For as long as I can remember art has been a large aspect of my life, the will to create and make the imaginings of my mind manifest drove me to inevitably choose art as a life goal. This process took time -I was unsure at first, I lacked focus- I began my official artistic career with an apprenticeship with my father (Ford Ian Hallam, www.fordhallam.com/) which taught me to focus and work through any external factors that might deter me, but I felt I needed to be my own man, to make art that felt like it came from me and wasn't a continuation. I decided to go to art school (www.sun025.sun.ac.za/portal/page/portal/Arts/Departments/visual-arts) to find myself and try to develop my technique and style as an artist, the first year was relatively smooth sailing. I worked at my art and followed the projects given, but as the year passed the half way point seeds of doubt began to take root, I felt there was no progression in my art. We would complete an artwork in whatever medium was given over 2 weeks and when it was done it was on to the next medium (with drawing being a recurring medium every second week). I felt like I was becoming a "Jack" of all mediums yet master of none. Despite this flourishing doubt in my mind I pushed on to complete the year and a second year (with the hope the next year would bring about a new work system), but to my dismay second year was just as before on top of some lecturers attempting to imprint their styles onto us or limit our creative freedoms (one lecturer's words will be etched into my mind for possibly my entire career: "tone down the colour"). I knew this place was stifling my creativity and I felt disheartened, I decided I needed out, to truly stretch my creative wings and soar so to speak, but I was unsure, my faith in art was shaken and as a result I toyed with the idea of going into animation. I set about creating my portfolio to get into The Animation School (www.theanimationschool.co.za), I submitted it and was accepted almost instantly, but art wouldn't let me go that easily- as the date for the deposit drew near I came to the realisation this wasn't me and despite the negativity I felt for my art in university I knew that it wasn't a true representation of what art is or could be so I decided to go out into the world and simply start at square one, make art and get the stories I want to tell in my art out there for the world to experience and see. So here I am, creating and loving every moment of it.