Prodigy portrait artist

[Linda Brandon]

Originally Posted by Richard Monro

Second, why do you think my comment was directed at you? Others fit the bill as well. .

Who would that be, Richard? I would think that lots of people could have a strong objection to how young children are marketed without necessarily needing a psychiatrist.

[Molly Sherrick Phifer]

Correct me if I'm wrong, Richard, but I am supposing that the psychiatrist remark was simply a way of saying that our comments on another person's life/work often says more about us than it says about them. This would apply to all comments, both supportive and critical. An interesting thought and point of introspection which I don't think is meant to imply someone needs psychiatric help.

By the way, I think you are all fascinating and wonderful.

[Richard Monro]

Molly,

Thank you. You are absolutely correct. What I am fascinated by are the number of negative reactions derived from the relatively scanty information that was found on Akiane's website.

I appreciate my fellow artist's concern about the exploitation of children, but does the evidence support that concern? Read her poetry. It shows a very caring and engaged young lady. Wonderful traits for any person. Also. the website states that Akiane donates a significant number of her paintings to various charities. Doesn't that indicate that rather then exploiting Akiane, her parents have taught her to be a loving, generous child? If so I applaud them. Those are qualities very lacking in our self serving world.

What about the marketing of her art? Isn't that helping her to do the very things she loves while simultaneously teaching her very valuable business skills she will need when she does go out on her own?

What about the copying and tracing? Copyright holders would have been on her like a bad rash if she were doing that. Apparently that hasn't happened even with all the publicity she has received. Doesn't that indicate her art is original?

Cynthia Daniels has set a very high ethical and moral standard for this forum. i applaud her for setting the bar so high. Forum members have been extraordinary in helping and encouraging each other in keeping with those standards. Therefore why not continue to keep that wonderful spirit alive and vibrant by looking for the best? It is easy to find the negative, but it is focusing on the good that really helps people grow.

[Mary Reilly]

Richard, well said.