Perseverance, a single word that defines the human experience. The individual's perception of this existence translates into a desire to leave a mark that extends beyond a lifetime. Street art and other markings left on the built environment visualize the determination, hope, frustrations and an overall culture of a given space. The relationship between our need to mark our environment is what attracts me to observing the city through the vision of local lived spaces. Ever since I was a child, I'd stare out the car window, examining the cracks and creases of the city, the minor details that get lost in the grandeur of it all. My eyes would be drawn to spaces scarred and scarred over the years, with street art being the most influential in my life. It is in the lines, colors and shapes that I found the soul of the city. Years later, I'm still drawn to the marks of locals speaking out and making statements about their surroundings. Only recently have I focused on the fact that painting alone is not capable of conveying the character of an area, the built environment in which it was created plays an important role in the effect. Building from my background in art and architecture, I developed an understanding of both creativity and technique. Over the years, analyzing works of art has evolved my ability to look more closely at elements of art to uncover cultural influences and artist perception. I view the city itself as a living work of art, which can be broken down into an understandable list of elements similar to those used in the analysis of works of art. In recent years, architecture classes have given me a more technical way of looking at the city and individual buildings. Uncovering the int...... middle of paper ......ty of Oregon and turning it into a repeatable process that can be applied to cities around the world. When I was in college, my goal was to be an architect and use my math, art, and science skills to create an ideal environment. Over a decade of influences, challenges, and opportunities have allowed me to discover that my greatest interest lies in creating an organic experience that extends beyond a single building. What remains unchanged is my commitment to using my knowledge and abilities to create a built environment that visualizes the emotions of the general public. I am not a typical candidate, I stand out for my personal discipline, ambition and creativity. I hope to be a part of the progressive urban planning that Oregon State is known for at and around the University of Oregon. Thank you for your time and the opportunity.