Keep Going
I started this because I have a passion for aquatic life, whether they're from the past or present. Additionally, I have always enjoyed drawing and coloring animals, and now, with AI technology, I can truly bring them to life. Every drawing or image I create tells a story, as do the creatures featured in it. I'm passionate about animals that are considered rare, elusive, large, predatory, and understudied, as their presence is what makes their ecosystems thrive in areas where human development has taken over. I'm also passionate about animals that went extinct because I always wondered how creatures from the past would've lived when humans came into existence.
I'm currently getting my Master's in Marine Biology because I want to be a researcher in aquatic life, but it's been a struggle for me and my family for the last 3 years. Not too long ago, my dad passed away from stomach cancer, and he was my biggest supporter wherever we went. I was really close to him because we traveled a lot when it came to baseball, because he wanted me to be great, and he wanted me to play Division 1 Baseball, which I did, but it wasn't easy. In 2023, he only watched me play Division 1 baseball one time because he was diagnosed with stomach cancer, but he got to see me play that one time he showed up. Then I took the entire 2024 off because my dad ended up in the hospital to treat his diagnosis. By early January 2025, his final words to me before he passed were, "No matter what, do what makes you happy, and I will always be there." I'm also currently playing baseball for fun because I like to be outside and stay active, so that I don't have any health issues as I get older. Plus, my dad would never get tired of watching me perform on the baseball field because it's what makes him happy, along with my passion for wildlife.
Now that he is in a better place, my mom, my brother, and I had to move to a smaller house because prices were going up, and my mom and brother wanted to move to another house where it is quieter and less noisy. Now, as my mom is getting older, I'm struggling to support her with taxes, bills, etc. Even though my brother is working full-time, it is still not enough to support her because we want our mom to retire happily and not have to worry about the struggles that we may face in the future. I've been applying for jobs and internships, but I was denied every time.
Now that I have started creating and selling animal art, I hope it reaches out to others who are passionate about wildlife, just like me.
For those who are trying to start somewhere, never give up, and keep trying new things because learning is a never-ending journey, it's a constant process of discovery - a process without an ending.