13 May Meet Shelby Marie Vaughn
Futurus has been beyond excited to welcome Shelby Marie on board as our intern this year. She is a student at Georgia State University, a designer, and artist that is incredibly creative and accomplished. Not only is the team impressed with the work she produces, she always brings a smile and a positive attitude. We wanted to get to know her a little more, so we asked a few questions to learn about the artist that brings such a light to our team.
What has been your favorite piece of art you’ve created?
My favorite piece of art that I’ve created is a colored pencil portrait of my nephew. I made it as a senior in high school for class and entered it in a congressional art competition on a whim. A few weeks later, it was selected for my district and was on its way to the United States Capital for one year. My family and I took trips to DC to see it. On the second, I met Congressman John Lewis!
What are some of your hobbies?
My hobbies range from sewing crafts to reading, but my favorite pastime is watching movies. I’ve been a Marvel fanatic since the release of Iron Man in 2008. If I had to pick a favorite character, I would choose Gamora for her wit and combat skills. Guardians of the Galaxy has an amazing soundtrack and its setting has the most beautiful range of colors.
Who would you consider to be your biggest cheerleaders?
My biggest cheerleaders are definitely my parents! From the beginning, they have encouraged me to pursue what I love and just have fun. There are plenty of old scribbles and stick figures to prove it. One summer, they let even me paint a mural at our condo in Florida!
What has been your biggest challenge as an artist?
My greatest challenge as an artist is looking at my own art with fresh eyes. Like most creatives, I find myself in the never-ending process of “what should I add or take away to make this better?” I’ve found that it helps to step away from my projects for a couple of hours. Then when I come back, I can fix any glaring problems or see that some of the smaller issues weren’t as big as I remembered. Additionally, I’ve learned to appreciate other art styles without criticizing my own! Growth is good, belittling- bad.
What’s your favorite game/experience in VR?
My favorite game in VR is Beat Saber. I grew up in the Guitar Hero and Just Dance era, so Beat Saber’s bright colors and energetic tunes bring a sense of nostalgia.
What is one thing you have learned at Futurus?
Futurus has taught me the value of collaboration. Of course, I had worked on group projects for school, but the sense of comradery in the office is unlike any team I’ve been a part of. Everyone brings a unique perspective that makes our projects fun and exciting.
