Saami Murray
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Light House
Light House is a series of visual development artworks inspired by professional production guides for contemporary animated films and TV series.My inspiration for Light House emerged from my appreciation for my home, Kennebunk, a seaside shanty town that is evolving alongside its close neighbor, Kennebunkport. Over the past two decades, I witnessed their changing shops, ports, and people, my familiarity with them gradually fading. Despite its recent shift towards modernity, I can still find solace in the past that remains and adapt to the new.
Themes of grief, self-actualization, environmental protection, and growth are explored throughout my thesis. The constant pushing and pulling of the tide is reflected in the main character, Margo. She longed to distance herself from home to discover new horizons; however, when she made that journey, her father suddenly passed away. While struggling with a distant and uncomfortable sense of grief, she takes over her father's position as a light catcher. She must seek out light from the vast ocean for the increasingly dimming town and its lighthouse before it goes out. Along her voyage, she transforms, encountering new friends and learning about the significance of the light and its connection to nature.
Bio
Saami Murray is a visual development artist from Kennebunk, Maine, who specializes in animated feature films and TV series production.She’s passionate about building worlds through an illustrative and painterly lens. The stories she enjoys the most include themes of environmental protection and found family, which are explored in her thesis, Light House.
Her artwork ranges from guides to concepts, preparing her for industry expectations. She’s ready to continue telling stories in a professional context that allows for innovation and collaboration.