A Personal Look at My Art Projects and Class Experiences
- fotaquest
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A Personal Look at My Art Projects and Class Experiences
By Lars Guo
Published: December 19, 2025
Opening Message: Hi folks! I hope you’re all doing well. This article is a personal reflection on my experiences with art classes, the pros and cons of art education, my thoughts on art itself, what I hope to create in the future, and some of my favorite projects. Many of these projects were completed after high school, and they helped me rediscover my passion for creating. For more details and visuals, be sure to check out my dioramas—link coming soon.
The Impact of Art Classes: Throughout my life—as a child, teenager, and adult—I embraced art classes because they gave me the freedom to be creative and bring ideas to life. Overall, I enjoyed these classes, but my tenth-grade ceramics teacher had the biggest impact on me. She truly encouraged creativity and allowed one of my most meaningful project ideas to become a reality. Because of her support, art became something I genuinely loved rather than just another class.
Pros of Art Classes: Art classes allow imaginative thoughts to transform into tangible creations. The freedom to think outside the box is what makes these classes so special—you don’t have to color within the lines, and you can turn nothing into something meaningful. While not my strongest piece, one honorary mention goes to a camera sculpture I created using cardboard, aluminum paper, bottle caps, and other recycled materials. Art rooms often provided flexibility that other classes lacked, and that freedom helped me thrive creatively.
Cons of Art Classes: Not every experience was perfect. Some teachers were less supportive of creativity, and there were projects I didn’t particularly enjoy. However, I understand the importance of learning all aspects of art. Avoiding certain styles or techniques would ultimately be a disservice, especially for those who want to grow as artists.
Thoughts on Art Itself: What I love most about art is the ability to turn nothing into something. Creativity, imagination, and building your own magic are incredibly rewarding. At the same time, art can be frustrating when materials, planning, or execution don’t match your vision. I often feel this way about manga—having strong ideas but struggling to bring them to life visually. Many of my projects required multiple iterations before I was satisfied, simply because the initial result didn’t match what I had envisioned.
Favorite Pieces:
My Mini Library: This is one of my favorite projects because it was one of my first original dioramas. I used cardboard, printer paper, Google Images, and other recycled materials to build it. It holds a special place in my heart, especially because of the fake pyramid prop, which tied everything together nicely. While the execution could have been better, the concept was strong. If I were to redo it, I’d change the ceiling design since the dark sky didn’t work as planned. The inspiration came from a Ravenclaw-style study from Harry Potter, combined with Egyptian themes inspired by Atem from Yu-Gi-Oh!. Unfortunately, copyright limitations meant this project couldn’t be completed during my high school years.
My Office Diorama: This project became a favorite because of the challenges I faced along the way. The real magic came from the photos I used, which turned the office into a perfect backdrop for plush photography. I especially loved the color palette and the personal touch of using my own travel photos on the walls, which made the piece feel uniquely mine.
Fuecoco Popcorn Scene: This project was special because it marked one of my first successful T-shirt designs, featuring Fuecoco enjoying popcorn. I designed the shirt, created the popcorn bag prop myself, and ensured the entire scene fit together perfectly. This piece reignited my love for art as a post-grad student and reminded me how fun it is to create something from scratch. I’ve kept the box ever since.
Pumpkin Beach Project: This clay pumpkin was created during high school with special permission from my ceramics teacher. Instead of a traditional design, I gave it a beach island theme. The color palette, blending, and overall cohesion turned out better than I imagined. This project felt like the purest realization of my artistic vision, and while I earned a great grade, the real reward was how much I genuinely enjoyed the process.
My Custom Plush Design: While I didn’t physically make the plush, the design itself is one of my favorites. After selling art in 2022, I wanted something that truly represented me as an artist. The design reflected my interests as a sporty photographer and resembled me closely. It was created without any copyright issues and became the only piece of my art that was ever transformed into a plush. Seeing it come to life was incredibly rewarding.
What I Want to Create Next: I have many ideas, but bringing them to life requires time and patience. One goal is to create a video game–themed room, since gaming is one of my hobbies. I’ve been a fan of Kuroko’s Basketball since high school, and I’d love to design a space dedicated to my favorite character with my own creative twist. I also want to build my own version of a traditional Japanese bedroom. After studying Japanese for years and visiting Japan twice, my appreciation for the culture has only grown. Eventually, I hope to create my own mini manga, though that goal is still a bit further down the road.
Closing Message: I hope you enjoyed this blog and my reflections on art, creativity, and my favorite projects. I wanted to be honest about both the successes and frustrations that come with creating, even when the projects are close to my heart. What are your thoughts on these pieces? Do you agree with my experiences, or did any of this inspire you to start your own art projects? I look forward to sharing more with you in future posts. Have a great day.
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