This story is part of The Daily Herald’s annual look at promising local high school graduates.

ARLINGTON — Carlee Smith’s artwork is on canvases, T-shirts, posters and people’s bodies.

The 17-year-old Arlington High School student who is set to graduate June 12 has designed more than 40 tattoos for friends, family and strangers who saw her artwork online. She did custom paint on her dad’s car and her work has been turned into event posters. She got silkscreens of her three favorite sketches for Christmas and has sold about 30 home-printed T-shirts. She was named Artist of the Year for the high school.

Smith has loved drawing since she was first able to hold a pencil. She got serious about her craft when she was a freshman. She took as many art classes as her schedule would allow and plans to study art and graphic design at Shoreline Community College.

Her favorite mediums are watercolors and micron pens. She likes to do realistic pieces because the details are the most challenging and rewarding part. She loves drawing sea creatures but also has sketched and painted plants, people and other animals. Her style is passionate and colorful.

“It’s all made from my emotions,” she said. “Every piece has meaning.”

Smith’s dream would be to draw characters and worlds for DreamWorks Animation. She also is thinking about becoming a tattoo artist. She loves sketching tattoo designs and the thrill of knowing someone liked the artwork enough to put it on his or her body. Yet Smith has no tattoos herself and doesn’t plan to get any. Permanently inking her skin would be a big commitment, she said. For now, she’ll stick to designing them for others.

“I know I have potential and I have all the time in the world to grow as an artist,” she said. “I just want to give my talent. I want the world to have more beauty in it.”

She plans to work two jobs over the summer to pay for college. She works in the kitchen at Olympic Place Bonaventure and has a seasonal job at a local summer camp.

Along with art, Smith loves sports, cars and music. She’s played soccer, softball and volleyball. Her dad taught her to appreciate cars and her stepdad taught her to appreciate music. One of her favorite drawings is of Kurt Cobain.

She urges others to do their best, even when they fear failure. It’s better to fail than not to try.

“If you don’t know, make it up,” she said. “Never quit.”

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.