Comments on: My Kid Could Paint That, and so could I http://theaestheticelevator.com/2008/07/20/my-kid-could-paint-that-and-so-could-i/ For a well-considered visual environment Tue, 22 May 2012 01:23:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Paul http://theaestheticelevator.com/2008/07/20/my-kid-could-paint-that-and-so-could-i/#comment-12292 Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:28:25 +0000 http://theaestheticelevator.wordpress.com/?p=1040#comment-12292 I didn’t even get into my own opinions of her paintings. By the time I thought about it, the post was already kind of long . . .

I do like the layering, the impasto, and the recurring use of circles in her paintings. You’re right to point out that what’s good and easy as a child may not be what will carry into a career.

I’ve heard of Akiane. My wife and I are both convinced I’ve posted about her before too, but I can’t find it for anything right now . . . Maybe I only dreamt of posting it!

]]> By: Tim J. http://theaestheticelevator.com/2008/07/20/my-kid-could-paint-that-and-so-could-i/#comment-12288 Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:29:57 +0000 http://theaestheticelevator.wordpress.com/?p=1040#comment-12288 Oh, I didn’t see the second painting when I commented. Guess it loaded more slowly than the other. I don’t think it’s as strong as the one shown at the top of the post. I do like the typical little kid-like rendering of a lady’s head at the bottom right, though, with the Marlo Thomas hair. It’s kind of reassuring… there is a pretty ordinary kindergartener in there, somewhere. Some archetypes are just undeniable.

]]> By: Tim J. http://theaestheticelevator.com/2008/07/20/my-kid-could-paint-that-and-so-could-i/#comment-12287 Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:22:40 +0000 http://theaestheticelevator.wordpress.com/?p=1040#comment-12287 The painting shown is certainly comparable to some good abstract work I’ve seen in shows here and there, and I have no problem with that. One of the things I think good abstract work has going for it is a sense of play. Whimsy. If she’s just having fun with paint, I don’t see any reason why her work shouldn’t be fun to look at.

The piece is well composed and the color choices work. Nice texture (from what I can tell). If that’s a result of her own innate artistic instincts, then I’d say she may have a good chance at maintaining a career over time. Once it becomes more like work, though…

This brings to mind another young artist known mainly for being precocious. She was on Oprah, and everything;

http://www.artakiane.com/home.htm

I think the best thing for her right now is to be left pretty well alone for several years, so she can have some space to sort out what kind of artist she wants to be. The themes and style that got so much attention as a youngster may not be well suited to carry her forward and mature artistically, I don’t know.

As an addendum; the little girl is just beautiful. I always end up looking at her smile, rather than the painting. Kids are great.

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