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| Marla Olmstead. Painting on the right: Dory, 36 x 48 inches, painted at age 5 (2005). [image sources: map, marlaolmstead.com] |
Kids love art. Walk into any preschool class, and you'll find children coloring, making a collage, or fingerpainting. When I was an elementary art specialist for a year in the public school district, I had the privilege of teaching the fundamentals of art to primary students. Even when there was only copy paper and #2 yellow pencils available at a school, children were excited to learn something new with art.
The younger kids, in particular, were much more uninhibited about diving into an art project. They didn't worry about making "mistakes," so their works were more spontaneous. It's this innocent, child-like approach that many famous artists have strived for in their professional career.
The younger kids, in particular, were much more uninhibited about diving into an art project. They didn't worry about making "mistakes," so their works were more spontaneous. It's this innocent, child-like approach that many famous artists have strived for in their professional career.
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| Akiane Kramarik, Planted Eyes, 36 x 48 in., painted at age 8 (2003). [image source: artakiane.com] |
Art is a learned skill, but some children have artistic abilities that come naturally. The three young artists whose works are showcased here are undoubtedly all very gifted children. Akiane Kramarik was only eight years-old when she painted this large portrait of an African woman. It was her first oil painting, and she finished it within 15 hours, which includes the preliminary drawing.
In the past couple of weeks, 4 year-old Aelita Andre from Australia has been spotlighted in the media. Her large scale works are currently showing in a Manhattan gallery and selling for tens of thousands of dollars.
In the past couple of weeks, 4 year-old Aelita Andre from Australia has been spotlighted in the media. Her large scale works are currently showing in a Manhattan gallery and selling for tens of thousands of dollars.
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| Aelita Andre, age 4, Autumn, 30 x 36 in. [image source: aelitaandreart.com |
These three talented girls come from different backgrounds and places, yet there is one common denominator that plays a significant role in the girls' artistic pursuits and success. They all have parents who support and foster their aptitude for painting. Four year-old Aelita even has her own art studio (bigger than mine!).
Below is a short documentary of Aelita painting in her studio. It is quite fascinating to watch the creative process of such a young girl, especially when she is given so much freedom with art supplies. In the ten years that I taught art, I've worked with a number of truly gifted kids. And it makes me wonder how many more young Picassos we would run across if every young child who has a propensity for the arts was given ample supplies, time, space, and parental support.
Below is a short documentary of Aelita painting in her studio. It is quite fascinating to watch the creative process of such a young girl, especially when she is given so much freedom with art supplies. In the ten years that I taught art, I've worked with a number of truly gifted kids. And it makes me wonder how many more young Picassos we would run across if every young child who has a propensity for the arts was given ample supplies, time, space, and parental support.
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