Prodigy portrait artist

Claudemir Bonfim · 06-01-2005, 09:32 PM

She paints very well for a kid, but I hope she won't miss her childhood.

I love what Mozart produced at 18, 22, 24, but I'm amazed by what he composed at his 30's. Let's wait to see what is going to happen.

Her parents seem to be kinda freak symbiotic, not to mention a little fanatic, I hope she will grow up healthy and happy.

Richard Monro · 06-01-2005, 09:50 PM

A visiting psychiatrist would probably have a field day with some of the comments posted in this thread. The bottom line is, who of us could paint that well at 9 and 10 years of age. I couldn't. Talent is talent. Will it develop further? I suspect so. If she continues to pursue art, what might experience plus talent produce in 10, 20 or 30 years? I think we might be very surprised and impressed. Give credit where credit is due. Alternatively, post your own art from when you were 9 and 10 and let us compare.

Linda Brandon · 06-02-2005, 01:13 AM

I would like to know why we don't see any gifted little boy prodigies.

Scott Bartner · 06-02-2005, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linda Brandon

I would like to know why we don't see any gifted little boy prodigies.

That's because they all discovered the "internet" and won't come out of their rooms.

Julie Deane · 06-02-2005, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Bartner

That's because they all discovered the "internet" and won't come out of their rooms.

LOL - that's my son! He doesn't have any time to discover his talents, because he's too busy playing online video games and IM'ing all his pals.

Back to the topic of the child prodigy - all I can say is, she's got loads more talent than I ever displayed at her age and I wish her well.

Sharon Knettell · 06-03-2005, 01:23 PM

Richard,

Actually I painted quite well as a child. If websites had been available then I am sure my mother would have gotten me one.

Unfortunately, I cleaned out my mother's house after her death and threw the stuff out so I can't post it.

Since you seem to be conversant with the field of psychiatry, what comments exactly do you think that they would take exception to or interest in?

Richard Monro · 06-03-2005, 02:37 PM

Sharon

First of all let me say that I am a great admirer of your talent and your beautiful paintings.

Second, why do you think my comment was directed at you? Others fit the bill as well. In any case I find it curious when any professional has a reaction to someone else's work product that seems to go beyond the measure of professionalism. What in that person's life experiences produces such a strong reaction. Not for me to know, but certainly worthy of some self examination.

Thirdly, my comments past the first sentence in my initial comment are still valid. The girl has talent and has shown significant growth in the 4 years of art work that is shown on her web site.

I'm happy that you painted well at an early age. I didn't have that gift. Sorry that all that early art is gone. I would have loved to have seen it. Future art historians would probably give their eye teeth to be able to get thier hands on it as well.

Keep up the incredible art and may peace of soul bless all of us.

Allan Rahbek · 06-03-2005, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claudemir Bonfim

She paints very well for a kid, but I hope she won't miss her childhood.

I love what Mozart produced at 18, 22, 24, but I'm amazed by what he composed at his 30's. Let's wait to see what is going to happen.

Her parents seem to be kinda freak symbiotic, not to mention a little fanatic, I hope she will grow up healthy and happy.

I buy that one Bonfim !

Can

Allan Rahbek · 06-05-2005, 10:12 AM

Richard,

Since I am the only one that has written about tracing I assume that you have misunderstood my post.

This is what I actually wrote.:

"It looks as these big paintings are tracings from photos, transferred via an overhead projector. The drawing has all the characteristics of a photograph in contrast to the surroundings such as backgrounds, fabric structure, sky and light effects that are done in a childish manner."

Allan

Richard Monro · 06-05-2005, 11:35 PM

Allan,

You are a very mature artist and produce work that I think is absolutely fantastic. Your skill and experience bring much to this forum. However, I wonder if a fair, studied and objective asseessment has been made by some of us in the case of this young prodigy.

If one goes to her web site and clicks the the tab "paintings", they would see a progression of steps in the painting of one of her Christ figures. There is also an explanaition of how she paints after taking reference photos and making many sketches. She also prefers to paint big paintings 40x 60 inches (101x152cm). That step progression clearly shows she is working from a smaller sketch. However, what if she did use a tracing? Haven't we all done that at one time or another? Projection? Some of the forum members admit they do that also. What we should find stunning in that step progession and some of her other paintings is her use of soft and disappearing edges and her very effective use of value ranges. Astounding for, at the time, a 9 year old child.

We owe it to each of our fellow forum members to give each critique or comment our very best effort. Somehow it didn't seem that we did that in this case. In any case I hereby give up my soapbox on this thread as I think all the points have been addressed.

Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing your new paintings as they come off the easel.