Since I was in middle school you have been an inspiration to me. Finally when I was 33 years old, at Blizzcon 2016, I got to meet you and you signed my art book. You stuck out your hand and said "Hi! I'm Sam!" It was a dream come true! Thank you for everything you have contributed to my imagination and life!

Blizzard: "Draw the shoulders smaller." Samwise: "No." *Quits*

I was born in '85. I remember taking the Warcraft 2 game manual onto the bus and showing my friends. We would all crowd around staring at the artwork, talking about the clans and kingdoms, and picking our favorites based on the little text blurbs and iconography. The work you and your peers have done over the decades will outlive your grandchildren, thank you.

You leaving Blizzard feels like an end of an era. Your artwork was the soul of the studio's most popular games, and it's sad to see that style go. But if this means we will get more of you and your artwork (and more pandas too!), then I welcome the change. Good luck on your next endeavors! We are rooting for you!

You and Chris are responsible for my favorite franchise of all time In 1995 I rode in the car through the mountains of Colorado with my parents and imagined the Orcs and Humans clashing in the hills I wish we could go back to that aesthetic and what made us so great

I'm 45 now Sam. I've followed your art for YEARS. It's always brought me and those around me so much joy. I'm so sorry to hear about your father passing. I know he is with you. And so very proud. Take good care of yourself and we look forward to seeing what the new chapter has in store!

Your distinct classic style will be missed in Blizzard games. I sometimes look at the old world of WoW, see the graphics and can easily see your very clear designs and markings. ESPECIALLY Ironforge. In the current world of hyper-realism, your stylized art is what will last a life time. Have you decided if you wanted to stream on youtube or twitch and interact with the community and chat about stuff? Hearing your insight on some pieces of art would be cool and add more 'lore' to some things.

Your style is in the DNA of Blizzard and really so much of the larger industry. I grew up on your work, and I've still got the Warcraft 2 manual here at my desk. You're an inspiration, Samwise! Thanks for everything, and I'll look forward to whatever's next. ABC

As a 54yr old who retired from the Marine Corps after 30 years back in 2017, I can relate to this completely. I was my dad's caretaker for the past few year until he passed earlier this year. He always said he'd make 100, but at 95 things went off the rail's quick, and that's a blessed run, I'll try to carry the torch to 100 for him lol, but in any event, I completely respect your choice, love your work, and wish you nothing but the best! Also didn't realize you had this channel, subscribing now!

As a 13 year old Swedish kid. I bought my first Hammerfall CD. And that's where my journey started. I'm 33 years old now. Having played WoW for almost 2 decades, not to mention warcraft 2 and 3. Mad respect to you

You're a legend, man. Actually met you at Blizzcon years ago at dinner in the Hilton. You were nice enough to come over to our table and surprise the heck out of our guild's resident artist who's a huge fan of yours. You made her entire year.

Congrats Samwise. Blizzard was my dream company that I wanted to work for since I played Warcraft 1 in 1998. You are my art idol and I do have a couple of books from you. Did met you in one of the Comic Convention around 2016 and got to talk to you for a few minutes. Told my family that you are a great guy and very down to earth. Wish you well on your next journey and hope to see what you are up to soon.

I still remember the first time I noticed that tiny “Samwise” scrawled next to a piece of Warcraft concept art, what must have been over 20 years ago now. I grew up with Warcraft. This world you helped create has kept me dreaming my entire life. Hard to explain the impact it’s had on me. Thank you.

You were one of my role models Sam. I always loved your art and you encouraged me doing art as well. I couldn't get any better but I had a lot of fun.

Im born 90. I remember watching your art as a kid over and over again in the booklets that came with the games. I have known your name my entire life. I visited a site you had daily almost daily during my teens, heroes of the storm, before the game ever was imagined. Happy to hear your voice. Even tho i did not continue my art studies you have inspired me alot to just create in general. In my eyes your art meant alot for the games success and I think many people loved it more than the games themselfes. Thanks!

I still remember (my first brush with Blizzard and your work) a piece of concept art you made. It was a Protoss Zealot. It was 25 years ago and I was a kid. I here I am an adult and still love the worlds you helped create. Here's to at least another 25+ years of creating amazing stuff that stays with people and inspires them. I wish you all the best.

You're a legend to me, I've loved warcraft since I was 9 years old. When I'm 53 and you're 78 I look forward to looking back on the last 25 years right with you dude. I'm still gonna keep playing WoW and I'm happy with everything you've done. There's always gonna be a piece of your legacy reflected in Warcraft until the very end even with the hands of other artists. Thank you so much! and I'm looking forward to what you do next :) Love Hearthstone as well so I hope to keep seeing your own work from time to time!

Chen is such a massive flex. Such detailed face, so many details, and it just works.

I began to feel a lot of affection for you, Chris Metzen, and Mike Morhaime since I watched a documentary: 'World of Warcraft: Looking for Group - Documentary.' I wish you all the best. Even though Blizzard may not be the same anymore, I thank you very much for all the art you have created. Thank you thank you a lot for sharings this thoughts. I appreaciate. Can we get that image for downloading? I want to keep it as a memento.

Thanks for everything! I would not be where I am without your art. It started me on my creative journey and it still fuels me today. For the HORDE!!

Oh wow... To think I started my artistic path 20 years ago copying Samwise art back when I was younger. When I hear this, it makes me think about a lot of things since I'm going to be older than my own pops next year. Just a lot to process and think about my own life when I hear about your journey.

Im almost 40 now, and have seen your amazing art for Warcraft and Starcraft through my life. Thank you for creating amazing art for us to enjoy, god speed!

dude. what a ride you had man. your impact on millions of people is such a bad ass and positive legacy. thanks for everything. one of the many who grew up with your stuff. rock on man, and thanks.

I’m sad to know you and your art won’t be there anymore, but I’m excited and happy for you and the next journey. You’ve left an indelible mark on this community and the style of these worlds, and we’re forever grateful. You’ve achieved immortality, Samwise, and how lucky are we to have been alive to see, and live in, your art. Cheers brother, and thank you!

I’m pushing 50 and I’ve been drawing on and off since I was a kid. I’ve never been great at it and I should have pushed myself to get better over the years. But while I work my 9 to 5 job, pay my bills, take care of my house etc, I use drawing as a bit of an escape sometimes and you are continually a source of inspiration for me to keep doing so, even if it’s just a silly little doodle. Thanks for all of the years and I look forward to all that is to come.

I've been a huge fan for about over 3 decades now, My older bros and I would oogle over the artbooks and manuals of WC1 and 2. We all had our fav pictures, but for me it was always between Samwise and Metzen's name in the corner I had picked my favorites from. Not sure if you'll even see this comment but if you do, I hope you understand the impact on so many peoples creativity. It saddens me to think that I won't see that little squiggle in the corner anymore for any blizz art, but it'll make me happy thinking your getting to live for yourself. But also we don't have to give you up... I just subscribed!

I know you're great because you did that with a mere 6-7 layers. :D I'll always remember that one Dark Archon concept I found by you. Thanks for all the great art over the years. I wish you the best!

Age is but a number, Samwise. Take care of yourself, visit the doc regularly, and do what you love to do, around the people you love being around. Thank you for all of your years at Blizzard and the wonderful art and design we fans have been able to enjoy. I hope we will continue seeing your wonderful works for many years to come!

Hey Sam, appreciate your years at blizzard and I appreciate your time put into these awesome videos. Your fireside chats are a staple to my morning coffees before I start my day. Thinking about legacies and what one leaves behind, yours is one to look up to... Not only will your viewers and fans mimic your art style(like I do with my ABCs nightly), your lasting legacy will be one to mimic as well. Here's to many more awesome videos and years of fulfillment for ya! As I sip my Buoy IPA in Portland OR, thank you dude, you're fucking awesome. Cheers. - Jordan

You have no idea how much you inspired me and so many others through your art, Sam. It’s sad, but as they say, all good things eventually have to come to an end. I hope this new chapter in life is what you need to have peace of mind. Lots of hugs!

Samwise you are the reason I started drawing back in 2002! Love from Turkey, You are a living legend

I grew up playing Starcraft 1/BW and Warcraft 2. Your art was a key part of what got me interested in drawing for myself. Onto the grumbling; I didn't much care for the shift to a more exaggerated art style with Warcraft 3 and later. The pulpy feel of that mid-to-late 90s material was core to what made me enjoy the older Blizzard games back in the day. I wish you luck with your future endeavors, Samwise, but Blizzard lost my faith a long while ago.

I'm getting back into art after like 10 years (30 y/o now). Basically due to the same mindset of "what do I wanna work on" Didn't know you had a youtube channel, but I instantly subbed. Really dope to see a Blizzard legend do art.

I came to the same realization as you did after my 6 month old son and my dad passed away. I felt like life was too short so I had to chase my own dreams which got me to apply to school. To pursue art

the default loading screen for custom scenarios on warcraft 3 is one of the most memorable piece of souvenir of my youth, thank you for that

Your art really, really made Blizzard games into what they were. I always felt like you were the secret ingredient to Blizzard's success.

Good lord, it's crazy to think about how much your work has influenced and entertained me over the years. From a spotty tween to now. I'll always thank you for creating these great, larger-than-life, vivid characters and places. I've been following you over on Sons of the Storm group (and before that, the website) which was where I got the news. Good luck in your new works!

I really enjoyed your Timelapse, I’ve never seen someone bring the levels down so frequently to carve out the focal points and silhouette and it works so well. Thank you for defining blizzards art!

This is priceless, Sammy. Thank you for sharing. Blizzard has been a huge part of my life and The Sammy Era of WoW will always be my favorite, including ETC⚡️. Your solo projects have been amongst my favorites, as well. Thank you for your art. Looking forward to the future. Hail and ABC 🍻

Sam, i grew playing Warcraft and Starcraft since i was young as i grew with Bethesda's TES and Interplay's Fallout, both for 4 for me are still the most fond games i have til this day, but warcraft and starcraft are still on the top of the list tied as my best. i will always miss yours and Metzen's art carrying the game all the way til vanilla WoW, even the RPG books. There is something on the old art that no matter how i feel about blizzard right now, it always brings me back to that period. May your future now that you left blizzard shines twice and many opportunities comes from it for you and your family.

i had so much to say but i will simply say Thank you for everything you have done. as one of the Wow / Starcraft veteran i remember the days when you were screaming "For the HORDE " :) Good old days, i can't believe time passed that fast. Keep your good work going on Sam, You're one of the Best.

Man, I love your art! Especially ogres, trolls and essentially all of them! :D The art style is what drew me into the Warcraft in the first place - undeniably charm with an aura of mystery, danger and yet an inviting urge to embrace it! Just INCREDIBLE!

Sad to see you go, you and Metzen have always felt like the heart and soul of Blizzard to an outsider, or at least it's voice and look(?). Hope you have a great future and hope I still get to see something you've worked on in Warcrafts future.

Sam, you and your art were always an inspiration to me. I grew with Blizzard franchises, and to be fair they made huge impact on my life, moreso than you'd expect. Your art was one of the things that made me puruse artistic education, and though I ended up as an architect - you were a big part of it! Thank you, for everything and good luck on your path!

I can remember trying to draw characters from the WarCraft 2 instruction manual and other Blizzard games when I first got into gaming. Always loved the Blizzard artwork from you and Metzen.

The Blizzcon before pandaria was shown my mom and I mentioned to you about how she made higher quality stuffed bears. She made a panda based on one of the drawings you did years ago. Recall being told to bring it to the next blizzcon. Sad part is my mother died 2 years ago from Cancer. (She was already diagnosed when we went to blizzcon) I still have the panda she made. Anyhow, thanks for the memories and I look forward to what is next.

Always loved your art since WC3. Loading screens/backgrounds were if not always, almost always yours. Til this day, your name was the first Blizzard OG I never forgot. Enjoy the retirement!

I still remember the first time i logged in a warcraft 3 game in 2002, hearing the battle portal rushing up, the screen changing to the booty bay map, and the ambient distant thunders on the soundtrack while seeing your orc warrior drawing, with his axe in hand and screaming on the loading screen. you have made me an impression that has literally lasted a lifetime dude, didnt even know this channel existed until today. whatever you plan to put here, you got yourself an instant sub

Youve shaped my own taste in art and fantasy over my entire loge (31). It may have felt like you were just working for the company on what they wanted but your contribution meant the world to me. Massive respect and I cant wait to see what worlds you create next!

Yes, I bet everyone would like to see more of your art come alive. Good luck on your future endeavors!

Thank you for this video. You and Chris Metzen have always been the ones I've kind of seen as....the talent. Not that there aren't other amazing creators at Blizzard!

I had only just found your channel a few weeks ago, stoked to go through and see some videos! But wow, you are an absolute legend. Drawing took the backseat for me, though I'm starting up again recently. Your little comment about "Create your own worlds" rings to loud to me, I've been world-building my own for about 20 years now but only in the past year or so have I actually put a lot more focus into it. Creating is one of the great joys in life and I'd like to say you (along with Metzen as well) have been such a great inspiration over the years. I'm glad I found this channel, can't wait to see what else you end up sharing :)

I had no idea you had a channel my man, dude i used to sneak into the school library to look at your art work every lunch period. Thanks so much for making great art work. Top shelf friend.

Good luck in your future endeavors Samwise! Your signature next to blizzard artwork is iconic, and always made me feel like what I was looking at was “legit”!

As someone who literally grew up with your artwork via Blizzard's games starting in the mid-to-late 90ies all I want to say is: thank you - from the bottom of my heart for all the wonderful worlds and characters you created in all that time. I wish you all the best for your future endeavors. You are a true legend! :)

I'm an artist from Venezuela with 30 years old, since I played warcraf 3 I was always fascinated with the art of the game, I started to follow your work a lot since then, you have been a great inspiration, and I still need a lot to improve and maybe get to work like you in some company drawing art, I still try to improve my drawings to reach a professional level. My father also passed away a few years ago, and I understand a little bit your situation, I think the best thing we can do is to keep living our lives and give it all without thinking too much about the end, avoid that feeling of emptiness in the stomach for thinking about how much we have left or not. I hope you are in good health and that you can even be with us many more years than you think you have left, your art has not only created Blizzard universes, it has inspired many others and I hope you can continue doing what you like! ^^ Thanks for everything!

Wishing you happy trails, Sam. May your years be plenty and your troubles be few.

i grew up with warcraft 3 and loved all of your artwork, your style is legendary, thank you

Growing up with blizzard, I have so many fond memories. They haunt me like echoes of the past. I find myself older and struggle to find magic I used to feel. I’m glad you found your passion and are forging your own path through the bamboo forests. I hope I find my passion before I die.

Damn... Not something I was expecting to hear at all, but I suppose we have to move on in life at some point or another. Either way, I am happy for you, Sam. You've done so much to help bring Warcraft, Starcraft and Diablo to life with your artwork, and you will always be the guy I think of, when I look back at the concept and art style. I wish you all the best in your future, but as always, I look forward to the next project you bring out to share with us, be it art for games, music or books. You my friend, are immortalized. Hail to the Panda King!

I was a kid growing up playing the Warcraft games. I’m now 33 and still fascinated by the artwork contributed then. I had aspirations to be an artist like you and drew images inspired by your work. I had always wondered if you were the main catalyst behind every piece of art that had gone into the games movie and books. Your name is legend in the Blizzard ecosystem, you could feel the love behind every piece of creation you made. From the bottom of my heart thank you for giving me the best childhood I could have ever asked for!

Thanks for the update Samwise. You have been one of my art heroes since I first played Warcraft 1 back in 1994! And when I first learned that you and Metzen were the main artists for it. The game captivated me as a kid. And I still have the Warcraft 1 manual as a prized possession, with all of the very cool art sketches of the units and buildings. And it still inspires me today. I have drawn pictures of your pictures (artwork) for other people lol. And I'm currently a hobbyist indie game developer as well, working on my own RTS game. Inspired by the original Warcraft RTS games of course. 😀 Blizzard will definitely not be the same without you. And any Blizzard project where you were not intimately involved was never quite as good, and that's an understatement. I wish you the best, and I hope you never stop creating. Even though I'm sad to hear you are retiring from Blizzard. I totally understand. Thank you!

Wherever you go, my eyes will always follow your art and your person... I grew up with your style and everything... Best of luck with everything going forward.

I remember the old spells or mechanics on warcraft 3 that had no icon, instead theres was this dude smiling. I looked it up and it was you! Gets me everytime. Thank you for the years man!

Btw Pandarens and MoP are by far my favorite things about the whole WoW!

You are in my artistic Olympus of inspirations I wish you the best for your future and looking forward to see more epic art!

I'm not an artist or anything, but I've been enjoying Blizzard games since I was a kid in the 90s. You've always been one of the heroes of the storm, right up there with Chris Metzen. I like the Blizzard of today, but I Loved the Blizzard of yesteryear. Seeing you and the other guys perform as ETC at BlizzCon was great. I think Chris sang Sweet Home Alabama once? Seeing almost all of the old titans leave Blizzard in recent years is sad. I understand that you gotta move on sometime, and life does go on. But what you guys and gals created for decades over in Anaheim was pure magic. Thank you, and good luck!

Thank you for posting this and sharing info with your fans that you were under no obligation to. Typically someone leaves a company and people are just left to speculate and remain puzzled. It's nice to know the actual reason for a change. Respect! (And awesome Pandaren drawing too)

Your art has always been my desktop background since the 90s!

One of my favorite parts of Blizzcon was taking a photo with you each year I was able to attend. You were always a big part of Blizzard to me growing up, but I hope for nothing but the best for you man!

Sam it was an incredible honor to meet you in Building 15! Thank you so much for just being an incredible human. Love your books and art and will always remember how cool you were meeting my Mom in the lobby! You have indeed inspired us both to ABC! Can't wait to see what you do next. 🤘

Woooo! My favorite Blizzard artist got a KZfaq and this is how I find out, by hearing he left Blizzard! 15 seconds in and I am already on an emotional rollercoaster!

The reveal is in the opening: ‘retired’ And retiring early is the ultimate win in life.

Sam, you've always been my prime inspiration for art and drawing since the beginning. I've been doing art for over 20 years now, and still and not even a fraction of your skill. God's speed, friend. And Blood and Thunder - ABC.

Yoooo the guy from the wc3 editor!!! Always wondered who the guy behind that error icon was, as a kid.

I love you art man. I have all the art books from blizz with your stuff in it. Thanks for all, and good luck.

A few years ago I got a pair of sneakers I really dug. When they started to fall apart after about 5 years I thought maybe I should just buy a whole bunch of these to last the rest of my life now. So I calculated, being around 40 at the time, that if I live till I’m 80, and the shoes last 5 years a pair, I need to get 8 pairs. And it quite quickly struck me that I have 8 pairs of shoes worth of life left. It was quite sobering. I could tell you that it made me turn my life around and do something with it worth remembering, but no, I just continue to live an unremarkable life 😂 I ran across this post because I’m compiling resources for my daughter who wants to get into illustration/animation one day. I don’t really follow any of the background goings on of Blizzard, I’m familiar with only a couple/few of the biggest names associated with it. Your name is one of them. I hope you have 40 or 50 more good years of life and creativity, and many more pairs of shoes. 👟👟

Proud owner of the SC2 artbooks. Worth every penny, especially the _Wings of Liberty_ book. Art will forever outlive fidelity.

I just hope you keep bringing us things as awesome as the Pandaren, wherever your future path takes you.

Yep, that's the ultimate pain. All the things you create belong to the mega-corporation at the end of the day. Glad you're on your own path now. If you ever need my aid, you have my pen. ;)

I grew up with your art. It tells immersive stories that would keep my imagination running wild. Good luck!

Came to this video expecting one thing, got something different, leaving with something even more different. It can be described by two words - PEACE and HOPE. I HOPE that one day my children, or at least my grandchildren, will be able to live the same type of PEACEFUL life you have, from birth to death - just doing things they are passionate about, creating something, building a family, being confident that there *is* tomorrow and they *will* grow old and *will* get to do other things. It's comforting to know that at least somewhere on this planet such a life in total PEACE is actually possible - gives me HOPE for the future generations. Apologies to everyone who finds this comment out of place - I think this is *exactly* the place, as this is the only video in years that has prompted these thoughts and they overshadow everything else.

Hi Samwise. I really like the illustrations and power of the Horde song for Warcraft 3. You with your art and drawings and the end song, other Blizzard developers with music, programing levels and writing the story really created the best game in Warcraft rts franchise. Warcraft 3 is my childhood game. Thank you for creating the game.

Looking forward to seeing your next world Samwise after playing in them for years! Cheers!

Thank you for all the awesome art and inspiration, always been a huge fan of yours starting way back in wc2 when i was first hooked into blizzard. I wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors

Hey Sam. For whatever it's worth, your legacy is already insane. Any game that is imitating Blizzard is by extension imitating YOUR style. You're like the first person to come up with the Egyptian hieroglyphs and a thousand years from now people will still be using your visual language to communicate their ideas. While Warcraft, StarCraft and Diablo are collaborative projects, they are still yours - even though company politics and whatnot can make you feel it like your contribution isn't that big. I think it's fair to say that yours is THE most influential art style in that entire studio - and outside of it. One day when you're done with your travels, brewed your own brand of beer and expelled your fear of missing out - you may feel a sense of longing. When and IF that day arrives, remember that it's natural for an old master to teach the young cubs. You are now unshackled. May your awesomeness grow in fractals. Whatever path you have in front of you - me and a lot of other people would love to hear of your journey. Please keep telling your tales and making dope art.

You participated in the golden years of Blizzard and shaped the look of things we loved in their products. I think this is a well deserved departure.

Love you, Sam, the games just won't be the same, regardless of how much you had stepped back from the spotlight in recent years. My buds and I still consider your work on Heroes of the Storm to be the absolute pinnacle of Blizzard art direction.

Dude, been playing since 07’ started playing in Iraq. Medically retired from the military in 2015. Used my GI bill and went to the Art Institute for media arts and animation. I think I applied to over 50 entry level jobs at blizzard, internships. Even jobs in network security with 12 years real world experience and always got looked over for that 18-20 year old. I still play but I was a little disappointed. But I got into the movie industry and loved the Warcraft movie. I worked with Ben Foster on a film and we talked for a few hours about it. I was like “It’s Medivh!” Loved your work man! Keep inspiring!

Wrath and Mists of Pandaria were my favorite Wow expansions. Mists of Pandaria was my favorite expansion because of the atmosphere and the art. They hit the Eastern theme out of the park! I find it fitting that he is doing a panda.

I DECREE THAT SAMWISE THE GREAT WILL LIVE FOR ANOTHER HUNDRED YEARS OR MORE AND BECOME LORD EMPORER OF ALL VIKING PANDAS AND DWARVES WORLD WIDE! 👑🍀🕊💚⚔🛡🍻LONG LIVE THE KING!

Dude, the most influential art I've seen in my childhood was your sketch of Illidan in WarCraft 3, the one holding its blade and fire on his other hand. I totally loved your concept and thats what skyrocketed my love for art. Now I'm 31, working on games, but pushing to get to blizzard and draw for either Hearthstone or work for World of Warcraft! Thanks for everything, and I'm more than excited to see what you come up with in your art style. I just love it!

Your work as you call it, is literal magic. We are nigh the same age I your senior by a couple, few people have captured my mind for so long. I thank you and also agree with the life story you share in this upload. I wish you success and peace moving forward.🤩🤗

Thank you for giving the idea for Mists, it is still my favorite expansion. That art was so beautiful! Best of luck, and thank you for everything you did at Blizzard. I know everyone there will miss you. Keep on trucking, as we used to say!

A couple of months ago I HAD to check if you were with Blizzard still. Was happy to see you still were. Hearing this though, I'm sad to hear about your father. Such is life. The ebbs and flows, and what I love about what you learned from it is, "what do I want to do for me?" Most don't learn those kinds of lessons from death while I view death as the greatest teacher for it has taught the most important lessons about how I want to live. Since my teens Thanks for sharing your thought process and reasons. Enjoy your future adventures! Love

Sammy you are my idol since I was 10 years old and played starcraft 1 and later on warcraft 3 (and so on)

You're only a year older than me, and I started WoW back in mid-vanilla somewhere. I've also recently sat back and wondered what I was going to do with myself... and I've also decided to walk away from the 'cube life' (admittedly my job was doing technical manuals rather than anything fun) and devoting my time to my art. So I hear you, and I totally understand. Best journeys out there.

Hey Sam, for some reason youtube blessed me with showing you that you had a youtube channel! :D, just wanted to say that i've loved your art since the very first time i started playing warcraft, back in warcraft 3, reign of chaos :D I'm gonna miss your placeholder icon quite a lot, as a part of the exploration community in WoW, we see that icon more than the average player, and we've grown quite fond of it. But we will forever be grateful for you art

I loved your art in the Warcraft 2 manual.

Thanks for the video. Your art has been fundamental to the style & aesthetic of some of my favorite games. Even to this day, as I continue to mod Warcraft 3 (~20 years on! *shudder*), I find myself trying to create things that recapture the magic of seeing your art for the first time as a kid. You are the man; good luck in all you do!