Teen artist gets surprise call from VP-elect Kamala Harris
He's a 14-year-old aspiring painter who has a knack for creating masterpieces.
Recently, the California teen artist, Tyler Gordon, got a huge surprise after his stunning painting of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris made headlines across the country.
"I wanted to call to say thank you for that beautiful work you've done," VP-elect Harris told Tyler.
"When she called, I was in complete shock," Tyler said, looking back at the unexpected call from the VP-elect.
Tyler has been painting freestyle portraits for the last four years. His recent work includes portraits of the late civil rights icon John Lewis and those killed by police -- George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
"I express my feelings and my emotions into my art," Tyler explained.
But it was the portrait of the Vice President-elect that garnered Tyler worldwide attention.
"I'm just overwhelmed with just the magnificence... of your artistry... you really have a gift," VP-elect Harris told Tyler.
Tyler said he has admired VP-elect Harris for breaking barriers. Tyler says he grew up with a stutter, was considered deaf until he was six years old and was in a wheelchair for two years.
On top of that, Tyler says he also grew up getting teased and pushed around for his stutter.
"I used to get bullied a lot from my stutter," he explained.
Tyler recognizes that President-elect Joe Biden also stuttered growing up.
"He's not afraid to show his stutter and express his true self," Tyler said of the President-elect.
The 14-year-old art prodigy hopes to one day open his own art gallery.
"Just have my art all over the world," he added.
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