While most ninth graders are just trying their best to memorize the code to their lockers or pass tricky algebra tests, freshman Kai-Xavier Santos is busying himself in the world of art. From raw sketches in the back of a notebook to compositions that defy his age, he is practicing his craft every day.

“What makes me want to draw is mostly to show my work, it gives my mind a state of peace,” said Santos, who specializes in the classic, old-school animation technique known as rubber hose style, a foundational animation style that dominated American cartoons in the 1920s and 1930s. The defining feature of this style is the “rubber-hose limbs”: the elbows or knees move with a fluid, bendy motion. This iconic look is instantly recognizable on classic characters such as Mickey Mouse, Popeye the Sailor Man, and Betty Boop.

Driven by a vast spectrum of ideas, Santos often finds the spark for creation in music. “What inspires me most when doing art is music because when I listen to music it reaches my soul, giving me a moment of peace,” he said. “A happy energetic song can be a mask over something that is dark, almost like the song Hey Ya! by Outkast. It seems like a good vibe, but the lyrics are something else.”

As Santos progresses in his art journey, he wants to improve his animation. He is dedicated to turning his passion into a refined craft through consistent, deliberate practice. However, he doesn’t want to grow alone, and he is eager to share his journey. “I want to do animating and to help other people animate, but of course I’m still teaching myself to animate,” he said.