Creating my Own Future by Megan

Creating my Own Future by Megan - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

The slick gliding of a full paintbrush sliding over a canvas. The scritch-scratching of a pencil against paper, then a furious groan and desperate scrubbing of an eraser. The satisfying clunk of the spacebar being pressed to unpause an art tutorial. The scratching of the pencil resumes, and I hear a weird gurgling sound. My stomach! I snap back to reality and realize I have drawn and painted my way through dinner time. Careful not to step in any of the paints or supplies littering my floor I go to scrounge up something to eat.
I would look at older kids' art projects in elementary school and try to replicate them. As I grew up watching animated shows and YouTube videos I was floored by how skilled the artists were. I wanted to create stuff just like what they did! I would copy the characters from the shows and my imagination. Through the years I attempted to progress my art. Directly copying YouTube tutorials turned into being inspired by the artwork I saw others create. Stressing about mistakes turned into being able to go with the flow and roll with the blunders I made. Art festivals, classes, and content from artists on social media have and still inspire me to create the art I make today.
Over the years I realized I was not going to create art just like the art in the shows from my childhood. I am going to make art that is unique to me, with a style that is a combination of influences and imagination all mushed up and smoothed out. That was when I realized what I would want to do when I got to college, I wanted to do something in the arts.
“Starving artist” is too often associated with getting an art degree in college. Instead of letting that scare me away from going into the career I wanted, I shifted paths a tad. I had taken a wonderful digital design course and I loved it. I thought it would be perfect to take my love for art and make it into my career.
My chosen major is Digital Design. This will allow me access to the growing demand and job market for people with the skill set that this major provides. Digital Desing is a little twist on my original love of art but a twist that will still allow me to hold on to my passion and hone my skills.