She wasn’t looking to be part of a big crowd, but she embraced the small class sizes and the experience at Lamar D. Fain College of Fine Arts.

“For any degree that you’re pursuing, your classmates become like your family because you spend a lot of time with them,” Mize said. “Fain Fine Arts classmates and professors became like my second family and my second home.”

That environment suited Mize, allowing her to flourish as a student. She devoted most of her time to developing her artistic abilities rather than participating in extracurricular activities. That commitment led her to present art research at a national conference and earn a place on the President's Honor Roll before graduating in 2018 with a BFA concentration in studio painting and a minor in studio drawing.

Mize grew up creating art, but painting wasn’t a medium she pursued until she started college. She said she was better at 2D art forms, but decided to give painting a try through the classes offered at MSU Texas. She shared that it helped her discover a part of herself she didn’t know was there.

Mize has another project coming up in Burkburnett at the end of July. She said it will be the first one she’s done in her hometown, demonstrating another one of the full-circle accomplishments she’s finding as an artist. In the meantime, she’s hoping to create art for herself that examines how humans interact with nature. She said creating art without expectations or timelines is a therapeutic way to reset before a new paid project.

No matter what part-time job she held over the years to pay the bills, Mize has remained committed to her art. She believes success requires faith in yourself and a willingness to market yourself, even in the face of rejection.

 “Just because you have a part-time job or a stable income does not make you any less of an artist,” Mize said. “Most people assume either you’re a full-time artist and you're making it, or you’re working part-time and you’re struggling, and that’s just really NOT the case.”

Mize acknowledged that it’s not always easy to make it as an artist but believes that it’s worth the time and work for those who are passionate about it. She encourages aspiring artists to get involved, both inside and outside of the classroom by participating in events, organizations, and contests.

Perhaps most importantly, she said, learning to handle rejection and continue to move forward is a vital skill for artists.

“Just don’t give up. People need the arts now more than ever,” Mize said. “Art brings people together. It’s music; it’s the World Cup – that’s an art in itself – and it’s theatre. People find a way to each other when there’s art involved.”