“I definitely use art as an escape. If I’m focused enough, it’s just me and my art when I’m working on a project. It’s so easy to get lost in what I’m doing. If I’m ever stressed or overwhelmed, doodling or making a little sketch can take my mind off of whatever is bothering me pretty quickly. At times though, art can be the root of my stress. I am very much a perfectionistic, and I like to take my time to make sure every detail is perfect. Especially with projects for art classes with deadlines, that perfectionism is what makes me rush some of my work. It’s all worth it though. All of that had helped me accept that mistakes in art are okay and all part of the process. I want to do for other people what the artists I look up to have done for me. That motivation I get from discovering new artists is something I hope I can give people who are hoping to become artists too. Art has helped me become the person I am today. If that is something I can help give someone else, then my paintings and drawings have become more than just paintings and drawings: they have helped make the world a better place. It’s a little basic, but I love Van Gogh. His art is beautiful, but what I love most about him is his pure love for painting. People ridiculed him for his art, but he kept painting. Other than Van Gogh, there are so many artists that inspire me. If I had to pick one other though, I would have to choose the team that worked on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Every frame of that movie has personality and style that I can only wish I’ll be able to incorporate into my art someday.”