Trent's Story

This is the video that started the world-wide interest in Trent and his art

Trent was born in 1997 and diagnosed with classic Autism at the age of two. He began drawing as soon as he could hold a pen. For years there were animals and text drawn on all his family’s walls, three feet off the floor. Trent loves to read (animal books), listen to music (just about anything!), and watch TV (Phineas and Ferb & almost everything Disney - often in a foreign language). Having very limited verbal communication, Trent deals with much frustration, but finds an escape through drawing. Because Trent treasures the original drawings he has drawn for himself, a limited number of prints have been made of some of his most interesting drawings.
Trent’s View of the Zoo coloring book was created by the incredible staff at Heartspring, an international school for children with communication disorders located in Wichita, KS where Trent attended for eight years. When Trent began attending Heartspring in 2009, he couldn't be left at home without his father present. He was violent and aggressive and could fly into a rage at any moment for any reason. Now as an adult, Trent is almost always compliant, and typically a joy to be around!

Though Trent Has Difficulty Expressing Himself, The Emotion In His Art Is Unmistakable

Trent has been drawing since he could hold a pen in his little hand. His favorite medium has always been phonebooks - we have hundreds (please don't save any for us) filled with his art. Trent will draw on just about anything: napkins, sketch pads, our walls (when he was younger), his sister's play kitchen, the side of our dresser, couches, his brothers drums, his iPad, and of course his #trampolineart. He just loves to draw!
Trent also loves music. He listens to music constantly and is a big fan of 80's music as well as Toby Mac and has most of the songs on his CD's memorized - names, track number, album. Though Trent listens to a wide variety of music, he is not a fan of country, with the exception of Johnny Cash!
Trent also enjoys just about everything animated that Disney has ever created... as well as Phineas and Ferb. It's not uncommon to catch him watching a show in Spanish or French. He also enjoys movies that feature animals (or animal-like characters) like the Jurassic Park/World series, Planet of the Apes, and We Bought a Zoo. 

Trent's Family

Trent lives in ElDorado, KS with his parents. Trent's mom, Andrea, is a school psychologist in the public schools. His father, Corey, planted Real Life Church in ElDorado, KS in 2007, and is the lead pastor there.

Trent's older brother, Trevor, is a percussionist and a professor of music at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania. He will be completing his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in May 2026! You can find Trevor on Instagram at tlandrethperc. 

Trent's sister, Tristen, is closest to Trent in age and is a care provider for Trent part-time. Tristen works for Drawings by Trent, and also for Heartspring where she provides ASD training to businesses and organizations. Tristen enjoys macrame and hand-lettering art (featured on Trent's "Gather" wall decal). Tristen's husband, Easton, also works for Drawings by Trent. He does multiple things for the company including coordinating events for Trent. He can be reached at trentsbil@drawingsbytrent.com. Tristen and Easton have a little girl, Winry, and are expecting baby #2 in May 2026!

Trent's younger brother, TJ, holds the bragging rights to say that he is the only sibling to have been raised with Trent his entire life! He is an arborist and loves to do outdoor activities! TJ and his wife, Brooke, along with their two children, Sam and Allie, live close to Trent and their parents. So Trent gets to be around his nieces and nephew very often! 

Trent is with his family almost all of the time, either working the Drawings by Trent business, hanging out at home or his sister's house, or out in the community. Trent loves to go to the movies, swing at the park, visit the library, and even just running errands! He also loves to travel and meet his fans all over the country!