Kai Samuel, a senior at Marco Island Academy, is a dedicated artist whose love for drawing andstorytelling has shaped her into the artist she is today. Growing up surrounded by cartoons, comic books, and movies, Kai found inspiration in the media that brought these characters and worlds to life. Her visits to the art museums sparked her passion for art.
Kai is mostly self-taught, though she’s taken several art classes in school and recently started working with a mentor to boost her portfolio further. Her style varies when it comes to her subjects that she draws; sometimes she goes for realism, like when she works on portraits, while other times she leans into a semi-realistic, cartoony look.
Her process usually starts with an idea that inspires her, then she finds references that perfectly emulate what idea she has in her head, and then once she finds the reference, she makes a light sketch. After, she slowly starts to add layers and details, moving from light to dark until the art piece feels complete. Kai usually listens to music or has something playing in the background while she works, which helps her to stay focused.
For Kai, art isn’t just a hobby; it’s her way of seeing the world. She describes it like a prism, reflecting people’s emotions, experiences, and imaginations. She believes art has the power to inspire and move people, depending on how people interpret her art or just art in general. Kai’s own work often explores themes like connection, shared experiences, and self-reflection. Through her art, she wants people to appreciate the importance of others in their lives and, at the same time, understand her a little better.
One of her biggest milestones came in her junior year, when she exhibited her portrait “Star Gazer” for the first time. More recently, she’s especially proud of a piece showing a woman staring at the camera as the wind blows her scarf around her face. That drawing showed her how much her skills and storytelling were improving.
Like many artists, Kai has faced challenges, especially with burnout. Sometimes the hardest part is finding the energy to keep creating. She’s learned to give herself breaks and focus on finishing projects instead of starting new ones too quickly. Even when things get tough, she keeps coming back to art because of how rewarding it feels to bring her ideas to life.
Looking towards the future, Kai hopes to branch into animation and storytelling, continuing to explore themes like friendship, growth, and communication. She wants her art to not only express her own ideas but also connect with others in a meaningful way. Her advice to other young artists is simple: “keep going, don’t let anyone tell you it doesn’t matter, don’t give up, the magic is real”. With her determination, imagination, and growth, Kai Samuel is an artist with a bright future ahead of her.
