Final answer:
Riley's imagination aids in dealing with life's challenges by reconciling fantastical childhood fears with realistic adult aspirations, and through her art, she explores and copes with the world in a unique way.
Step-by-step explanation:
Riley's imagination is a powerful tool that helps her cope with various life situations by allowing her to have a more realistic and less fantasy-based view of life. As individuals grow, they transition from fearing the monster under the bed to confronting real-world concerns such as scary media events. Rather than aspiring to become something purely fantastical like a wizard, with maturity, one might dream of becoming an engineer or another profession grounded in reality. Riley uses her creativity and imagination to explore different art styles and incorporates vibrant colors and patterns into her work, inspired by nature's dynamism rather than its literal appearance. This creative process reflects a method of coping and understanding the world around her, demonstrating how imagination can both ground us in reality and provide an escape that fosters resilience and personal growth.