Rise Above: A Junior Narrative Illustration by Lauren Salinero (2012)

My illustration is based on the story two very different friends. Both live on the same street, both attended the same elementary, middle, and high schools, and both are writers, but one is a philosopher, while the other prefers to party. The socialite doesn't understand why his philosophical friend spends all his time alone, assuming he must be lonely. Meanwhile, he has a deadline fast approaching, and partying and hanging out are preventing him from finding inspiration. However, by separating himself from the hustle and bustle of the social scene, the quiet friend is able to form ideas for his writing, something his party-going friend must learn to do. In my illustration, the philosophical friend is represented by the observatory, while the sociable one is lost somewhere below in the fog. The observatory rises above the confusing fog and has a clear view of the stars (representing inspiration), while the fog obscures the vision of anyone inside it.