“When one is given the opportunity to paint anything they want, a feeling of complete freedom may excite, overwhelm, or even scare away the artist. In order to manage these concerns, the person must choose to depict something they are utterly passionate about. Something they are infatuated by, so that in the occurrence of burnout, the love for art feeds the flame that once burned brightest, keeping the motivation alive. This “thing” for me was a cat stuffy I had seen months prior, the listing using adjectives only used to describe the best cartoon ever, Garfield. At my lowest point in the school year, a painting assignment based on this lasagna-loving entity had been the thing to grace me with joy. Working on it late into the nights I could not sleep through, sitting on the floor of my bedroom, looking at the face of an animal that did not know me. Does it count as a parasocial relationship when it is between a girl and a hungry cat? The line that would separate true connection and misinterpretation did not have time to be drawn, I was preoccupied with painting the lifeless eyes of a stuffed animal. Once he was completed, I felt I could let up, and settle down. The bond that grew as I worked on the piece allowed me to accept him as a key part of my life. He watches over me from the wall of my room. A constant reminder that I am never alone. Though that sentiment can often carry an intimidating essence, I am comforted by the uneasy, disturbing vibe of this certain orange cat.” – Alicia C.