Malcolm Cormier (Louisiana, b. 2003) utilizes his art as an outlet to make people laugh, express his inner dialogue, and/or self-reflect. He specializes in illustration, animation, storytelling, and color theory, which is demonstrated in his short film, Clean Up Job. Using his infinite willingness to learn and an ambitious dedication to his work, he graduated with a Computer Art and Animation degree at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and has great enthusiasm for the future possibilities of nourishing the artistic atmosphere in Louisiana.

“Failure, to many, is an inevitable pain that is dreaded infinitely, or becomes something to accept and grow from. In my experience, dread is usually the winner. In turn, traumatic past failures, unrealistic comparisons, and cognitive dissonance are all qualities that lead to a lack of self-worth and self-trust. Developing these insecurities is how I now find myself rejecting opportunities, taking criticism personally, and crumbling under the pressure of doing well in any environment. It’s a constant battle, rejecting the idea that one cannot handle adversities, but with hard work and self-reflection, it is possible. All of this is encapsulated in my work, which is the culmination of challenging myself and accepting what life gives me in every form.