What’s your drug of choice?

Grace Edwards’ is music.

The 21-year-old has played drums for nearly half her life. She “fiddles around” with the piano, is teaching herself to play the guitar, and DJs at various events.

She also works at Hott 107.5 — in production, she’s not actually spinning tunes.

Her “obsession” with music was what played on her mind as she created a series of charcoal drawings.

Those works are now on exhibit at the Bermuda College art gallery under the title, What is Your Drug?

The drawings illustrate various forms of addiction. In one, a woman snorts white keys on a piano.

“It came to mind when I happened to realise how much I needed music to concentrate and feel at ease or calm,” Ms Edwards said. “Music can put you in a mellow mood, which is how people can feel when they take drugs.

“Music is my type of drug. At first it was just a thought, but then I realised how much people can become addicted to what they love.

“So by transforming drugs into an instrument, I tried to portray that no matter what instrument I play it will become part of my addiction.”

Ms Edwards is a student at the Bermuda College. She hopes to graduate in May with an associates degree in art and design.

What is Your Drug? is her second solo exhibit.

Her first was based on her experience as a gay teenager in middle school. She called it My Brick Walls.

“That show was basically about how I felt growing up as a young teen coming out as an openly gay person, to now,” she said. “There was a lot going on.

“When I came out I was 16 and it was a bit overwhelming being a teenager at that time. When you’re in high school it’s supposed to be the time of your life; you’re supposed to enjoy growing up.

“I got a lot of hate. Everybody gossiped about me. With that said, [it helped me with my] painting and art show.”

She used brick walls to depict that journey.

“I realised I was shutting everybody out and keeping myself in to feel some sort of comfort and protection. I wouldn’t let anybody get too close.”

She started wearing shades as a result. “I wear them all the time because they’re my brick walls,” Ms Edwards explained.

“With this show, what I wanted to show was that the things you love can also be an addiction. I did it in charcoal not only to show my strength in a different medium but because it gave an eerie feeling, a weird kind of high.

“I wanted the audience to feel awkward. I wanted it to be very effective.”

Ms Edwards hopes to one day become an art teacher. She said she was inspired by a series of great ones.

She started drumming lessons under Eddie Ming, at age 12. She studied art under Cristina Capelo, Michael Walsh and Edwin Smith.

“All three of them inspired me step by step,” she said. “Cristina Capelo was my high school teacher and the reason why I’m in the field today; Michael Walsh and Edwin Smith are the reason why I wanted to become a teacher.

“They helped me broaden my perspective on art and seeing what’s in front of you. Everyone’s perspective is different but being able to witness it is even better.”

Her exhibit ends on Friday.