With over 21 thousand followers and 1.3 million likes, Junior Sela Almendras has made her mark on the trending social media app TikTok. It all started in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

          “When quarantine started, I had enough time to do the art that I wanted to and I thought it would be fun to make TikToks of the process.” Almendras said. “I didn’t expect it to blow up and went into it with low expectations.”

          She started off her videos with portrait drawings of her friends. From there, the account quickly gained attention and on April 4, she received her first commission from one of her followers. 

          “I was really excited since my friends and family kept pushing me to sell my art work, but I didn’t think anyone would want to buy it,” Almendras said.

          On average, Almendras receives about 25 requests per day and makes anywhere from $40 to $250 per piece. It is no easy job, however, as a single drawing can take up to 15 hours. She says her fanbase on TikTok helps her stay motivated. 

          “Art is something that I’ve done since I was little for fun. I‘ve always been pretty good at it, but I didn’t start taking it seriously until junior year,” Almendras said.

          She is enrolled in the DP art program at Huron and is considering pursuing art as a career. In the meantime, she plans to continue making commissions and sharing her art on TikTok.