The goal of my final creative project was to receive instruction in the area of the visual arts, create a body of work that would be displayed in an art gallery or other appropriate setting, and emerge publicly as an artist. This goal was important to me for two reasons. The first reason was that for many years I had suppressed my own need to create and express myself through art for various reasons: lack of instruction and fear of stepping out of the box and expressing myself creatively. My final creative project has led to an awakening of my ability to express myself through my artwork and make personal connections with my paintings. Focusing on the basic elements of art in my instruction and integrating this new knowledge into each of my paintings has produced a great deal of personal growth as an artist. The second reason this goal was important to me was that integrating the fine arts into the curriculum of the public schools has always been a priority. Teaching visual arts to the students in my regular education classroom was something I have strived for, yet I felt I lacked the skills needed to teach it well. This project resulted in the realization that I was an artist who could produce works of art pleasing to others and myself as well. In addition to addressing my lack of personal art and development as an artist, I also resolved the problem of having the skills and knowledge to bring quality art instruction into the classroom. While this creative project has been focused primarily on my own artistic development, my students will reap the benefits of my growth for years to come.