SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Some people can produce fine pieces of art after months of work, but one artist can do it in seconds.
With millions of followers across social media, Trent Landreth has not only impressed with his talent but has also inspired families with loved ones on the spectrum.
Trent built his following by taking requests for certain pieces of art or drawing an idea from a bowl of rolled-up pieces of paper. He is unaware of what he will be asked to draw until seconds before his Sharpie hits paper.
“I’ve seen him do quite a few drawings, and it’s just amazing how it’s just like ‘can you do this and that’ and he just ‘boop boop boop’ and it’s done within seconds,” Rudy Navarrete said.
Trent is nonverbal and has severe autism; through his upbringing in church, he has learned to handle crowds of people and is now a source of inspiration for his fans.
“Being able to see him thrive in his life and be successful in the things he is doing gives those families hope, and that’s something we wish we would’ve had when he was very young,” Corey Landreth, Trent’s father, said.
He particularly excels in drawing animals; his father says it’s always been that way, even though he isn’t always a big fan of animals in person.
“Trent, in a lot of ways, is a mystery. Because he can’t communicate his thoughts or feelings or dreams or the reason why he does the thing he does, it’s very difficult for us. We really try not to project on him the feelings he might be feeling or thinking,” Landreth said.
At a Child’s Play Toys in downtown Sioux Falls, Trent got the chance to meet local fans who are on the spectrum, have relatives on the spectrum, or just appreciate his work.
“As a father of a son with autism, it resonated with me. Trent’s story is really cool; his ability and seeing his parents behind him in his court, supporting him and his drawing, is really cool, and I became super excited when I found out he was going to be this close to home,” Erik Nyhaug said.
“Both me and him are autistic. What I’ve learned is that it doesn’t matter what people think of your artwork; it matters if you’re having fun or not,” Cassie Holmes said.
Trent will be at the Denny Sanford Convention Center on Saturday for another meet-and-greet as part of the Novel Lattes Book Fair.
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