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Carole Mikita ReportingA young Utah artist today presented a portrait she's been working on for a long time, to a Utah leader.
Karissa Greene, a recent Skyline High School graduate, says she's happy as long as she's drawing. This time her subject, unbeknownst to him, was the governor.
As Governor Huntsman graciously chatted with her mom, Karissa Greene prepared to show him his portrait.
Gov. Huntsman: "Let me take a look at this. Oh, that is fantastic. I'm so honored that you would even think of doing me. I mean, it's all the first lady can do to look at me every day."
Karissa Greene, Portrait Artist: "I just wanted to do a portrait of the governor. I admire him and all that he does."
Gov. Huntsman: "I just want you to know that this is the first portrait done of the governor because when I came into office, they said we need an official portrait, and I said, 'No, not so fast.'"
Karissa remembers wanting to become an artist at age four, and first entering artwork into an exhibit when she was nine.
Karissa's room serves as her studio and she often draws or paints more than one piece at a time. Landscapes, animals, portraits, she creates them all.
Karissa: "It doesn't matter really, where I'm working; as long as I'm working, I'm happy."
Karissa got a rare tour of the governor's private office. He wanted her opinion of his youngest daughter's artwork. And the tour continued as they posed with the portrait and the family. Then Governor Huntsman showed Karissa his favorite painting, by Utah artist Randall Lake; it inspires him.
"That's what artists bring to the world, they bring a certain inspiration, because they paint things that lift the heart and inspire people. That's what this painting does here. That's what your painting's gonna do in the governor's mansion."
Karissa Greene begins her studies at the University of Utah this fall. She hopes to be a professional painter.
