“Art gives me a chance to be myself and forget about the world. It makes me focus on creating something beautiful for all to enjoy.” 

Catherine Tran is a growing artist and the winner of the new Raider Review Logo Contest. In the new logo, the raider looking for treasure represents a journalist seeking the treasure of truth and story. Catherine explained that she wanted to combine journalistic values with the school mascot. She added detailed elements of writing to the logo such as the pencil as the pole and the notepad as the sail.

This is not the first time Catherine expressed her creativity through art. 

“I’ve been drawing ever since my grandpa gave me my first set of crayons,” she said. 

Starting art at a young age wasn’t always easy. Catherine has taken one formal art class in the past, which strictly criticized her work. Nevertheless, she continued to draw. She gained more confidence and recognition after placing first in the majority of contests she entered for fun. 

Catherine expands her surfaces and options to various art forms such as traditional and digital art. Not staying committed to one specific technique, she lets her mind wander around a pen or a paintbrush until she chooses what to do for each artwork.

“I used to get my inspiration by throwing myself out there in the world, watching how art takes its form in everything and learning about it, but now I focus on my emotions and channel it into what I make,” she said.

Catherine fits in as much time as she can to work on her art projects. She believes that art relieves her stress and motivates her passion.

“I use art as a breather to calm my nerves,” she said.

In the future, Catherine hopes to work in the art industry as an animator or illustrator.