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 (Graham Turner) Artist Kieron Williamson, age seven, painting at home in Holt, Norfolk.
British 7-Yr-Old Boy Paints Like Old Master
DECEMBER 30, 2009David Johnson, Citizen JournalistHis pictures cost $1500, there are over 600 people on a waiting list to buy them, and his second exhibition sold out in 14 minutes. What's even more impressive is that this artist named Kieron Williamson is only seven years old!It all began almost by accident. Two years ago a serious accident forced Kiernon's dad Keith to stop working as an electrician. Keith turned his hobby – collecting art – into an occupation. Confined to an apartment with no garden and surrounded by paintings, Kieron decided to take up drawing. Now, father and son are learning about art together.At first, Kieron's art was pretty much like any other five-year-old's. But he quickly progressed and was soon asking questions that his parents couldn't answer. "Kieron wanted to know the technicalities of art and how to put a painting together," says Michelle. Hearing of Kieron's promise, one local artist, Carol Ann Pennington, offered him some tips. Since then, he has had lessons with other Norfolk-based painters, including Brian Ryder and his favourite, Tony Garner.Garner, a professional artist, has taught more than 1,000 adults over the last few decades and Kieron, he says, is head and shoulders above everyone. "He doesn't say very much, he doesn't ask very much, he just looks. He's a very visual learner. If I did a picture with most students, they will copy it but Kieron is different. He will copy it and then he will Kieronise it," he says. "It might be a bit naive at the moment but there's a lovely freshness about what he does. The confidence that this little chap has got – he just doesn't see any danger."Kieron explains he is sticking to landscapes for now but plans to paint a portrait of his 98-year-old grandmother when she turns 100. What does he think about people spending so much money on his paintings? "Really good." Would he like to be a professional painter? "Yep." So he doesn't want to be a footballer when he is older? "I want to be a footballer and a painter."For more on this story, and to see some of Kiernon's paintings, check out this link: www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/dec/29/boy-paints-like-old-master
See a related video: www.happynews.com/news/12152009/british-child-prodigy-compared-picasso
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