The defining moment of my life so far was nothing special. Sitting in my room at the age of twelve, doodling dragons on a scrap piece of paper, I realized somewhat suddenly that this - drawing - was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I'd taken classes casually for most of my childhood, but it had never occurred to me that it was something I loved enough to make it my ambition. Once the thought crossed my mind, though, I was set. It felt like the most natural thing in the world, and immediately I started working to improve my skills and surround myself with artistic influences.

Since then, I've worked diligently to improve my talent and carve a path for myself. From stuffing my schedule full of art classes to entering competitions and selling my creations online, I was exploring the world of illustration long before I had settled on a signature style, medium, or subject. Even today I challenge myself to reach out constantly and take in new, different opportunities. My journey led me to the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, where I now study art as a freshman and plan to declare an illustration major with a business minor in my sophomore year. My talent is thriving now more than ever, fueled by dedicated teachers, an expansive amount of resources, and exciting new challenges.

In my spare time, I like to spend time with my boyfriend of three years, bond with my wacky family, hang out with friends, go birdwatching, explore the city of Milwaukee, and create costumes for the Bristol Renaissance Faire. My curiosity extends to many other subjects, and I often spend long hours simply researching topics such as psychology, biology, and other cultures. The world is my playground, and I plan to make the most out of it.

~Linaeve