At the beginning of January, senior Thien Bui’s artwork made it’s debut across Arlington after winning the AISD Martin Luther King, Jr. drawing contest. His colored pencil drawing captures MLK’s stern profile, while also demonstrating Martin Luther King Jr. walking arm and arm with his followers. The theme, “Tough Minds, Tender Hearts,” inspired Bui’s drawing.

“I was inspired by the theme,” Bui said. “MLK was very tough, but his feeling was about peace and love.”

Bui won first place in the competition out of 500 entries from artists across AISD junior highs and high schools. Bui was inspired to enter the contest after his AP studio art teacher, Sarah Arditti, encouraged him.

“He’s obviously a very talented artist,” Arditti said. “I thought he could do well in the competition so I was happy to encourage him.”

Bui says he has always practiced art. As a child, he traced pictures and was always told he was good at it. The first person who comes to Bui’s mind when he thinks about inspiring artists is his 9th grade art teacher from Arizona who encouraged his love for art.

“I draw because it entertains me,” Bui said. “Drawing relaxes me and I feel calm and enjoyment.”

Charcoal, oil paints, colored pencils; no matter the medium, Bui has mastered it’s artistic capabilities. With nearly 1,000 Instagram followers, Bui has quite the following when it comes to his artwork. Besides paintings and drawings, Bui has recently added portraits to his portfolio.

“Lot’s of people ask me to draw them,” Bui said. “I usually don’t chose who to draw by their face, I draw based on character.”

Bui has even been commissioned to draw a portrait. Sophomore Taryn Cates paid Bui $100 to draw a picture of her family for a Christmas present for her grandmother. Despite the ability for Bui to make money off of this skill, he would like to keep art a hobby and will be pursuing a career as a pharmacist at UTA in the fall.

“Everyone can draw, you just have to be patient,” he said. “Art takes practice.”