Introduction

This is one of the earliest known records indicating my desire to create artwork, c1992

Most kids start drawing (on paper, clothes, walls, etc) at a young age, but after time that expression happens less and less. There is a growing amount of research about the two hemispheres of the brain and how many people have one side that's more dominant. It does seem that some people are initially better at some things than others, but I think problems arise when we go to extremes and say that people are either this or that. When we create these dichotomies, we fail to see that the brain is still two halves of a whole and people start to believe that they can't, or shouldn't, develop the other side of the brain. Basically, I don't believe people when they say "I am not creative," "I can't draw," or "I will never be able to understand math and science."My sense is the more we integrate the disciplines of art and science, the more we can understand them. For example, I struggled most days to understand what was being taught in my high school science classes. There was one day, however, when a teacher showed the class an animation that visually explained one of the concepts we were learning about, and it helped a great deal.


I've known since 2004 that I wanted to learn how to make animations, and for years I didn't think about using it outside the film industry. But now, after reflecting back to that animation from my science class, I feel drawn to using animation to develop educational tools, especially for children and youth.

Currently, I'm pursuing my dream to become an animator by studying at Vancouver Film School as a student in the Foundation Visual Art & Design Program. I plan on taking a second year at VFS in the 3D Animation & Visual Effects Program. It took me three years to be able to continue my education after graduating from high school, and to be able to study at Vancouver Film School is an incredible opportunity.