When he returns, Kris is interested in pursuing an art degree, either in fine art or illustration. Having gone through AP Studio Art at Timpview High School, Provo, Utah, was extremely beneficial. "It forced me to create a portfolio with breadth, and the Concentration helped me stay focused and further develop my drawings. It requires you to get a lot done and to do high-quality work."

Kris has a strong foundation on which to expand his artistic talents. He took some art classes as a child and then began "formal" study in 7th grade. In his junior year, he completed the AP General Portfolio and in his senior year it was the Drawing Portfolio. For Kris, "art is an outlet for my bizarre ideas." Led by AP teacher Dan Barney, Timpview’s art program provided a good environment for Kris and many other students: of the approximately 30 students in the senior class, about 27 submitted AP portfolios for evaluation.

This particular piece was inspired by his cousin, Jethro, who has his own band. "He’s an interesting person; he’s quiet and hard to understand and looks like an ominous figure, but he’s not when you get to know him. I wanted to put that on paper." To do so, Kris used pastels to get a rough image first. Then he used water color, and finished off the piece with pen and ink for a mixed media effect.

Before taking AP, Kris says he did art for fun. Once he got involved with AP, "I took it more seriously -- in part because of my teacher -- and began thinking that I could actually go somewhere with it. That it was more than just a hobby. Being in AP Studio Art opens your eyes." Spending two years in Chile is sure to be another eye-opener for Kris, and a wonderful way to broaden his artistic experience and talents.