SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers EYE ON THE PRIZE—Karen Keys, a math and art teacher at Community High School, encourages senior Heriberto Morales to submit his artwork to local contests. Instead of spray-painting walls, local graffiti artist Heriberto Morales, 17, draws colorful letters and bold background illustrations of metropolitan life on canvas. His work has been recognized at two local art competitions over the past year.

"Heriberto has a lot of potential," said Karen Keys, who teaches math and arts at Community High School in Moorpark. She's encouraged Heriberto, a senior at the continuation high school, to develop his skills so he could turn a pastime into a vocation. "I want him to go further in arts because he has a natural talent," she said.

With the support of Keys and other teachers at Community High, Heriberto was able catch up with his schoolwork and make plans for the future.

"I want to graduate and do something good with my life," he said.

The young man won a $100 honorable mention award at the "Expression of Our Youth" event hosted by Focus on the Masters and the Ventura County Arts Council last week. He also was awarded Best of Show in the Moorpark Women's Fortnightly Club art show last year.

The inspiration behind his artwork is "love for intricate letters and colors," Heriberto said. "The art I create is urban art known as graffiti. I'm really interested in colors and shapes when I create my art work."

The son of Heriberto and Esmeralda Morales, the young artist has two younger siblings who attend Moorpark schools and many other relatives who live in town. "My parents always appreciated what I did and that helped me a lot," he said.

He said he didn't expect that his graffiti art would win in local art contests when he entered last year.

His success prompted Heriberto to enroll in art classes at Moorpark College last fall. "I'm glad I'm in those classes. I appreciate the knowledge and skills I'm receiving," he said.

Once he obtains his two-year degree from the local community college, he plans to attend the Art Institute in San Diego to major in graphic arts.

"This (taking college classes while in high school) certainly shows initiative and a seriousness of purpose," said Margaret Travers, executive director for the Ventura County Arts Council, adding that Heriberto "appears to be quite a technician in producing his artwork."

Judges who evaluated the artwork at the Moorpark Women's Fortnightly event last year agreed. Heriberto has "tremendous talent and his picture stood out because it had a creative design," said Carolyn Finley, a member of the Fortnightly Club.

"We were drawn into the painting because of his meticulous style and use of materials," she said.

This year's Fortnightly Club art contest, in which Heriberto again entered his work, took place at Mountain Meadows on March 18. The citywide contest features works from students in all grades. Local winners go on to compete in districtwide competitions, and monetary awards are given to high school seniors, said Keys.

Heriberto didn't receive a cash award at last year's contest because he was a junior, but he's hoping to win again this year to receive some money for college, said Keys.

Results from the contest were not available when the Moorpark Acorn went to press.