Many world-renowned artists share a nonconformist attitude, and it turns out that some of Napa's youngest artists are no different.

"I don't want to be like the crowd," said Angela Cazares, a 12-year-old artist who attends Phillips-Edison Charter school. "I want to be the sore thumb."

Angela, who creates scores of comic books, cartoons and flip books that typically feature animals and people, said it's not always easy being avant-garde. Her teachers sometimes don't know what to make of her drawing technique -- securing the top of her colored pencil in her right palm while all but one of her fingers splay along the writing utensil.

"My teachers say, 'Don't hold it like that. ... Hold it like this.' At first, I was embarrassed, but then I started to tell them that's my style. You might think it's weird, but you have to deal with it."

While Angela isn't attending art classes at school, she said she's teaming up with a friend to write and illustrate a book titled "The Wolf Brothers." The story takes place in the old west and tells the story of a girl named Aka. The main character was raised by wolves after her parents gave her up because they couldn't afford the cost of her hospital delivery.

What ends up happening to Aka?

"We don't really know yet. My friend and I just finished chapter one," she said.

Just as Aka didn't choose her canine parents, Angela did not choose her hobby -- it chose her.

"I can't stop drawing," she said matter-of-factly, with a quiet grin on her face.

Angela, who wants to become an actress when she grows older, said she enjoys art for many reasons. "Everybody's art is different and everyone should express themselves. In art, there are no rules."

Like Angela, DeAnna Beland -- a 10-year-old artist who frequents the art room at the Boys & Girls Club of Napa -- said art's appeal is universal. "It gets out your inner feelings and everybody can do art."

DeAnna, a student at Browns Valley Elementary who prefers the mediums of sculpting and sketching, has some advice for young people who like art but may be doubtful of their skills.

"Keep practicing and practicing. Remember, it always starts out with one dot," DeAnna said.

A fan of abstract art, DeAnna said unconventional methods such as using a color not typically associated with a particular object can also help new artists come up with fresh ways of expressing themselves.

DeAnna shared a table in the art room of the Boys & Girls Club on a recent, late winter afternoon with two fellow artists, including 8-year-old Jenna O'Kelley and 9-year-old Louis Galarza.

Jenna -- a Bel Aire Elementary School student -- said she relishes the creative freedoms of drawing. The Boys & Girls Club member, who wants to become an artist or a veterinarian when she grows up, said practice is indeed the key to becoming a good artist.

"You just don't give up," she said.

Louis, who specializes in drawing animals including birds, cats and dogs -- nodded quietly in agreement.