Bengal senior featured in Cleveland Magazine

Walter Boykins’ art reflects what’s important in his life. His cartoons help him cope with his brother being deployed to Iraq., he’s painting a “faceless Jesus” at the New Life Tabernacle Church, and he’s showing his school spirit by painting a mural at his school.

Sold!: He just sold his first piece of art, a flower watercolor painting, to a guidance counselor at Benedictine.

Artist who inspires him: Jackson Pollock. “I like the way he uses color to captivate the eye.”

What’s important to him: Church, family, sports, art. His late father was a pastor, and he describes his mother as “strict, a disciplinarian” but “a strong woman and fun person to be around.”

His favorite work: A set of cartoon characters done in his art class at Benedictine that includes characters such as Sebastiona, the crab from “The Little Mermaid.”

On his self portrait: It’s a pencil drawing titled “Mumphie” (his childhood nickname). His father originally called him “Mumhpry” but his sister, too young to say this correctly, always said “Mumphie.”

Sports fanatic: Boykins is a starting forward for the school’s basketball team, and he hope to win the state championship this year. :”We have been close before, but I think this is our year.”

After graduation: he would like to stay in Ohio and play basketball and run track in college. He is still deciding on a school but would like to pursue graphic design.

Three words to describe himself: Humble, active and silly. “That’s pretty much how anyone would describe me.”

Living with diabetes: he’s learned to manage the disease without it affecting his day-to-day life. “ I rarely miss a day of school or practice. Living with diabetes has taught me self-discipline and how to take care of myself.”

Training table: “I’m a big eater. If I sit down at a table, I will eat whatever’s there. I don’t really have a favorite food,” he said. “I like and I will eat, everything.”

Why Benedictine?: “In a small school, you’re noticed,” he says. “The dress code teaches you to have a positive appearance, which is a huge thing in life.”

- Marissa Mikolakm, Cleveland magazine