Daily Inspiration: Meet Shirley Ma

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shirley Ma.

Hi Shirley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born into a family of medical professionals. Whether it was due to the expectations of those around me or my immersion in this environment, I never doubted that I would grow up to become a doctor, despite my strong passion for drawing. Throughout my school years, as I contemplated the conventional path toward a medical career, I also pondered on how to nurture my artistic hobbies during my free time. Consequently, I followed a traditional life plan and made plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, all while immersing myself in the application process and requirements for medical school. Additionally, I would draw every day on my student calendars, finding moments of creative expression amidst my academic pursuits.

This belief first began to waver during my high school years when I acquired my first iPad and laptop, opening the door to the world of digital drawing. Back then, there was no such thing as an Apple Pencil, so I relied on my fingers to draw on the iPad and a mouse for the laptop. As someone who tended to be somewhat introverted, I devoted my free time to drawing, which resulted in having only a small circle of about three close friends. However, everything changed when I stepped into digital art.

Sharing my work online allowed me to connect with a diverse community of individuals who shared the same passion for artistic expression. It was in the 11th grade that I had the privilege of crossing paths with a talented composer who happened to be the same age as me. Together, we collaborated on creating artwork for her music videos, which we then shared online. As I delved further into the realm of animated music video production, I acquired new skills and brought our collaborative visions to life. We even started to make an actual short animation. These moments, when I concealed my real-life identity and collaborated with strangers to create diverse forms of art, remain etched in my memory as the most unforgettable experiences.

Through this process, I had the opportunity to connect with numerous people from different age groups and fields, each possessing their own unique talents. Their experiences and stories broadened my perspective, leading me to question if this was the world I wanted to live in the future—where people could perceive my insights through my artwork and where friendships could be forged by colliding with novel artistic ideas. It was an eye-opening journey that expanded my horizons and made me reconsider the path I had once set my sights on.

However, I decided to continue pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry because time was flying by quickly, and as a 17-year-old teenager, it felt challenging to reconstruct my beliefs within just a few months. A turning point came during my junior year in college when a close friend of mine got accepted into medical school, providing me with firsthand insight into the demands of her daily life. Unlike my university years, where I effectively managed my time and dedicated ample hours to drawing, the idea of pursuing artistic endeavors while in medical school seemed like a distant dream.

Seeing my friend juggling exams, academics, and extracurricular activities, she had to take a considerable hiatus from drawing. When she eventually returned to it, she confessed that she had become somewhat rusty. It was during this realization that I fully grasped the fact that, for years to come on my medical journey, I would have to sacrifice my passion for drawing in order to pursue my primary profession. The thought of not being able to dedicate enough attention to drawing for an extended period of time was unimaginable to me. Additionally, the significant gap in skill level resulting from such a lengthy hiatus could not be easily overcome.

These revelations led me to question whether I would have the opportunity or the same level of enthusiasm to continue pursuing this beloved hobby once I became a certified doctor. It was a dilemma that weighed heavily on my mind as I considered the sacrifices and the potential impact on my artistic journey.

Simultaneously, I couldn’t help but wonder if my future self would feel a sense of regret for not even attempting to apply to an art school. In the first half of my senior year in college, driven by the desire to eliminate any potential future regrets, I made the decision to apply to the Art Center College of Design. Their concept design program aligned perfectly with my aspirations, and many of my admired artists had graduated from that prestigious institution. It was a defining moment where I aimed to provide an answer to my younger self: if I lacked the necessary talent, I would let go of the idea entirely; however, if I possessed the required skills, I would wholeheartedly pursue my dreams.

Preparing my portfolio while simultaneously studying for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) presented a significant challenge. Yet, throughout the process, I had the unwavering support and encouragement of my friends, who had been by my side for many years. Their thoughtful critiques and genuine compliments on my portfolio fueled my courage and determination, propelling me forward. Finally, after years of hard work and dedication, my dreams began to materialize as I received the acceptance letter from the art school of my dreams.

Today, I proudly affirm my unwavering commitment to embark on this new chapter of my life—a chapter that is wholly dedicated to nurturing and pursuing my passions and aspirations.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest challenge undoubtedly stemmed from within my heart as I confronted the need to reshape my long-held beliefs. I found myself questioning whether my four years of pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry would be rendered meaningless if I decided to take a completely different path. Would it all have been in vain? It was during this introspection that I realized a fundamental truth: if I took the leap and gained admission into an art school, I would embark on a journey to become an artist within the next four years. On the other hand, if I didn’t even attempt to try, I would forever regret not giving myself the opportunity to explore that path. However, the process of preparing my portfolio did pose challenges. It required significant time and effort, impacting both my GPA and my ability to shadow doctors in a hospital setting. In the event that I didn’t gain acceptance into the art school, I would need to redouble my efforts and work even harder to catch up on my medical track.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have a deep passion for animation and visual development. In the past, I dedicated myself to creating numerous animated music videos online, taking on all aspects of the production process—from plot design to character design, storyboarding, and final video creation. Having a grasp of After Effects and the ability to bring my ideas to life through drawing made the process of expressing my creativity much more seamless. However, I must admit that this approach also fostered some detrimental habits, such as occasionally neglecting the crucial storyboard phase, as I only needed to comprehend it myself.

How do you think about luck?
As I reflect on my life journey, I realize that I have been fortunate to encounter several moments of serendipity. The first significant stroke of luck was undoubtedly discovering the online artist community, where one’s work is evaluated solely on its merits, disregarding age, occupation, race, and other external factors. This community not only provided a platform for me to showcase my artwork but also allowed me to forge friendships with talented individuals from all around the world—an unimaginable prospect in the physical realm.

Moreover, the online world became a treasure trove of knowledge as I ventured into self-teaching. Friends and strangers alike generously shared their tips, tutorials, and expertise, enabling me to acquire new skills rapidly and effortlessly. Although I may consider the four years spent pursuing a degree in chemistry as potentially “wasted” in terms of my artistic aspirations, I recognize that this academic journey brought me something invaluable: incredible friendships. Additionally, my involvement as a teaching assistant and residential assistant during my college years honed my communication skills and fostered a deep sense of community.

Looking back, I see that each chapter of my life has been interwoven with fortuitous encounters and meaningful experiences. These encounters have shaped me into the person I am today. I embrace the belief that every step I have taken, even if seemingly unrelated, has contributed to my personal growth and prepared me for the exciting path that lies ahead.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shirleyma2487.myportfolio.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirleyma2487/