Art From the Soul: Reflections from Pearl Horng '06

by Angelia Liang for Silver Quest

This focus on process holds a sharp contrast with her earlier experiences in school. In the Magnet, she felt constant pressure to perform. “I was so stressed out all of high school … I felt like my life depended on every test,” she says. She describes herself as a middle-of-the-pack student who struggled with that pressure, even though she ultimately graduated with strong grades.

That environment taught her to associate success with outcomes. In many ways, that mindset carried into medicine, where results can have serious consequences. “You are judged a lot based on the outcome,” she says, referring to patient care in the emergency room. However, painting allowed her to adopt a completely different perspective.

In art, failure is necessary. Horng describes spending entire days painting without producing a single successful piece. “I could paint for eight hours… and all my paintings could just be horrible,” she says. Yet those experiences still matter because they lead to improvement. 

This realization came much later in her life. “It wasn’t until my late twenties that I learned that it was important to let yourself fail,” she says, noting that failures can actually fuel growth. Looking back, she believes this is something students are rarely taught early on.

Despite the challenges, Horng credits the Magnet with developing her resilience. “The biggest thing I learned … was how to work hard,” she says. “Even if I am not as ‘smart’ as my peers, I [would] fight so hard.”

That discipline made the transition to college easier than she expected. Compared to the intensity of the Magnet, college felt more manageable. Horng explains that Magnet students often develop strong study habits and internal motivation, which gives them an advantage.

At the same time, she believes the program can unintentionally limit students by narrowing their focus. She characterizes it as “stifling” for students with interests outside of STEM. Looking back, she wishes she had taken even one art class or spent more time on activities she enjoyed. “I would have just taken a drawing class … it wouldn’t have made or broken my life,” she says.

Horng also briefly reflects on other parts of the Magnet experience, including the senior research project. While she recognizes its value for students interested in research, she believes it is not equally meaningful for everyone. She recalled focusing more on producing a strong final product than on exploring a genuine interest in her topic. In hindsight, Horng says that she would have chosen a project based on curiosity rather than perceived prestige.

Her advice for current students is grounded in that perspective. Similar to how she encourages choosing interesting classes, she hopes that students will explore opportunities that align with their interests rather than external expectations. “Do something that you’re actually interested in,” she advises, noting the importance of finding supportive mentors and environments where learning is encouraged.

Beyond academics, Horng highlights qualities that she believes matter more over time. “It’s important to be teachable [and] open to learning,” she says. “It’s [also] important to be kind to people … it goes a long way in your career.”

Her career in emergency medicine reflects her personality and priorities. Horng chose the specialty in part because it offers variety and requires quick thinking. She also values the flexibility it provides. Working a few intense days each week allows her to dedicate time to painting, which she sees as central to her identity.

Although medicine is an important part of her life, she does not define herself by it. “My identity … is not going to be doctoring,” she said. Instead, she sees art as her long-term purpose. “That is actually who I am,” she explains. “I paint from my soul.”