Today we’d like to introduce you to Libby Schaffer
Hi Libby, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My artistic journey started as a kid in a small Kansas town. Watercolors and graphite drawings were my go-to’s, but everything changed once I hit middle school. At ten years old, I fell in love with music after joining my middle school’s band, playing the clarinet. From there, I started to pick up more instruments; first the piano, then the violin, cello, guitar, and so on. Over the years, I performed in numerous solos and ensembles across local churches and museums.
At fifteen, I began experiencing extreme pain in my hands which persisted for years, forcing me to find new creative outlets. I picked up new hobbies like digital art, fashion, and video games. All of these mediums stuck with me heavily throughout high school and pushed me to pursue a creative field of work, specifically game development.
I started researching colleges and came across the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Atlanta. Although it was far from my Kansas hometown, it was exactly what I was looking for; a top-rated school with a diverse and creative environment, and I have family nearby.
Since moving to SCAD, I have had so many amazing opportunities and met some amazing people. I picked up modeling, acting, and started working with my peers on student-led projects. I even grew out of my hand pain and can play instruments again! I have never felt more accepted than I do at SCAD. I am so happy I took the leap to move to this amazing City, and I look forward to the future I am building for myself.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Growing up in a small town as a creative person wasn’t easy. If I wanted to express myself I felt like it had to be in private. I often received comments on how I dressed, did my makeup, and even my hobbies. Music became my only outlet, but when I began experiencing extreme hand pain at fifteen, it felt like my life came to a complete halt. I couldn’t play instruments anymore, which completely took away my only form of self-expression.
After reaching out to my doctor, I was told to take a break from playing until the pain subsided. At the time, I figured a few weeks of rest was all I needed and I would be back at it in no time! I was far beyond wrong with this assumption. Frustrating weeks turned into upsetting months, and eventually into a devastating four years of not being able to play. I began to lose hope.
I reached out to my piano teacher, hoping for some sort of solution to my pain. Although he couldn’t help my physical issue, he recommended another solution; piano teaching. Initially, I thought I wasn’t up to the task. I was only sixteen and had no teaching experience, but I decided to try it. To this day, I am so happy I did.
Seeing someone so excited about what I loved, and wanting to learn from me completely changed my outlook. While I still couldn’t play, for the time being, I could express my love for what I did through my students. It taught me to look on the bright side and problem-solve. Although not my preferred route, it truly taught me so much about life and the power of a positive outlook.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a multimedia artist and model, working towards a BFA in game design. Most of my time is focused on creating digital portraits and making small games using Unreal Engine. I am most proud of the growth I have experienced as a person and artist over the past few years; I have achieved and learned things I never thought possible. What separates me from others is my curiosity and drive to learn, no matter the topic. I see every new opportunity as a chance to expand my knowledge and push my creative boundaries.
How do you define success?
Success is the outcome of completing an endeavor, wether good or bad.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://libbyschaffer12.wixsite.com/my-site-5
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libby_schaffer_/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbyschaffer
