Theodis Keith Washington IV is no ordinary student. He is an extraordinary artist who likes to draw and be creative. He is considered eccentric by some because he runs through the halls to his classes. Other times he perches in the sunny upstairs hallway outside of the art room, drawing in his sketch book. Here’s a peek behind the scenes with Theodis Washington.
Q: Everyone knows that you run to class. Why?
A: I run to class because once I go to class, I also have other things to do, so it’s a spare time in between.
Q: So what’s the difference if you walk to class or run?
A: The difference is the time it takes me to get from one house to another. If I run, the time limit in between is less.
Q: What do you do as an athlete? Are you a runner?
A: Yes. I run track, mainly cross country.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I like to draw while listening to music most comfortably anywhere at home.
Q: How did the passion for drawing come about?
A: My mom taught me when I was 6; she was a former artist.
Q: Where and how do you get inspired to draw?
A: I get inspired from animated books, lots of action movies, cartoons, TV shows and life.
Q: What extraordinary work have you done?
A: I made a yellow, blue and red batik art piece of an angel. I keep it at my house in my art portfolio.
Q: What is batik?
A: Batik is a process of using wax and primary colors on cloth to create a design.
Q What inspired you to do this?
A: I was motivated because at that time, I thought of angels and I thought it was a good subject.
Q: What artwork would you like to do?
A: A drawing of my life composed in stages of how I get older. Sequences of my life would be next to my drawings I have either made or haven’t drawn yet.
Q: What school do you want to attend?
A: College for Creative Studies (in Detroit). I have applied but not yet admitted.
Q: What do you want to study?
A: Graphic novel illustrations. I would like to place my artwork in books, stories and games.
Q: Are you into animation?
A: I’m not into it yet, but I could be soon.
Q: Has any professional seen your drawings?
A: No, but college professors have from College for Creative Studies, Pratt Institute New York and Ontario College of Art and Design, in Canada.
Q: Tell us something that most people don’t know about you.
A: People think I’m anti-social because I just talk to particular friends. I’m not anti-social. I like to help people out in any situation.