Mission statement/ Artist Manifesto

Mission statement

At this creative place everyone can enjoy plenty colourful illustrations/animations while also designing more for anyone who requests that. Here I throw everything I create to motivate and bring some happiness into this gloomy world.

Artist Manifesto

Hi! My name is Elena and wish to be an illustrator soon. I was born in Romania, in a relatively small city, Targoviste, where there weren’t many places to visit or for entertainment. We also didn’t see many tourists, I believe in my 18 years lived there, the times I have seen someone who wasn’t Romanian can be counted on the fingers from one hand. And because of this, people weren't used to diversity, they have grown up to be very close minded, being shocked at every piece of clothing too colourful, too much makeup, piercings, more so when the sexual orientation isn’t what they perceive as common there. They used to always judge everything, what I used to wear, what I used to think or like. It was a struggle to live there sometimes and that is why I needed to leave, and I did, to the place where there is so much diversity, where people are more open minded, where I can find friends with similar interests as me, I really like London, although it’s not perfect, it’s much better than being home.

I have always despised the hate and judgement some people have for others, they try to find an excuse so that this foolish thinking can be justified, but it’s not, criticizing is only a way to protect themselves, but it is not fair to bring others down with them. There weren't any members of the LGBTQ+, they did exist, but they had to hide, and I absolutely hate how they couldn’t be themselves there. An uncle of mine is gay and he has always been quiet about it but after he started saying who he was, people were being so different to him, I’ve heard so many of our family members judging him behind his back and whenever I used to side with him, they would start judging me too.

Fashion has been an interest of mine, always researching new outfits, buying new clothes, it makes me happy. However, I couldn’t even express myself back home, every time I would wear something they weren’t used to, I would hear laughter. I vividly remember of one time where I started wearing my laces from my boots around my ankles, and they started making fun of me, or when I only tucked half of my shirt in my jeans. There have been so many instances like this, people really are ruthless there, they can be very friendly and helpful but also the moment you don’t fit into their criteria of “normal” you’re done.

My whole life all I wanted to achieve is to be happy, not all the time, because that would be impossible, but at least most of the time. I want to be true to myself, to be good to others, do only what I wish to do. Not caring about money, about social status, about what people have to say about me, just live my life happily.

All throughout the years people have been judged for truly everything, there always is at least one thing in every generation that people are made fun of, things that people are even killed for, such as their ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and so much more, that is why through my art I want to convey a sort of optimistic feeling, that makes people feel at ease and happy, while also not bringing focus on their insecurities or what other people would condemn them for.

Exploring Studio Practices- Equality Matters

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