In a world full of influencers, from radio to TV to social media, telling us what is cool, what would make us popular, what would make us beautiful, subconsciously whispering in our ears telling us to conform, it is a rarity to find something that overpowers the whispers and encourages you to be you.

For me, that is art. When you see something and it touches your soul, it is so captivating you can’t look away, you feel a connection not simply because you’re an “art lover” but because something about it registers with you from deep within.

That is what immediately drew me to Tim Burton's. His passion and imagination flows from his brain to his hands and onto paper where he creates these mystical, misunderstood vibrant worlds filled with characters so far from the “norm” that my soul couldn’t help but resonate with them.

So many times in my life, I felt forced to try and fit the mold, color within the lines, and not be to “out there” because that would make me weird. But that is exactly what makes Tim Burton not only my artistic idol, but also one of my heroes.

In an interview in MTV’s "Freaks," Nerds and Weirdos’ special, Burton states, “When I think of a weirdo I usually think of somebody who is an individual and free and it's something that everybody should strive for cause everybody's different.”

When I heard this, it was music to my ears, not simply because he said it but because in that moment I realized why his art, movies and animation spoke to my heart. To me, his characters are constant physical forms of encouragement to not feel like I need to fit the mold or stay within the lines but to shine even if that shine labels me a weirdo. In a world where so many people want to "fit the norm" why wouldn't I want to stand out?

Burton said it best when he said, “One person's craziness is another person’s reality.” It's a freeing feeling when you find something that can encourage you with out you even realizing it. For me, Tim Burton is not only an artist and director but an encourager, an influencer in not only his art but in what his art portrays.

Thank you, Mr. Burton for showing me that its OK not to conform, that even when you're a weirdo, you can be successful and most importantly never let other dull your creativity. Just because they don't understand, doesn't mean it is not good art!