Artist Rob Surette put on a presentation for Swampscott Middle School students and teachers on Tuesday.

“The kids love it,” said Principal Jessica Minter. 

Surette began drawing at three years old and continued as a self-taught artist. He has since appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Over the years, he has performed at more than 4,000 schools, showcasing his signature speed-painting style, and has set six world records.

On Tuesday, Surette created four works of art live in front of the middle school audience. The first was an image of the Statue of Liberty, carrying a message of “hope for a brighter tomorrow.” He followed with a portrait of primatologist Jane Goodall, centered on the themes of kindness and compassion.

“One person can change the whole world with kindness,” Surette said. “That could be your superpower if you wanted. That was Jane Goodall’s superpower, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa.”

Surette shared his story with the students, including how he had dreamed of becoming a Disney artist, which he does now full-time. While speaking about imagination, he created a painting of scientist Albert Einstein.

“You’re more spectacular than you can ever imagine because you’re here and you’re alive,” Surette said. 

His final piece was a portrait of Martin Luther King Jr., which he began upside down before revealing the finished image right-side up.

At the end of the presentation, Surette also showed the students images of famous figures including Taylor Swift, LeBron James, Lionel Messi, and Serena Williams, prompting cheers and chants from the crowd.

At the end of the visit, he gifted the school an image of Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, which Minter said will be displayed somewhere in the halls.