My assigned themes for this project were:

- caves

- desolate

- birds

This project has been the most challenging project out of anything I've ever made so far, and it's honestly caused me so much stress, but at the same time I did have a lot of fun with it as well. I've learned so much not only about Blender, but also about myself. That is kind of what this cube world is about. Caves represent more than just underground mazes of rocks. Caves represent being or feeling lost, exploring, darkness, etc. This cave is a represntation of what feeling stuck mentally is like. Not knowing what to do, spending way too much time in your head, overthinking everything, not enjoying things like you would want to. That light inside you feels like it's locked away as darker thoughts take over. The light in this cube world is represented as the caged white dove, that gives off a bright light. I chose a white dove because they represent peace, and when you're not at peace with yourself from the inside, that white dove is locked away. The black birds represent dark thoughts that are picking at the brain one at a time, attacking it. Everything feels cold and dark, like the dead tree and the cold soil. The nerves that come off the brain act as a guidance. Originally I wanted to put a character in this scene that would follow the nerve system in search for the light, but it was a bit too ambitious in the end. 

I chose to go with a more personal theme because I felt it would be really important with this assignment. Blender is a very new program for me and I can definitely struggle a lot when I don't understand things or how they work. With that, this assignment has definitely felt like a mental cave and it's been one hell of a rollercoaster ride. Before I came to this theme, I had a very different direction. I wanted to do something about Egypt, but I quickly got stuck with that plan which is when I decided to restart, with the advice of my mentor. 

I am really sorry I have to show my project like this. I've worked very hard on it, but I can't get sketchfab to work and rendering isn't working right now either. I don't know the issue, and quite frankly I don't have the patience or time anymore to figure it out. 

With that being said, I am very happy with how my project turned out. I think it became better than I could've dared to imagine, and in that regard I am proud of myself that I never gave up.

I wish I could show more and I wish everything would have worked out (in time), but this has been my project. It's not perfect, but I'm still happy with it despite the setbacks. I've definitely put my heart into it, that's for sure.  

I hope you enjoyed it!