“What you see is what you get! just a guy that loves adventure!”- Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) 

I have no idea what kind of hubris I was on when I decided to choose this as my senior quote in high school, but it’s never stopped being my life motto ever since. Putting aside the unique range of artstyles from the 35-year-old franchise, Sonic is kind of my hero: he’s impulsive, witty, and generally careless, opting to brave whatever comes his way without a proper plan. He simply moves forward.  

(AR 2700) Painting journal study, featuring my favorite addiction.

Right, introductions; I’m Xander Valencia, full name Diego Xander Ignatius Valencia. Yes, the “Diego Xander” is one full first name. Filipino families love having wacky name traditions, and my family is no different–the first born son has to have “Diego” somewhere in his first name. Fun fact, my initials can become roman numerals: DXIV, or 514. With that in mind, try to guess what my favorite number is.

Alright, back to the Sonic story. Skip to the present, and I think I’m doing good on that promise? I’m certainly far from home, as Worcester is far, both geographically and culturally, from Los Angeles. I even used my breaks to go to places like New York for the first time, I couldn’t do that if I stayed in SoCal for college. Ever played Touhou 10: Mountain of Faith? The game is all themed around autumn & it’s beauty, and it took me going to New England for college for me to actually experience pretty fall leaves for the first time. 

(AR 2700) My digital painting final, depicting a shrine on an autumn mountain.

(For fun) Digital fanart of an autumn-themed character.

Plus, as far as I’m concerned, pursuing art is its own adventure. In just three years of college, I’ve gone from wanting to do general game design with a CS safety net, to deciding to go all-in with digital illustrations, to believing that I can make a future out of character modelling. Right now, my current hyperfixation is with 3D animation, because rotating joints around is actually quite therapeutic. There’s no guarantee that I’ll be sticking to just one thing after each 8-week term. 

(IMGD 2333 & 3333) Portfolio reels from both classes, animated in 3DSMax and Maya respectively.

But that’s the fun of college, and especially the IMGD major. So many different courses to take, it’s a buffet of art to sample and find out what I want to try cooking on my own. It’s like the first time I tried a real Boston clam “chowdah” and I’ll admit that I messed up my first recipe; not thick enough, lacking in salty clam flavor. Still, I had fun making it. Whether it’s for a class that I have, or something I did on my own for fun, I at least try to enjoy what I’m doing. 

(IMGD 2101) Final project, render of a fully modelled character in ZBrush.

(For fun) Digital fanart of different characters from different media franchises, using different styles & methods.

I mean, if Sonic can breakdance through mechanical dystopias and crumbling cities, I can at least have some smiles and laughs as I work my way through WPI’s curriculum. 

(For fun) Lipsync practice in MMD, using audio from a popular TikTok short.