My name is Mailin Martinez, I am a freshman and first-generation Latina pursuing art at California State University, Fullerton; I am majoring in Studio Arts and plan to concentrate in animation and entertainment art. I'm Interested in stop motion and 2D animation due to my connection and admiration for this powerful medium. Art has always been a part of me, and I think it’s my responsibility to attempt to impact the world positively with my voice as an artist. I aim for social justice and depict Latinos for who they truly are rather than the stereotypical display of them that I saw on TV as I was growing up. Through the animated shows and movies I watched, I noticed a lack of exposure to the Hispanic culture. I never felt like I connected nor resonated with any of the characters as none looked or were like me. I grew up with a limited frame of knowledge, and a skewed perception of my culture, thinking that Hispanics were violent, loud, and overall negative, for which I idealized white families; Because of that, it changed the way I felt about others, especially myself; I have dark/tan skin, and this led me to believe that others may also view me under the Latino stereotypes that I saw on TV and therefore, I isolated myself from others. By constantly seeing the Hispanic characters in animation ridiculed and portrayed with false stereotypes, I grew ashamed of how I looked and of my identity. However, I now know that these stereotypes in the media do not truly portray Latinos for who they are. Through my career in animation, I plan to illustrate the beauty of Hispanic and other minority cultures in a manner that allows the new generation to be proud of who they are and to achieve an appreciation of cultures other than their own. By illustrating shared and differing cultural experiences, I plan to impact the world by bringing everyone together in a place of inclusivity and understanding of others. Rather than thinking negatively about their origins, I want to create an environment where everyone will resonate with characters, find comfort in them, and gain pride and confidence in who they are. Through the medium of 2D animation, I will spread messages of kindness, love, and acceptance so that people will feel better about themselves and be able to spread that positivity to others.

My parents emigrated to this country from Mexico having limited education and opportunities. My mom was a housekeeper and could not afford childcare so during summers and after school, my siblings and I went with her. As my family moved from one house to another the only thing that cured my boredom was the cartoons I would watch. We didn't have sufficient money for cable, therefore I longed to go to my mom’s work as I found comfort in the cartoons I’d watch while I was there. It was during those moments, I realized that I wanted to pursue creativity in a career and became passionate about the creative arts. My parents thought of art as just a hobby, however, I later learned that art could be more than that. I have always had an inkling that I wanted to become an artist, but it wasn't until my sophomore year in high school that it was confirmed. Although the idea of attending and pursuing art was something my parents opposed, it was something I dreamed of. From watching accepted art portfolios and tutorials on how to draw or color pieces, I was able to develop and evolve as an artist. At the end of my sophomore year, I created an art account to push myself to draw more. I am passionate more specifically about animation in studio arts, and interested in stop motion and 2D animation due to my connection and admiration for this powerful medium. The artist's ability to manipulate something as simple as a character's eyes creates a great connection and emotion with the viewer. This form of art allowed me to grow, was a huge part of my childhood and sparked that want and need to pursue art. In an attempt to replicate the art I saw as I child, although I would get frustrated, creating art was something I could never get rid of and always picked up. The way I have used this medium and the creative arts, in general, to portray my opinions and showcase what I admire, allows me to grow mentally and stylistically. This form has become very essential in my life as it has allowed me to grow out of this shell I was in when I was younger and allowed me to truly admire and showcase what I like without the fear of being judged. I want to be able to continue to not only voice what I like but though this be able to help and be a voice for others, it is something I aspire to be able to continue to do for the rest of my life. I aspire to learn and be able to create something that allows me to express myself, communicate with others, and comfort people as cartoons did to me as a kid.