Growing up I'm sure we have all heard the phrase, “Birds of a feather, flock together.”

People usually hang out with other people who are of like mind and morals and not only do scientific studies show this, but so do life experiences. Through learning about myself I have found more truth to this saying. Not only do we gravitate to people who we are like, we gravitate to people who are attractive to us, physically and otherwise, and who we are inspired by and even honor.

I have found myself surrounding myself with people who have a strong work ethic and who I would want their character to be rubbed off on me. I have been finding that surrounding myself with these people has made me into the ones I admired, of course while still remaining myself. Their good character has rubbed off on me.

By doing this I have created the ultimate support system of people who will help me through anything. They are most times the source of my inspiration and help me when I run into an artist block. Because of these people, I have been able to get through some of the biggest obstacles I have encountered in my life so far. We feed off of each other and make each other feel good instead of putting them down. These are the connections I encourage others to make.

I guess that's why I chose to go to such a classical art school. I saw how serious everyone in the community was about their art and I wanted to be them, run with them, have them show me their ways. I do believe that being a part of a community that cares about one another and lifts each other up has made me abetter person and artist. I came to this school hoping that I would be infected by their creativity and poisoned by their greatness. I am still growing but growing in a flourishing community.

This is like planting a seed in the best soil money could buy. Very, very, expensive soil.