During our agency tours spanning the week we were in the city, we often would have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of each tour. Understanding how the job role worked, what the work culture was like, even asking how many of the professionals made the transition to New York City. However, on Wednesday when we attended a tour, instead of asking the questions, we had a question directed at us…“What is your why?”. This seems like such a simple question, we are all majoring in Advertising or a Communications degree, surely it is because we like the industry, or creating, or working with people. Yet it meant so much more than that. It was not why we are wanting to work in the Advertising industry, but rather why we feel in our core that this is what we are meant to do. It may seem daunting and intense, but is that not what we should each want for ourselves? To be doing something that feels as easy as breathing, that makes us excited to get up in the morning, that brings a smile to your face. Yes it may be advertising, but I remember every reason “why” I have gotten to this point.
Growing up, my mom would always say that I was drawing as soon as I learned how to hold a crayon. My days were often filled with sketches consuming loose sheets of paper, watercolors dripping onto my princess dress up costumes, and acrylic paint smeared across my fingers. For as long as I can remember, art has existed at the very center of my universe. Art is of course the paintings hung up in galleries, the sculptures you are taught about, and the chapels that took decades to construct. Yet art is also the simplest of things, it is the imaginative doodling of a student in their notebook, it is the photograph that encapsulated a memory, it is the film that plays on a screen as the viewer is overcome with emotions. Art is a direct expression of emotions, an embodiment of creativity and inspirations. It can be seen all around us, from the most prestigious of paintings, to even the sunset painting the evening sky. Over the course of my 21 years, art has become a part of me. It is how I calm myself, how I fill my time, and express my mind. As I have grown my passion and love for art has grown with me.
I have learned to embody the lifestyle of art. To see things within my life as artwork. Like the smiles of my nieces, the beauty of laughter shared with my friends, and the natural work of nature outside my bedroom window. Art is everywhere, and the pieces of my life all inspire me to create artwork in a way that is a direct tether of myself. Throughout the years I have begun to share my art, watching it bring smiles to others faces and feel joy that my creation is also a direct imaging of how they also felt. Art is connection, it is joy, it is truly seeing someone and that is why it has no true definition, no clear boundaries.
As I found myself searching for a career, I knew that I wanted creativity to be a part of it. It has become like second nature to me, almost as vital as breathing. So when I ask myself, “why?”, the answer will always and forever be to inspire. Through everything I do, everything I create…I want to inspire others. Over the past few years I have liked to use the term “create joy”, when referring to my artwork and creations. My success will never be measured by a title, or money, or fame but rather the joy that I bring to myself and all of those around me. If I can create something and bring a smile to someone’s face in turn…what could be more successful than that?
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