Living in a world where that same drive for art is being threatened to be replaced by artificial intelligence rather than reaching for potential creativity has discouraged many. Many artists show disappointment in their eyes when watching big companies promote their products with lifeless creative generators. Faster lifeless quantities overlooking the creative qualities, have been the main focus in the art field. The issue is a growing concern that overwhelms art-field students in many countries in reaching for future careers and projects. As an animation major I also carry the overwhelming doubts about the future ahead, if there still is any. There are many against the use of AI, and reading about AI Luna’s story, it's more of a reason why one should fight for the creative fields. Deemed as ‘unprofessional” and “phases of careers”, art is something the world could not live without. As Albert Einstein once quoted, “Creativity is more important than knowledge”. AI has damaged the environmentenough to the point one must fight the creative right back, which is my drive to keep pursuing my creative path. I focus on the aspect of illustration, growing up consuming many fantasy genres, “How To Train Your Dragon”, “Harry Potter”, “Fantastic Beasts”; along with reading many fantasy books has made me a fanatic in the creature world. Building worlds outside of reality has always been an escape for me since I can recall the beginning of my middle school years. Drawing in my free time to escape the real world into a world I can build on my own is something I have always encouraged and shared with my family. In the case of being clled “creative” and “weird” at the same time has mixed up my emotins if art is something I should pursue as a serious career. Nevertheless, what humans consume on a daily basis- music, movies, books, rt pieces- are all produced by the creative mind. I am a “weird creative,” I usually tell people, and I am proud of it. I draw the dragons that own the skies inorder to fill the empty voids when driving around, visualizing their immense presence that would be in this world. Sketching intricate details onto a page with passion, creating tales beyond reality that remind me daily how art mke sone feel alive. Without peculiar minds, there would be no creative worlds. Especially now, artificial intelleegnce does not have the potential of being peculiar enough to carry a unique creative drive. It defines “insincere” within its very own name. Thus, I still pursue art as a career, as a real future, in the rebellious case, through the threat rising against the arts. Daring to still make art in this world is rebellious enough to inspire others: fantastic beasts and fantasy worlds, multiple universes, and superheroes. That is something made by the creative hand. I want to challenge people and inspire younger generations that being creative and having a unique imagination is not a flaw; it is a gift. To create another world through a singular mind to be shared by stories and books shows that beauty in the arts is still alive in this world. It generates the mind's emotion to think beyond the impossible into the possible. Imagine a dragon flying above the skies, a hero in one’s city saving the day anonymously for the dangers of the world. Peculiar events caused by magic in anotherworld,l far beyond our own. Imagination is endless, impossible at that, but made possible by the hand. It just must be saved before its extinction.

As an artist of the 21st century, where technology began to expand its capabilities beyond expectations in rapid forms, I have always leaned towards the traditional form of creating by hand rather than digital. I have worked in the traditional medium since I took my first art classes, while practicing on the side since secondary school. Traditional has captivated me more with the literal hands-on approach when creating than with digital. There is something uniquely intimate about traditional art: the charcoal smudged within the fingertips, the rough texture beneath the artist’s hand, and the lingering scent of oil paint and gamsol. It is an experience that only traditional artists can fully appreciate. Even though digital media has proven to show faster results and is widely used within the modern animation industries, the practice of traditional projects captivates the hearts of the viewers in a way that digital media is not capable of comparing. Stop-motion films and 2-D animation carry something beautiful since their productions. As for context, I am a college student pursuing a major in Animation and Illustration in the College of Fine Arts at the University of Arizona. I acknowledge the fact that digital art is a style of art that will open the door to opportunities for a career I am trying to pursue after graduating, and I am not a close-minded person when it comes to working with that style. Nevertheless, it is not the art form that identifies with me. I am an artist who focuses on the little details, not only within my artwork, but also within life around me. The small moments that make up for the memorable memories are equally, if not more, valuable than the quality of them. These ideals are carried out as well within my work. When visiting pieces within local art museums, many glance for a few moments at a large piece and continue along. Those who understand the details, the messages, and hidden “secrets” placed within the work of the artist are those who appreciate the beautiful moments in life that many overlook. To me, life is simple, enjoyable, yet many overcomplicate it when we only get one, which is why my preferred form involves ink works. Ink is simplistic, and while many think it’ll dull the piece due to the lack of bright pigmentations. They overlook the potential in the smaller details. The structures and forms one can create with ink can establish pieces that make the viewer question the capabilities of such a simplistic form of art that has been practiced since the Egyptian and Chinese civilizations around 2500 BCE. Dilution, stippling, or bold strokes of black ink, colored if optional as a choice now in the current day, all forge a piece that can convey life even with just its achromatic colors. Simplistic can be beautiful as well. It empowers the eye and the mind to create colors on their own, to create their own narrative of a piece and its setting. Granting the viewer to create their own story, equivalent to living every day. Everyone carries their own story in their own form of medium. The way one illustrates it can depend on how one perceives it. Ink is my personal story, simple, yet the small details are what make it beautiful.

“Who Made This?” is generally the first question viewers ask when admiring a piece. It ignites curiosity about the unknown knowledge to find the creator of such work. Was it a rich painter trained by the experienced masters? Perhaps a women who’s name has been scratched from history was blanked out by the gender bias of society's social norms of the past. A black artist speaking their voice through the culture, representing the influence of society, or a Japanese artist doodling for passion and entertainment. A flower is celebrated by thanking the bee without ever asking its species; yet too often, art is judged not by its beauty, but by the color and gender of the hand that created it. Art is the candle through the dark moments of human tragedy. Great works emerge from a canvas, a blank page captures the tension between an artist’s fear, ambition, and imagination. The irony is funny when one thinks about it, but it is what makes the artist feel alive. Personally, enjoying creating and designing worlds outside of what society knows, such as the fantasy or futuristic ideals of advanced societies from Star Wars, creatures as fantastic as those from Harry Potter and the Avatar franchise, though not predicting futures, the possibilities of imagination are endless. The aspiration to these traits, even during my current education as a third-year college student, centered on Animation and Illustration, is something outside the norms of a traditional Latin family. In addition to being part of a minority, living as a female Latina pursuing art is not fully supported equally, as is the daughter who follows in her parents' professional medical or engineering paths. Nevertheless, the influential voice that carried me through the hardships of society has been the wise words of Japanese artist Hayao Miyazaki. His ideals towards creating man-made films and works despite the rise of technological advancement remind us how humane art carries the uniqueness of its creation in the word human. His works and films, all created by hand, teach valuable lessons and morals through the stories he creates. Creating personal projects and working within the creative industries is something I focus on innovating through my portfolio to aspire to becoming a professional concept designer in expressing my own worlds into reality by working and training under professional designers in creative industries and production teams. I believe all artists have a unique spark in them that makes them who they are; mine is in the creation of fantastical beasts. Carried through the innocence of dragons and elves, the possibilities of creating creatures mysterious beyond our world raise one question in the logic behind reality and possibilities. Even if the possibilities are not impossible, I want to emphasize that there should be no shame in creating silly creatures, as it teaches people that life should not be taken seriously, but enjoyed, and to think the impossible. As quoted from Tim Burton's Alice and Wonderland, "The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible." No matter the doubt in the rise of artificial intelligence or the persuasion in pursuing a “professional” career. If an artist followed the standards society enforces, there would be no artists in the world, just gray and identical, no diversity. Diversity in art is achieved through the diversity of its artists; if all were the same, no purpose would be served in life, and appreciation would be absent. No matter the brush, no matter the color, no matter the medium, no matter the person, we are all in the end one same thing, human.

Innocence is still present in the already-grown child, even if one doesn't admit it. This is what "Pure Light" shows in the depiction of the creature. The Ignitpadowl is how I named the creature within this piece. Consisting of a black sheet, color-pencil medium by the Prisma brand. The creations I make come from the innocent side of myself poured onto this piece. Even as a soon-to-be adult, I accept this innocence within myself which allows me to feel alive. The imagination of a child is powerful. It creates another world while living in the one today. Children escape reality through their creative minds to view the world so simple and beautiful with such ease that adults forget to appreciate and struggle to see. This is the inspiration for the artwork I made during my work in creature designs, assigned within my classroom in my AP curriculum. Using my passion for creature sketches and innovations, the piece centers around the image where adults sacrifice their inner child to succeed by society’s standards. To live, a gray-living person exists in a world rather than living in it. The piece shows the beauty in innocence one sees. How it stands out from a dark place and allows one to see the light within life. This is why many adult artists get the opportunity to escape a gray world and run into a “childish” one of color. Despite the warnings and taunts, the one being mocked lives, while the meddler exists. Life is shorter than one believes, and I would enjoy living it as a well-living artist who craves to paint the indescribable, to live in a stiff line waiting for time to run out. As a young artist, I become dull at hearing many losing their inner opportunities and being denied their ambitions by a societal standard of work everyone does. There is a lack of uniqueness now in today's world. Filled with copycats and imitations, the world lacks originality and creativity. The killer of the artist. This is why I view being persistent and stubborn to achieve a goal is rather the most beneficial way one can survive stereotypes and get trapped in a gray world. I come from a small gray community that lacks creativity and originality. This is the opposite of the career field I crave to succeed in being admitted to. I have envisioned myself out of my hometown towards art schools, far into the creative states that provide those opportunities. Currently, as a soon-to-be college freshman, I focus on being persistent and loyal to my goals in the art field. No matter people's opinions to the contrary, my artistic self will view the world by the following quote: “The creative adult is the child who survived".

The dream version of myself wakes up to live every moment of life grateful I kept standing to pursue what brings me life.

The hands are the origin of the creative touch, associated with its partner, the creative mind. Being spoken by the artistic voice. That has always been my view on the beauty of art made by humans every time I set myself on a chair with a paper, a pencil, or even a leaf that can stain its color on the page. Its limitless abilities connected with the hands and mind have so many possibilities it gives to those who challenge the position of being an artist in their life. , I accepted that challenge at a young age when I picked up the pencil and created what was not real. Present day and before, I have always created creations that went beyond my creativity. My creativity longs to create stories that aren’t real, to make them real. Thus I began with simple characters, developing my writing abilities to even make stories and backgrounds for them. I began, of course, with sketches of them and used the cheapest materials of colored pencils used as a child, like many. I would color and design these characters throughout the years, seeing their evolutions and development of their design along with my style throughout the time. In the meanwhile, at an older age I developed a more vast introduction to different mediums in art I was not aware about. Which awoke more sparks of the possibilities that could be made. Thus came experimenting with other mediums such as acrylic and watercolor. Along with the newest technological method of painting, digital art. Right now, as a current senior in my high school year, I am taking an advanced placement art class and working on a 15-piece project portfolio using the strong side of my creativity being mythological creatures. The reason is my unique ability, to create, design, and write down names and descriptions of these creatures inspired by the outside world. The origin of my passion for creature designing and story making has always been movies made by the creative minds of art and movie directors. From animated series and movie sequels such as BNA (by Yoh Yoshinari), Maleficent (produced by Disney) and the Fantastic Beasts series (directed by David Yates). I have always stated that the artist creates a form of magic that actors can hold when creating a movie that the viewer can admire. To me, to create stories, and make pictures into life for all to see something fictional become nonfiction brings light to my life. As a reason to live a fantasy within reality. To live and pursue a life in the arts is limitless, and never, as I imagine, could ever always be the same. It is vast and filled with different possibilities; it makes it worthwhile, especially for one who lives for art. I have seen many people, personally, desire to pursue their dream path, but of course, life does not fulfill those courses for all. It is how life is, but I wish for that course. I am determined to succeed in at least trying to reach that path I see and not let life's misfortunes take away the inner child of the artistic human. I wish to create fantastic stories that make memories, that leave marks and messages to people's childhoods and memories. Using my abilities of creative ideas that I wish to improve and pursue to study and experience within the animation field. I wish to pursue the magic of story writing, as the world is also made by stories. “Writing stories is a kind of magic, too” (Cornelia Funke).

Music has been a constant part of daily life when walking, breathing, crying and even sleeping. Music will always be a part of the beat of my own body that connects to the one of music. It accompanies someone anywhere they go. Either heard by the people, within a cafe or store, or through the pair of headphones that disconnect a person from reality to a comforting environment. It adds a form of spark at the start of a new day that strives for human motivation and provokes an experience that one feels throughout the day. It has shown that it can understand any mood, whether it be anger, happiness, or sadness, any emotion is valid in life, such as the different types of music. Personally, it has added a form of comforting friend that understands the emotions of others, coming in a vast quantity that can connect to oneself to that day, week, or even month and understand its current feelings. Music is adaptable to any situation or time of the year of a person, like how liquid is. Such as Christmas music plays throughout the time of December. Creating the lively spark of what makes a joyful holiday. Similar to the spark it gives to the horrific month of October. Creating a playful environmental setting that makes the fun part of life enjoyable, even during the scary season. Music molds life in many unique forms, being an infinite and vast form of art that can adapt to any situation given by its vast majority of genres. Not only can it easily adapt to any mood, but even a person’s mood. Due to music being such an open-minded form of personal expression, it connects to its audience in a way words can not. It comforts one wherever they go, and can even be made by the sound of the lips and hands tipping the nearest item. Music comes within the human body and exits out in a form of color that is added into the world which helps remind the viewer where they are living. It communicates by beats to listeners nearby to understand and feel, even when a song is wordless. It aids in the speechless expression and leans more towards the hearing-form of expression. In a way music pieces are all reminders that show the enjoyable and unfortunate moments within life one accepts to be part of. With a voice alongside that understands the emotions of a person, or a song describing the world better than what one believes, it brings a sense of a safe place within life that creates a place the listener desires to see. A place shaped by the lyrics of their song. Music personally creates my world, as it does for everyone else. This is why they say, “We may all be living in the same world, but at the same time, we are all living in different worlds”.

At the start of the newest generation, awareness of the high levels of stress and depression has gotten my attention why? Especially at such young ages within the Z Generation. Perhaps the rapid changes and evolution of life has advanced so much that the newest generations need to catch up with those perfections may perhaps be the answer why. However, today is the case to no longer wonder why it is happening, but the “what can we do?” questions. Adults play off mental illness as a phase, or a simple solution, and shrug it off as a problem for adults only. However, they do not see that mental illness is also within adolescents growing up and having problems of their own, and ignoring such problems with denial can worsen it. Thus such results can affect a child’s or person’s life if their mental health is unattended too, especially for a long time. Such as a broken bone, or a cold must be tended to, so should the brain. Which is one of the most vital organs of a living being. Ignorance and denial of problems within children can affect their overall health, social abilities, and academic performances. It drains a person from their vivaciousness by the unsolved problems they face alone. Especially for an adolescent growing up, or a struggling adult adjusting to society, it is important to acknowledge the rate of increasing anxiety and depression within a society that, if left unattended to, can lead to regretful results. Unfortunately, the rates have risen in children these days. It is important to acknowledge how dire the need to focus on this situation is. It is unpleasant, from personal experience, to spend dark moments alone without knowing what to do, nor how to defeat a beast or bother within oneself that one tries to pierce out of them to feel the peace within. However, one does not know how to frame such a stressful beast; it leads to having to solve it on their own. Creating a sense of loneliness and isolation in young people toward adults that also causes the lack of asking for aid. It is important to teach children and find methods to help people communicate about their issues in a way to break the silence. Personally, it was difficult, since my mental health took away much enjoyment from what brought me to peace, as it does to many. It drains one’s spark and color. However, what always stuck with me were the vocal words or comfort from music. Music is infinite and vast. It always has a way of connecting to a part of the brain that brings one back to the earth they were born in. It brings hope and relaxation through a sense of comfort in the words sung by a stranger. Personally, it is a letter that understands one’s emotions brings back color, and helps enlight sparks previously lost. Of course, there are many other methods I use today such as drawing, or playing music that tones my mood or overwhelming feelings. All people have their sense of comfort in dealing with such issues, and to see how many do it is enough proof that the brain is a part of the body, which also must be tended to. It is not a phase nor is only applicable to adults. It happens to all beings with emotions who experience the pros and cons of life. With no judgment, it must be understood instead, especially now as times are changing, so should the minds for the better.

Many see education as a requirement, a ticket to success. Many see it as a burden they must get over with to succeed. However in my eyes, education is something complex, and when taught properly, it is just like life lessons. You make mistakes and learn from them, such as a math equation. For me, education is something that should be enjoyable, from the moment you learn the ABCs to the point where you memorize an entire book, captivated by its plot and engaging characters, or the main message the reader is trying to tell their audience. Education to me, is life, when taught correctly. It is off to write something peculiar such as this, but in my honest opinion, it is true. Education is life, as many do not see it that way. They are lessons we learn from, however, "they" determine whether we can move on in life by a single letter, while in life it moves on whether you make a mistake or achievement. Many should see that way too, especially students, education is life, and they must move on with it, and not expect time to wait. Currently, in my life, I am determining what my education is. It is a normal feeling I have accepted since no one truly knows what their life goals are or who they will be. Life is funny ad unexpected that way. Personally, however, I want an education that motivates me to wake up every day with a passion and spark of curiosity we are given since we can talk. Since the moment we could ask the whys, the whats, and the hows. Other than my main goal to pursue my dream and goal of becoming an animator, in which many wonder why? It is due to my second goal, to enjoy life. As many know animation is not highly-paid and not recognized within the job industry. While others strive to be doctors and lawyers, it is funny I put so much work into school to do art as a life goal and career. To draw fictional pictures on a piece of paper for the rest of my life is quite funny. Despite it also being stressful to be consistent in only that, it makes me realize how much I care about it. It is because it is something that makes my life worth living, despite its cons. It is like my second goal. Living life to the fullest. It is always tied to the goals one wishes to achieve. How can one succeed in their goes if living to the fullest isn't motivational enough to do so? In the end, if one does succeed in reaching their goals after education, they wonder what is next. Is there an end or next chapter of their book? As stated previously, to me, education is life. As taught in my biology class, life is continuous, harmonious, and has no true end, that is how education is. Every day, one is learning, whether it be in life, at work, or at school. Even taking care of a pet you learn, or when making a new recipe. To be learning is to be living. There is a quote I have learned before stating, "To live is to learn and to learn is to live".