Summary
Highlights
Amelia Lee introduces her talk about the development of an artist, questioning whether it's talent or perseverance that matters most. She reveals that her artistic journey took years, not hours, and outlines three sections for her speech: inspiration, competition, and dealing with social media.
Amelia recounts her childhood love for cartoons, which led her to create her own drawings. She later discovered the 'art industry' behind animation, realizing the hard work and dedication involved in creating what she loved, exemplified by Studio Ghibli's detailed production process.
Amelia describes a period where her art development stalled due to a lack of motivation. This changed in seventh grade when she met an art friend whose more detailed work inspired her. Their friendly competition pushed Amelia out of her comfort zone, significantly improving her skills in a year.
Amelia shares her experience with social media, starting with her first Instagram post. While initially inspired by other artists, the focus on followers and external validation made her insecure and stunted her growth. She realized the importance of creating art for personal enjoyment rather than online approval.
Amelia concludes by answering her initial question: it's neither just talent nor perseverance, but doing what you love and working hard at it that leads to personal satisfaction and growth as an artist. She hopes her journey inspires others to embrace their own.