"over exaggeratedness feels like the highest form of self expression” @shaunnn_draws

Dear Diary, 

Hello! My name is Shaun. I am currently a junior college student! 

I first got into art when I was little, mostly stemming from being inspired by shows I would watch such as adventure time, chowder and courage the cowardly dog. I loved watching animated movies like Megamind and any Disney / Pixar movie I became obsessed with.

My main interests are 3d modelling / sculpting, digital art, and animation!

I've always felt that animation was the strongest form of self expression because characters are no longer just still illustrations. It's so cool to become absorbed in a world that someone made up. 

Seeing other people's work sparks my creativity whether it’s in games, shows, movies, illustrations, etc. Lately, a lot of my inspiration has been coming from games because I'd like to be a 3d character animator. It's very interesting to see how other people think of ideas and it’s super inspiring because it makes you think of stuff you’ve never thought was possible.

Credit: Shaun (Instagram @shaunnn_draws)

Wanting to see how creative people are is my main drive to wanting to be online. I feel like if there was no platform to see other artists, it would be harder to connect with people who are part of such an interesting community. As an artist, I believe that every artist is inspired by others’ ideas. If we didn’t have an outlet to share art so easily, it wouldn’t be the same kind of bonded feeling when you want other people to see the meaning in your art. It would definitely be much harder.

My style is catered to cartoons because I've always found them the most captivating. To me, over exaggeratedness feels like the highest form of self expression that I relate to because it can be so over the top and it shows so many emotions I haven't found personally in a realistic style. In reality, I feel a lot of expressions and actions we try to show can’t be displayed the way we want to because it’s not even physically or mentally possible. Cartoons have been molded to my heart especially because I don't think any adult ever wants to grow up in actuality. On the inside, we will always want to be kids in a chaotic world.

Credit: Shaun (Instagram @shaunnn_draws)

Advice I would give is to never let anyone stray you from what you really enjoy doing. Don't be thinking you should cater to something you don’t wanna do just because you think it might impress people or because it’s “not the realistic way to go in life”. Everyday, whether it be art related or not, I’m always thinking “is this for other people or is this for you?” If you don’t enjoy what you truly love doing, you will never find it easy to discover happiness at its fullest potential. 

Until next time!

Shaun