“I guess that’s where that addiction continued,” Jazza said. The acceptance and inspiration from these online communities had an almost intoxicating effect. “And there are people whose animations and stories I’m watching that I respect, or I want to be like - I want to make things that have people feel the same way about what I’m making.” “All of a sudden, okay, I’m making this little stick figure story that is being seen by people all around the world,” he said. The agency Jazza found in art expanded the more he shared his work. He also took inspiration from other creators on these platforms. In these emerging communities, Jazza could upload his animations for people around the world. Since this was before YouTube dominated the creative scene across the web, Jazza built his first audience on sites like New Grounds and other flash animation hubs of the early aughts.

Intrigued by the relationships and reputation artwork helped him build in school, Jazza took his art online. Gradually, he transitioned from the “geeky kid” to “the kid who draws.” Finding inspiration online “I was in charge of the universes I could create,” Jazza said. Art quickly began to serve as a way to take control of his world. Making art during lunch and recess turned a potential dark period into one of discovery and empowerment. “I would just draw pictures and get really lost in creating stuff,” Jazza said.

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