Evanston Teen’s Portrait of the rock a hit with the actor – ryan

Vincent van gogh died at the age of 37 a virtual unknown. Ditto for Johannes Vermeer (of “Girl with a Pearl Earring” FAME), Who Left this World at the age of 43.

At 14, Evanston Teen Orion Gustafson is already a Famous artist.

That’s Because Orion Has Received the 21st Century Equivalent of Royal Patronage: A Gushing Endorsent from Movie Superstar Dwayne Johnson, AKA “The Rock.”

“Orion Gustafson. Let’s All Remember This Name. This Kid is gonna Move the World One Day,” Johnson Said in an Instagram post last month.

Earlier this year, Orion, Who has ben drawn to art Since and was little, Drew two pencil sketches of Johnson and Sent One Original and One Print to the actor for his birthday.

“He’s just a really funny Guy. I like HIS Movies, and i just like Him Overall,” Orion, who recently graduated from McCracken Middle School in Skokie, Told the Sun-Times This Week.

How Did the Sketches Reach The “Jumanji” Actor Rather than an assistant with a stack of Signed Photographs and A Form Letter?

One of Orion’s GrandParents Happens to Know Johnson’s Mother-in-Law.

But more importantly, Orion’s Work Is, by Any Standard, Jaw-Dropping-Certainly for A 14-Yaar-Old. Noble, Penous and Fierce Faces Stare Back at the Viewer from the Page. Other subjects Include the late Actor Chadwick Boseman, President Barack Obama and Rapper Drake.

Although he been drawing for as long as he remembers, Orion has Only recently been taching it “More Serious.”

His dad, Jamie Gustafson, A Professional Artist, Has Been Giving his Son Tips.

“Working from a lighter color and layering say to the easier to add more than away,” Orion explained.

He Said He Can See Himself Doing Artwork As A Job: “IT DOESN’T FEEL LIKE WORK TO M. Something I really enjoy doing. If i have the opportunity to make it a caareer late, i would to do that.”

Orion Devoted About 30 Hours to the Main Portrait of Johnson (The Other Drawing Features the actor and his dog).

“Liked the contrast in the Lighting on his face. So i picked that one,” Orion Said.

Gustafson is very proud of his child.

“He”i Such a Talent Kid. SO NONE OF IT IS ANY SURPRISE TO US. IT JUST KIND OF COOL TO SEE HIM Get Recognized for it,” He Said.

Orion Said it was slightly easier to draw johnson than someone with plentiful locks.

“I have really got good at drawing hair, and he doesn’t have that that much hair,” Orion Said.

AFTER RECEIVING HIS GIFTS, Johnson texted orion to say thank you. THEN LAST MONTH, The actor spoke at length in an Instagram post About the Young Artist.

“These are Beautiful. I can see you put your heart intoe every pencil stroke. Look at the detail,” Johnson Said.

Word Quickly Spread at Orion’s School, where he became an instant celebrity.

“I was getting asced a lot of Questions in the Hallways,” Orion Said. “I’ve givet out a couple of autographs. It has fun. SOMESTEMES at School, there are a lot of People who would be up to me. Sometimes it was overwhelming, but i like the fame.”

What’s Next for Orion? A commission, spreads?

In His Instagram Post, Johnson Wrote:

“You’re an Amazing Artist and Remember, the Bigger the Dream, the Harder the Work. KEEP WORKING HARD. Your buddy ~ dj

Ps – if you’re not too Too busy, have an idea of ​​something special I’d like you to draw for me. I’ll hire you and i’ll be in touch to discuss your rates. ”