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In a world where individuals are unworthy, crime runs rampant in the — No. Wait. Wrong storyline. Ha, had you for a second right? This isn’t a story just about me — It’s about us and how being a “nerd” can change our entire lives.
More: Forming A Fandom Community With Discord
Hi guys I’m Samantha, most just call me Sammi though. Bear with me because I’m not very good with words or talking about myself. But I wanted to share with you my love of all things art and nerd-related, to better help people who maybe were like me or see their passions as something to be hidden.
Gotta Catch Em All!
My specific form of ”nerd” falls under art and anime. Anime is something I’ve loved since I was a child. I remember vividly experiencing Pokemon for the first time when I was maybe around five. It was all downhill from there.
Everything from video games, to clothing, to even the music I like can be linked to my love of Pokemon, something I still love to this day, more than 20 years later! It’s even better now that I can share this with my child, who loves these things just as much as I did at his age. His favorite character is Eevee, a great choice in my opinion!
The Nerdy Inspiration
Aside from a mild obsession with that fantasy monster you catch and fight to gain money and glory, anime helped spark my passion for drawing. Everyone has a specific work of art that inspired them to push forward and hone their craft, I am no different.
But instead of people like da Vinci, Michelangelo, or the wondrous Bob Ross, I had people like Naoko Takeuchi, creator of Sailor Moon, Tite Kubo, creator of Bleach and Burn the Witch, or the famous Hayao Miyazaki founder of Studio Ghibli and creator of works such as Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro and, Princess Mononoke. I can thank those brilliant and beautiful works and creators for shaping and really helping me discover my love and passion for drawing.
The Truth About Being an Artist — It’s TOUGH
I now share my art with millions of people online, however popular or unpopular it may be. I would like to believe that I am … a freaking prodigy, I recreated Starry Night at the age of six, the Mona Lisa at seven, and then topped it all off with a perfect self-portrait at eight. But that’s definitely not what happened, I just like joking around.
I had to work hard at my art and push through my low points. Unlike some who have the ability to be able to take lessons and attend schools specifically designed for the arts, all I had was a pencil, paper, a bunch of manga, and how-to guides. I’m proud of the fact I’m 100% self-taught, which makes me appreciate my creations that much more.
You and Me Against The World
Art, like any skill, is learned, so the more you keep at it, the better you become. I’ll show you guys my humble beginnings at a later date … trust me it’s rough. But you have to start somewhere. From stick figures or mandalas. To little doodles in the margins of your school papers or shapes that make up the most imaginative buildings. Art grows with you and much like my favorite icons and even myself, anyone can do it with dedication and persistence. So, if this is your passion like it is mine, don’t give up.
I’ll leave you guys with my favorite quote – one that helped me in different aspects of life.
“In this world, perfection is an illusion. Regardless of all those who utter the contrary, this is all the reality. Obviously mediocre fools will forever lust for perfection and seek it out. However, what meaning is there in perfection? None. Not a bit..After perfection there exist nothing higher. Not even room for creation which means there is no room for wisdom and talent either.”
Kurotsuchi Mayuri (Bleach 306, Tite Kubo)
Can you believe that came from a manga about a teenage boy who fights spirits with SWORDS!?
Wild, am I right? Perfection is unachievable, it doesn’t exist, so all I want to get across to you all is what you do, no matter what it is, doesn’t have to be perfect, you just have to be proud of it. Unless it’s world domination, please do not try that.
Jokes aside thank you all for coming along and helping this community grow, this is going to be much more fun the more people we have with us.
Till next time nerds.
