Art is not just a form of expression; for many, including myself, it is a way of life. But who is Britney Tolby? Is she just another Mexican American? An artist? A strange woman with dual citizenship who is still learning about the American part of her heritage? She’s known as an enthusiastic and curious person, always eager to learn new things, and a nature lover. She is, or rather, I am, all of those things and more. My first degree was in Bioengineering in Aquaculture at UABCS in Mexico. I plan to complete my bachelor’s in my second degree in Drawing and Painting with an Illustration emphasis at Laguna College of Art and Design in California. Now, in my mid-20s, I’m slowly finding ways to merge all these things, both in my professional and personal life. Spending my childhood in a fishing village of 500 inhabitants, where electricity is only provided for 6 hours a day, in Baja California Sur, Mexico, nature and drawing were my primary companions. The wilderness of my surroundings was both my playground and my learning lab. I always felt a unique freedom in drawing and expressing ideas on a blank sheet of paper, a canvas full of possibilities, without thinking about the outcome and enjoying the harmonious process of creating. There were no art classes in the community where I lived. I would draw with pens I found around the house and discover art through my own intuition and resources. Those early moments were the cornerstone of what my drawing and art style is today, primarily developing cross-hatching techniques with ink. Through the devastating impact of my older sister’s death, I also learned the healing aspects of art. Sketchbook journaling was something I did with my sister growing up and, when she died, I returned to that place to process my grief. When art is our companion during times of loss, we can transform vulnerability into strength. Consequently, I have a passion to provide that opportunity to others. After graduating with my first degree, I still had the desire to study art, to learn and interact with expert instructors in this field, to share experiences and feedback with peers, and to receive a proper education in this discipline. Therefore, I decided to take the plunge into a second degree and explore the other half of my heritage by going to the United States. I have faced severe challenges along the way, both cultural and economic, but I remain steadfast in my goal, ensuring that these thorns and stones along my path do not become obstacles that interrupt my creative dream. Even though technology will continue to evolve in the coming decades, and many of these resources are designed to assist us, nothing can replace the human spirit and the strength that lies within the things we create. While various tools may help us refine our skills and simplify processes that once seemed difficult to complete, every piece of art still carries the essence of the soul of its creator. Reflecting on my own experience with art and grief, I blend these two elements to heal and share my journey through my artwork, reaching out to those who may be going through similar situations. One of the greatest qualities of being a human artist is the ability to share, this can be either in a tangible form, through knowledge, or on a spiritual level. There is nothing more valuable than giving a piece of your existence to someone else, allowing them to use it for their own growth and benefit. I want to cultivate respect for nature, tell funny and wholesome stories through comics that feel like a warm hug to the heart, and create empathy through my illustrations. As always, the possibilities are limitless with art, and that’s what I love most about it. Among the many projects swirling in the sea of my thoughts, all revolve around storytelling in various forms. I want to create books with my own writing and artwork, such as comics about simple yet comforting life moments and sharing my experiences of how art helped me to face challenging moments in my life and unleashed my creative potential. I would also like to be a book designer/illustrator / infographic creator, particularly to be able to teach the science of marine organisms in a way that would create change in an engaging way. I want to enhance knowledge of our environment through art and facilitate stronger connections to the world around us, thus building a better future through art and understanding.

Growing up without formal exposure to art and discovering its healing power inspires me to create more opportunities, particularly for those in rural communities and others lacking access. Seeing the joy, the self-confidence, and the healing power of art when I taught nature illustration workshops in a marine national park in small communities, has further strengthened my resolve to help others find the outlet that I’ve found in art. My hometown is a fishing village of 500 inhabitants, in Baja California Sur, Mexico, where electricity is only provided for 6 hours a day; nature and drawing were my primary companions. The wilderness of my surroundings was both my playground and my learning lab. As there were no art classes in my community, I started to draw with pens I found around the house, and, through these haphazard resources, I found a unique freedom in expressing ideas on a blank sheet of paper full of possibilities. My curiosity to learn more about Mother Nature and to convey this through my art grew within me, and it is why I chose my first bachelor's degree in Aquacultural Bioengineering. As I gained insight about how natural resources have been exploited, I started recognizing how art could help people learn complex scientific processes, appreciate, and recognize the importance of preserving their ecosystems. Additionally, my sister’s death taught me the healing aspects of art and how that is essential to growth. Sketchbook journaling was something I did with my sister growing up and, when she died, I returned to that place to process my grief. When art is our companion during times of loss, we can transform vulnerability into strength. My passion is to provide that opportunity to others. My desire to study art became even stronger during this time, as I wanted to learn to improve my artistic technique in order to fulfill this vision. So, I gathered the courage to trust my intuition and am now pursuing a bachelor's degree in “Drawing and Painting with an Illustration emphasis” at Laguna College of Art and Design. The positive impact I want to create in the world is to inspire and create opportunities for those with limited access to art, especially in rural communities. I believe that everyone can tap into their creativity and refute self-limiting beliefs, by understanding the world around us and within us.