Portraits of power

Zhoriél Tapo

Tyler is a 15-year-old artist from San Jose,California,who has overcome many challenges.“When I was born,the doctors told my mom that if I did survive,I would have lots of health problems,that I wouldn't be able to see or hear,and that I'd be severely mentally delayed,”Tyler told me during a recent interview.“Boy,they were wrong!”

A series of dreams inspired Tyler to start painting.One night,he recalled,he had a dream in which a man told him he could paint.“The next night,I had the exact same dream.But this time,he told me that if I didn't use my talent,he would take it away.”

Tyler's first portrait painting was of his school's principal.It took him only 17 minutes to complete.Since then,Tyler has painted a lot.We Can:Portraits of Power includes many of the people he looks up to.It was released（發行）on September 28,2021.

“It was fun to put them into one book,so that they can keep inspiring others,”Tyler said.Tyler hopes that anyone who reads his book will be moved to follow their own dreams.“Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it,”he said.

Tyler believes the support he has received from his family helps him achieve so much at a young age.“They have always helped me when it comes to my art,”he said.Tyler's book is a gift for so many people.People he'll never meet are going to be touched by the work he does.

Reading Check

1.Who was Tyler's first portrait painting of?

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2.What can be learned from Tyler's experience?

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