In elementary school, art  involved finger paint, washable markers and a 16-pack of Crayola crayons. Some loved crayons and some hated them, but for Palo Alto High School sophomore, Arin Tai-Seale, crayons have a bigger meaning. Tai-Seale looks at art with a different perspective, creating crayon art to offer a sense of inspiration.

Crayon art is simple. The materials needed are crayons, a canvas and a blow dryer. Tai-Seale goes to Michaels for all her supplies. Having no background in art, Tai-Seale now teaches friends how to make crayon art of their own.

She began making crayon art only two months ago, in a corner of her room. This space is splattered with various colors across laid out newspapers.

“I’m really unartistic actually, I’m very bad at drawing, [but] this is actually really easy to do,” Tai-Seale said.

Some of Tai-Seale’s art is for sale. Her pieces cost between $10-$25 depending on the piece and the amount of time it took to make it.

One of her pieces is on a black canvas, giving the melted crayons a water-like effect—the actual crayons and their colors seem to pop off the canvas. Crayon wax drips over the edges of the canvas, giving the piece even more visual depth.

Her first and favorite piece, “Love, Dream, Joy” displays a rainbow of varied crayons, underneath the melted crayon wax are the words love, dream and joy.

Some of her pieces have a more serious theme. For example, one piece reflects a more romantic theme; in it a man’s and woman’s silhouette are joined together underneath a red umbrella, as hues of melted blue crayons drip down from clouds.

Her most fragile piece displays inspirational words: “Live life to the fullest.” Surrounded by yellow, pink and orange melted crayon, giving warmth to the words. Crayons are hot-glued to the right-hand corner of the canvas, making an exaggerated effect on the canvas.

Her art is easily done but can frustrate some first attempting this style.

Crayons are no longer just for kindergartners. Tai-Seale’s crayon art includes inspirational words and beautiful meanings, but mostly makes one stare in awe of what was once a childhood drawing tool that now make works of art.