A Kansas artist’s animal drawings have attracted millions of social media followers, helping turn his creative hobby into a family-run business selling books, colouring products and merchandise.
asserted
drawings → attract → books
Trent Landreth, known online as Drawings by Trent, has 2 million followers on Facebook, 1.3 million on Instagram and 3 million on TikTok.
asserted
Landreth → know → TikTok
His popularity began with a video of him drawing animals on a trampoline with chalk, shared by his mother around ten years ago.
asserted
him → begin → mother
His parents now help record his videos, manage the business and sell products featuring his artwork, including colouring books, stickers, T-shirts and mugs.
asserted
parents → help → books
How did a Kansas artist’s animal drawings become an online sensation
Landreth first went viral around ten years ago, when his mother shared a video of him drawing animals on a trampoline with chalk.
asserted
him → become → chalk
The video showed him sketching animals including an elephant, an alligator and a gorilla, while cicadas could be heard in the background.
uncertain
cicadas → show → background
According to KMUW, a National Public Radio member station based in Wichita, Kansas, he gained his first million followers over the following four months.
uncertain
he → accord → months
His parents, however, say that he is not aware of the extent of his online popularity and does not draw to entertain other people.
asserted
he → say → people
His family has continued sharing his drawings through social media, where viewers can watch him respond to drawing requests.
asserted
him → continue → requests
Away from the camera, Landreth produces more detailed artwork using black ballpoint pens, with phone books serving as his preferred drawing surface.
asserted
books → produce → surface
His mother explained that the soft pages allow the pen to leave a groove that he can feel as he draws.
asserted
he → explain → that
She also suggested that he enjoys the busy appearance of phone book pages, which differ from the cleaner surfaces of conventional sketchbooks.
uncertain
which → suggest → sketchbooks
What products does Drawings by Trent sell featuring his animal artwork
Landreth’s online following has helped his family establish a business selling products featuring his artwork.
asserted
family → sell → artwork
Drawings by Trent offers colouring books, stickers, T-shirts, mugs and three published books.
asserted
Drawings → offer → books
His parents help manage the operation, using space in their family home to store merchandise, prepare orders and package products for customers.
asserted
parents → help → customers
When Landreth packs an order himself, the package receives a special sticker so that customers can identify his involvement.
asserted
customers → pack → involvement
The business is also intended to help provide for Landreth in the future, when his parents may no longer be able to care for him.
uncertain
parents → intend → him
According to KMUW, the family’s wider mission is to demonstrate the value of including people with different needs in everyday life.
uncertain
mission → accord → life
His father, Corey Landreth, said: “When we share our lives, we are not just helping those ‘poor’ special needs individuals.
asserted
we → say → individuals
We actually grow and become better people.”
asserted
We → grow → ?
The family has also spoken about the importance of representing Landreth carefully, rather than assuming how he feels about his experiences.
asserted
he → speak → experiences
What is Trent’s View of the Zoo, and why is it a best-selling colouring book
asserted
it → sell → Zoo
One of Landreth’s most successful products is Trent’s View of the Zoo, his first colouring book, which remains a best-seller for the business.
asserted
which → remain → business
His artwork has also led to collaborations with companies and other creators.
asserted
artwork → lead → companies
KMUW reported that he helped design artwork for the children’s menu at the restaurant chain Old Chicago.
asserted
he → report → chain
He also collaborated with Tanner Smith, known from Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum, on a T-shirt collection with Vineyard Vines for Autism Acceptance Month.
asserted
He → collaborate → Month
The family is preparing to expand its publishing work with a new activity book expected early in 2027.
asserted
family → prepare → 2027
According to KMUW, the book is planned to be available at Walmart stores nationwide.
uncertain
book → accord → stores
Landreth also travels with his parents for meet-and-greet events, where he interacts with fans from across the United States.
asserted
he → travel → States
His family says he enjoys these trips, particularly staying in hotels and exploring new accommodations.
asserted
he → say → accommodations
Alongside his drawing and business activities, he frequently visits his local public library and spends much of his time with his family.
asserted
he → visit → family
The Aporia
