For as long as I can remember I have always been heavily involved in fantasy stories and games.

As a child I always was drawing princesses, dragons, witches, and knights, and the whole lot. But alas, as a nerdy kid with stereotypical round glasses, I was bullied severely for my interests, and I quickly learned to hide them away from the public eye.

For years I shunned “nerd culture” for the fear of isolation and torment from my peers. But near the end of middle school, I stumbled into the living room to find my older brother playing Dungeons and Dragons with his group of school friends. With a smile, my brother offered a seat and they allowed me to join their game. Their kindness broke down a wall of self-consciousness within me and I finally allowed for my “nerdiness” to break through.

I became a much happier person, and my friends accepted me and even began to share my hobbies! I even continued to play Dungeons and Dragons with my brother and his friends and eventually started to run my own campaign story when I became more confident in my playing skills.

I improved my writing skills and art skills as I began to create stories and characters in fantasy worlds of my own, and I even was able to apply my love for fantasy creatures into my sustained investigation in my AP Art class. Because I was able to work on something I truly was interested in and passionate about, I thrived in my art class and was able to win several awards for my collection of oil paint pieces. I was fortunate enough to will the Golden Eagle Award in my hometown, and I was even able to put up a few of my art pieces into a professional art gallery. I owe a lot to my big brother and his nerdy buddies for helping me grow as a person and artist in my interests!