Fiona Aquilo, “Digital Diary”

I’ve had the honor to compete in the Scholastic Art Competition for many years.  Looking back at all the art I’ve entered through the years, I see how my art has gone through a journey of creative growth, impacting my personal growth as well.  While I love every type of creative outlet from painting, traditional art, crocheting, jewelry making, photography, video editing, digital art, and more, I’m proud to say that I have found joy in where my art path has led me.  My path has made way to show me that my greatest love is anime style character design, digital art, and digital illustration. 

My love of digital art and illustration involves drawing amazing character designs for myself and for others.  It takes lots of practice and a good understanding of the art software, but once a piece is created, I feel like a professional animator or character designer like Samdoesarts, Hyanna Natsu, Kan Liu, and the many other talented artists I admire. After turning to a new chapter in my creative journey, I find myself dreaming of becoming a professional digital illustrator within the anime studio or video game industry, either as an owner or an employee, whatever makes me happy. 

Each of the pieces in my portfolio reflect when I was trying something new with my digital art such as using different coloring techniques to creating unique poses, lightings, and surroundings.  I’ve struggled sometimes trying to find where to go with my creative drive.  I’m extremely happy to be finding my lane in the art world, and I hope this portfolio shows my progress so far.
 

Georgia Honts, “My Lucida,” James River High School

This collection of works represents finding love and seeing the natural glow of life and happiness. It can be easy to focus on all of the bad things in life and drown in the darkness, but there are lots of small things, little stars, that each add a bit of light to the world. When you take a step back and see the full picture, you are met with the most breathtaking night sky; there is never true darkness when I remember my stars. 

The word Lucida describes the brightest star in a constellation: the light of your life. It can be something…or someone, who’s made your whole life glow. Each piece incorporates something that may seem small or unimportant, but when brought closer has its own unique light. Yellow and white are used to convey this glowing light and the happiness brought by it, spreading to touch everything around it; stars are present to represent every small thing to be thankful for. Each piece also draws inspiration from a comforting presence in my own life; whether it be a book like “Goodnight Moon”, a fond memory, or the fireflies and stars themselves.