TAMPA, Fla. — Whether it’s simple drawings, or colorings, or something a little more elaborate, art has always been something that makes the Reyes family feel together, even when they have to spend time apart.

Nearly every day, 11-year-old Victoria works on her drawings, with Mom and Dad's encouragement.

“It’s almost like making your imagination come to life almost,” said Victoria as she worked on her latest piece.

She’s been drawing since preschool. But now, layer by layer, she uses an iPad given to her by Dad to bring her images to life.

“Victoria has been asking to go to art classes, but every time we find someone (to teach her), it’s time to move,” said Mom Maxine.

That feeling is one Victoria knows too well — her parents are Air Force and Army veterans. Maxine is retired, and Dad is active-duty.

“We’ve both deployed," Maxine Reyes said. "I’ve deployed to Haiti, Qatar, Afghanistan. We’ve switched places — he stays home with our baby, and he’s gone when I stayed home. Both of us were gone at once and we had to take our daughter to stay with a friend."

Victoria has moved nine times in 11 years.

“It’s kind of sad leaving all your friends behind. Making new ones is a little bit hard, but you’ll get used to it and you should be fine,” she said.

The outlet that's always been there for her is art.

“When it comes to coping, I usually do it when I’m upset, and usually it all goes through my head,” Victoria said.

Now, what was once a way to cope is getting her some recognition: Victoria was recently the youngest child in a local art show.

“A lot of people came over and asked about the drawings. I think I did OK,” she said with a smile.

The show gave her a sense of pride that she and her Mom want other kids to feel.

“That’s my goal is to get kids, especially military kids, to display their work, because I would love to include them in future art exhibits that we have,” Maxine Reyes said.

They’re currently looking for other military child artists to take part in shows once every few months.

“Just knowing that she has that skill that she can go to anytime has given us some kind of comfort when we’re not with her,” Maxine said.

If you'd like to participate, contact the Reyes family at Victoriareyesart@gmail.com or at http://www.VictoriaReyes.com.