While Academic Magnet’s students are known for our ability to take AP classes and score high on tests, some of us are also gifted with creative streaks. Those students with innate visual ability fueled by the determination to create bring life to our student body through art. Often times when we imagine artist, we see individuals dressed in bright colors and sketching in journals while radiating quirkiness. However, many of those with the knack for creation are disguised as everyday students. These hidden artists live normal lives at school, but in their free time they create anything their minds can imagine. One of such artists is sophomore, Mark Owens. 

To many of us, Mark is known as a cross country runner with an affinity for Marvel Comics. He spends his time at school studying, learning, and playing MineCraft. However, once home, Mark pours himself into his art. “What type of art does he create?”,  you may ask, none other than stop motion animation. For those readers unaware of what this process is, it consists of using small figures or models to create a film by taking pictures of said characters, then moving them slightly and taking another picture. This is repeated many times until all the photos can be compiled as individual frames in a movie or short video. 

I was privileged with the opportunity to exclusively interview Mark on his work and creative process. I first asked Mark how he would describe what he does, and Mark said, “I make short films about any good ideas that pop into my head. I submit them to film contests in hopes that I’ll win something.” Mark’s creative process starts with “writing things down” and “[making] a script of some sort.” Finally, he “likes to let the finished edit sit for a day so he can come back and change anything he missed or changed his mind about.” I asked Mark what his preferred medium to work with is and he said “clay when making something with a more meaningful message because it’s easier to make expressions on clay people’s faces rather than finding people who are willing to act”, which I found to be a very creative way to bypass the struggles of interacting with other humans.  Mark’s words of advice for those attempting to be successful artists to simply “follow your passion.” Wow, truly inspiring.

If any of those reading have any interest in art or even trying to create, I highly suggest you just go for it. Mark finds true bliss through making his videos and I believe anyone who wishes to do so should. Finally, upon Mark’s request, I leave you with his final statement: “Subscribe to my YouTube channel: markdoesvideos, and if you have any producer/ filmmaking friends it’d be really cool if you showed them my stuff.” What beautiful words from a true artist