Vincent DeFelice’s daughter receives national recognition for Einstein drawing

When most people see a picture of Albert Einstein, they think about his complex theories or his genius.

But Sophia DeFelice, an incoming junior at Gonzaga Prep, noticed his features. Her idea? Why not draw him – and draw him very, very well.

“I thought it would be a challenge because of all of his wrinkles and white hair,” the 16-year-old said. “I just thought he’d be a good person to draw.”

And she was right. Her graphite on paper depiction of the late physicist won her a first-place award at the annual Congressional Art Competition for high school students living in Eastern Washington and a week’s vacation in the nation’s capital.

She got to meet Eastern Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and her drawing will be in the Capitol building for all to see.

If you asked her what it means to her, she’d tell you it’s not that big of a deal. That it’s just a piece of art. Her parents, on the other hand, are having none of it.

“To her, it’s still just a drawing she did,” said Vincent DeFelice, Sophia’s father and a locally renowned artist. “I’m very proud of her, and I’m proud she had the patience to stick with it and take the time to do it well.”

Vincent DeFelice is a well-known sculptor in the area. Sophia and her younger brother, Antonio, would often help their father during brainstorming sessions or listen to him explain the importance of Leonardo da Vinci.

But mostly, they’d take lessons on how to look at the world a little differently.

“He’ll tell you he hasn’t really had that much time to teach that much stuff,” Sophia said. “But he would show all these books. He really helped us have a creative eye.”

Vincent DeFelice also taught his children the importance of a full-time job.

“I’m going to try hard not to push her in any direction,” he said. “I’m up for whatever she wants to do.”

At this point, Sophia plans to move to Montana after high school, to escape the hubbub of the city and learn how to be a veterinarian – a perfect fit because she loves nature and animals.

And she loves other normal teenager things, too. Like playing sports or drawing teen heartthrob Dylan O’Brien for her friend, who keeps his portrait hung up in her room.

“I would do art as a career,” she said. “But you can incorporate art into anything.”