Artist Since 16

Prepared by Leilani's Peer Support, in support of her requested desire for help in raising awareness about being an artist making art in pretty strange places.

Interrupted, Not Erased: Michelle Cotrina’s Artistic Path

Leilani was recognized by her art teachers as having the potential to become the next Pablo Picasso. She began receiving awards for her artwork in junior high school and was awarded a small scholarship when she enrolled at Otis Art Institute.

Michelle Cotrina was attending college art classes while still in high school. She later transferred to Otis College of Art and Design, where she studied sculpture, printmaking, and contemporary art. She did not withdraw due to failure — she stepped away to give birth to one of her sons. Her transcript reflects life’s complexity, not incapacity.

🎨 ABOVE: First Day Back – A Life Drawing Reawakening

Michelle returned to art class after more than 20 years away — a powerful act of healing and self-reclamation. In these videos, she expresses a heartfelt desire to return to college “not today, but someday.”

• 🖌️ First Oil Painting Class Back at Blue Rooster (YouTube)

• 🎨 Life Drawing at Los Feliz (YouTube)

Sketches from her first day back are included below.

🧾 Academic Transcripts

• 📄 Otis College of Art and Design Transcript (includes SBCC transfer units)

• 📄 University of Denver Transcript

• (A missing year from Otis/Parsons was lost during the school’s merger with Parsons and could not be retrieved.)