhoped that I would make new friends. At the first meeting, introductions and other formalitieswere conducted. The art teacher, who was also the Art Club advisor, asked us to bring in a fewsamples of artwork to the next meeting. I felt quite confident that my work would be adequate toshow others. Little did I know, most everyone in the club were either currently taking art class inschool or had received lessons elsewhere. I, myself had not received any formal training in artbefore. Everyone else's art pieces possessed a more refined style, while mine was a blandcomposition.On top of everything else, the Art Club members all seemed to be friends with each other.This made it difficult to befriend others. I felt like an outcast amongst the throng of fellow artists.This group of artists that I longed to be a part of was comfortable with each other, leaving noroom for me or my particular style of art. Even the Art Club advisor viewed my art with slightdisdain. This experience left me feeling like I was on the "outside", however, ultimately I gainedthe confidence to improve and learn to love my own art style.Similar to the artist in the article, "Brutal Edges and Tender Surfaces: An ExhibitionArousing Gender-based Interpretations" by K. B. Basseches, I took the criticism and turned theminto my strength, thus improving motivating me as an artist. K.B Basseches was criticized forher unusual depiction of the partly nude male form. Her unconventional perspective singled herout, placing her on the "outside", much like how my style of art did not conform with the rest ofthe members in the Art Club.