Photo via: Kelly Crisler
Amiah Crisler brought her artistic skills and Black girl magic to the Syracuse News Times 28th Annual Street Painting Festival. While there, the 11-year-old drew an impressive abstract picture of a dog for the festival’s street painting competition and took home first place for her age group, as well as the people’s choice award.
This marks the second year in a row that Amiah has won the competition, as she also placed first last year for her peacock illustration. Before this year’s competition, Amiah, who usually uses oils and acrylic paints, practiced her dog drawing at home.
Photo credit: Dylan Suttles
The extra practice clearly paid off as she not only won the competition but wowed thousands on the internet with her incredible talent. Amiah’s mother, Kelly Crisle, shared her daughter’s creative process on Facebook. It took her five hours to complete but she listened to music to keep her focused, telling Syracuse.com, “I always listen to Kidz Bop when I do my work. It’s one of my favorite things to do. It’s really calming.”
Check out the photos below and see Amiah’s masterpiece unfold right before your eyes.
Photo via: Kelly Crisler
Photo via: Kelly Crisler
Photo via: Kelly Crisler
Photo via: Kelly Crisler
Photo via: Kelly Crisler
Photo via: Kelly Crisler
Photo via: Kelly Crisler
Photo via: Kelly Crisler
“I really wanted people to see my artwork,” Amiah said. “I want younger kids to explore their natural talents…I believe every house deserves art.”
To master her craft, Amiah takes classes at Shades of Orange Art Studio; she also practices her favorite subject of art at Ed Smith School. The future artist also has interests in becoming an obstetrician-gynecologist one day and opening her own store called “Arty Things.”
Check out more of Amiah’s work here.