Eyes on art prize

Student artist, 12, takes second place in statewide contest honoring King.It took Tanner Grandstaff all of 20 minutes to create an award-winning drawing.

The 12-year-old Newport Beach artist sat in his living room one night after school late last year and crafted a portrait of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The finished product won him second place among fifth- and sixth-graders in a contest open to all of California’s elementary school students.

Sen. Barbara Boxer’s office sponsored the contest, which asked the young artists to draw a picture illustrating the late civil rights leader.

Tanner, a sixth-grade student at Eastbluff Elementary School, found out that he was a finalist in his age group when his teacher notified the entire class in early January. A representative from Boxer’s office had called the school earlier with the news.

“I was very excited,” Tanner said. “Since we have the holiday, it’s cool to do something in honor of him [King].”

Tanner said he regularly fits in drawing time before he goes to school and after finishing his homework. He is interested in working in the animation industry and often draws cartoon characters.

This was a different type of assignment. Tanner looked at a number of images of King on the Internet before deciding on a pensive-looking profile.

Tanner’s mother, Tina Grandstaff, said she was amazed her son finished the drawing in such a short amount of time. She said Tanner’s father, Bob Grandstaff, was equally impressed.

“I can look at something and do it as quickly as I want,” Tanner said. “I didn’t try to rush.”

Tanner’s mother said artistic talent runs in the family, but her son is the first in recent memory to put it to use.

“This really made us realize that he’s a neat artist,” she said.

Added Newport Beach Police Capt. Tim Newman, who is a friend of Tanner’s mother: “He was very proud. What kid wouldn’t be excited about that type of recognition?”

The award-winning drawings can be found at boxer.senate.gov/ mlk/posters.cfm.

* ELIA POWERS is the enterprise and general assignment reporter. He may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or by e-mail at elia.powers@latimes.com.

20060117it7pvwncDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)Tanner Grandstaff displays his award-winning portrait of Martin Luther King Jr., which he sketched in 20 minutes.