by Jesse Florea

“Prodigy. One in a million. A phenomena. A wonder child.”

That’s what CNN news said during a worldwide broadcast about Andy Holmes . . . when he was 8 years old.

Last year Andy traveled from his home in Allen, Texas, to New York City to appear on the “Rosie O’Donnell Show” where he taught Rosie how to draw his dog character in front of millions of viewers. And at the end of the segment, Rosie said: “You’re a phenomenally talented artist, and I hope you never stop drawing.”

To which Andy replied, “I won’t.”

Colorful Future
Before Andy could speak in full sentences, he could draw.

“I guess it’s always been a part of me that God made,” he says, “kind of like having red hair and blue eyes.”

His talent was recognized at a young age.

When he was 6, he was disqualified from a school art contest because the judges didn’t believe he drew his picture.

He did, of course.

At 7, he claimed second place in a contest and earned free tickets to the musical “Cats.” A year later he took first in a national art contest and an all-expense paid trip to Disneyland for his family.

Andy had his artwork appear in National Geographic World magazine when he was 8, and three years later National Geographic World printed an interview with him. That same year, he started drawing on a cardboard box in a department store and a crowd of people gathered around to watch.

“I just acted like nobody was there and kept drawing, so I wouldn’t get nervous,” Andy says.

Andy has gathered a scrapbook full of newspaper clippings from around the U.S. In 1998, he won first place in an art contest. Plus, he showed his artwork and demonstrated his drawing abilities at the 90th anniversary of a local department store. This fall he’ll take part in his third Bob Phillips Productions annual festival—a local gathering of Texas talent.

Clubhouse has even featured his art—just look at the first story in the August 1998 magazine, “Brother Trouble.” Andy’s work was so impressive that Clubhouse just had to sit down and talk with this incredible illustrator.

Clubhouse: When did you start drawing?

Andy: Before I was 2, I drew a picture of an Easter bunny for a friend. I just thought, Wow, this is fun! Soon I’d draw a whole page of arms and legs, then a whole page of dolphins or owls or whatever.

A couple of days ago I was getting ready to go to bed, when all of a sudden I ran over to the studio and grabbed a piece of paper and a pen. I just had to draw. I didn’t know what, but I knew I had to draw. I ended up doodling all over the page.

How do you come up with characters?

I usually come up with characters when I’m doodling. I’ll invent a rough version of some character. Then if I like it, I’ll work with it. Right now I really like drawing kids in a cartoony, real style.

Where do you think your talent came from?

I think it’s a gift from God. Ever since I can remember, I’ve had it. It’s weird because people are always like, “Wow.” And I’m like, “I was going to throw that away. Do you want it?”

Eventually, I’d like to do animated Christian movies, because that’s the way you can reach people. But if I do something, I don’t want it to have a Bible title. I want something that will cross over and be sold in Wal-Mart, but still with a Christian message . . . kind of like “Veggie Tales.”

Talk about your relationship with God.

When I was 7, I accepted Jesus in my heart. A week or two later I was baptized at a fish fry. Up until a couple years ago I was mainly drawing for fun, now I’m trying to use my talent in Christian things.

What advice do you give kids to improve their drawing?

Practice, practice, practice. Whatever you’re good at, just keep doing it over and over. Everybody has a talent. My sister, Hannah, is really dramatic. She’d be good on Broadway. If you’re good at sports like baseball or soccer, don’t be depressed. Professional athletes are some of the best paid people on the planet. Just use whatever God gives you.

What other stuff do you like besides drawing?

I like to make movies. So far I’ve made 100 to 200 that are between 10 seconds and 5 minutes. Now I’m really excited that I have a Super 8 movie camera, editing machine and projector, so I can do stop-action animation.

I started home schooling halfway through third grade. I swim almost everyday, and I’m learning to golf.

How do you like home schooling?

I love being home-schooled. The best part is I can go at my own speed. If I get everything done in the morning, then I can draw, make a movie or swim. I don’t go to school 7 hours a day, do homework and go to bed. There’s more flexibility. Plus, when I won the contest for $2,500, my mom got an additional $500 because she’s my teacher.

How many contests have you won?

I’ve lost count of how many I’ve entered, but I’ve only won five or six. When I don’t win, I think, Oh, well. I’ll enter another contest. If I continue entering contests, then I figure I’ve got to win eventually. It’s just fun entering the contest and waiting to get something in the mail that says if I won or not.

Do your friends get jealous of your fame?

I wouldn’t say I’m famous, but the time CNN employees came with their big camera and photographed me in school, all the kids said, “Andy is famous. Andy is famous,” when they left. My good friends don’t think it’s a big deal. They think it’s cool, then we go play in the creek. We don’t talk about it a lot.

What are you thankful for?

I have a fun life. I’m home-schooled, and my sister and I don’t fight a lot. Plus, I’m thankful that I’m going to be in Clubhouse magazine.

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