When did you participate in the Shooting Stars program?
I participated in the Shooting Stars program in 2016.

How did you use your Shooting Stars experience or scholarship?
I put my Shooting Stars scholarship towards tuition at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).

What type of fine/performing/visual art were you passionate about then and do you still pursue that art today?
I participated in the 2D visual art category. I worked mostly in oil paint and had started to explore digital painting.

I was always interested in the process of creating video games and animation and was torn between focusing on a painting or game design major. After a semester in game design I switched my major to illustration, marrying my two interests to create digital 2D paintings of characters and concept art, work which is used in the beginning stages of game design and animation to visualize key moments, design characters and environments, and create finalized art that would be used in-game such as cover art and icons. I am also interested in creating comics and am pursuing a minor in Sequential Arts.

What has been happening in your life since you participated in the Shooting Stars program?
Since participating in the Shooting Stars program I have designed a mural which was recently finished in Baltimore’s Darley Park neighborhood. I had the opportunity to create illustrations for advertisements in Kansas City, as well as been commissioned for portrait work. I also had a few solo shows in Kansas City, and had work featured in two of MICA’s painting exhibitions. I am currently applying to summer internships in the game and animation industries and will graduate with a BFA in Illustration in 2020.

How has the Shooting Stars program helped you to become a better artist?
With the money from the Shooting Stars program I was able to attend MICA. I always knew I wanted to be an artist, and started researching art colleges before I had even entered high school. MICA is one of the best colleges in the country for illustration and being able to attend my first-choice school has given me an education that has greatly enhanced my work. I am working with professors from all over the world, with direct experience in my chosen field and insightful criticism that has strengthened my portfolio. I love being in an environment constantly surrounded by art, and am so grateful to the Shooting Stars program that I am able to attend.

Lastly, how do you like Baltimore?
I love it here in Baltimore! The city has so much history, and I really enjoy walking around the harbor. I really enjoyed the American Visionary Museum as well, it’s so unique and colorful! I’m also an hour train ride from DC and a 3 hour bus ride to New York City, so I’ve gotten to experience so many amazing cities as well!