The girl who paints God. (plus video)

[Speck Tater]

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

video from CNN: http://dynamic.cnn.com/apps/tp/video/bestoftv/2006/12/14/beck.akiane.child.prodigy.cnn/video.ws.asx?NGUserID=aa570a1-6893-1166214706-3&adDEmas=R00%26hi%26cox.net%2673%26usa%26650%2673101%2637%26-%26-%26-%26

[Richard D]

1. Wow.

[OneBlueSky]

11. wow squared . . . unbelievable talent for one so young . . .

some of her paintings are truly exquisite . . . wonder what kind of work she'll be producing five, ten years down the road . . .

[greyl]

20. No, the talent is VERY believable.

I'd very roughly estimate that about 1 out of 500 to 1000 people could exhibit that level of talent and skill.
Talent's not the issue. It's the faith-based marketing that initially raises my eyebrows.

[Kutjara]

2. Very accomplished...

...but also kitschy. I hope she matures away from the schmaltz or the world will have another Thomas Kinkade on it's hands.

She's very young, though, so there's time.

[LittleClarkie]

4. It does have a sort of Kinkade meets New Age meets Christianity feel, doesn't it

Shows alot of talent for her age though. And as young as she is, the work seems quite mature. She can only grow from here.

[Kutjara]

5. Yes indeed. Someone just needs to...

...get her away from the creepie fundie influences before the damage is permanent.

[tanyev]

13. I don't think they are fundie.

She participated in a documentary about Indigo children, which is a very New Age thing.

http://www.theindigoevolution.com/hopi_lg.html

[DoYouEverWonder]

42. The Indigo Children folks

have nothing to do with xian or fundie christianity as far as I know.

[Realityhack]

30. Probobly already is. n/t

[jgraz]

3. Good painter, but damn that kid is creeeee-pee

Here's hoping she gets some help for whatever's causing her delusions.

[TheMadMonk]

6. Unfortunately for her skill, I suspect her delusions are very much...

...a part of it. Her faith/belief that she is a conduit to/from God absolves her from taking responsibility for what is (even in my decidedly non-artistic opinion) a pretty phenomenal skill. Take away/cure her faith, and there is every possibility she would lose all confidence in what really is her own ability.

It's more than a little sad, but I suspect that in many cases a good deal of artistic genius boils down to the possession of "perfect knowledge" that God's hand is guiding theirs and thus failure is not possible.

[mirandapriestly]

7. She's really good at copying images

Everything looks like it came from a photograph. Not that she isn't extremely skilled. Unfortunately, because of the religious angle, I don't know how she is going to develop an artistic mentality to go with the skill. it's kind of sad if the religion was put on her by her parents, if it wasn't maybe she really is some kind of visionary, but somehow I don't think that's what Jesus really looks like, lol...

[LittleClarkie]

8. Like a little surfer kid, no

But at least she's not as literal as kids can be at that age. I'd like to see what's she's doing in a dozen years from now.

[greyl]

12. At her web site, she says the model was :

Then one day I asked my family to pray with me all day. We petitioned God to send the model right through our front door. The next day a tall carpenter came in. He was so humble, and I was surprised that he agreed to model for me. But a week later he called back to say that he was unworthy to represent his master. We all prayed together again, and a few days later he called back to tell us that God wanted him to do it, but he had to cut his hair and beard in three days. So we took a few pictures and I studied his face for a long time. After dozens of sketches, I started painting. It took me 40 hours to finish the first Jesus painting –The Prince of Peace-- and I still remember I lost four teeth in that time!
http://www.artakiane.com/akiane_painting.htm

I don't think so. Looks like Kenny Loggins. Why not share the guys name?

[canetoad]

41. Fancy meeting you here lol

Something smells here. All of her paintings look naggingly familiar - even the backgrounds. My first impression was that she was painting over photographs, now I think slides are projected onto white canvas and overpainted. Not saying it doesn't take skill and patience, but definitely not artistic genius.

Would anyone look twice at these pieces if she was 40 yrs old?

[I_Make_Mistakes]

9. Did you all look into her bio? I am intrigued, but, with reserve.

She speaks Lithuanian, Russian, English and sign language. That is not bad for 12, but, technically I am not sure of the difference between Russian and Lithuanian. My great great grandfather was from Lithuania and had Russian-Pole on his papers. It's still impressive even if it is more dialect than actual language difference, I just don't know.

Also, her mother was an atheist, but they don't say what the father is. So, if he too was an atheist then where did her Christianity come from? It only says that she converted her family to Christianity at 4.

If you look at her biological background it too is very diverse.

I am skeptical about most of these miraculous type of things, but, hey it's worth looking into.

I agree about the New Age and Kinkade criticism, but the black woman and some of the others are quite exquisite.

[greyl]

10. I think it sucks

for the 12 year old artists who have more talent than her but don't exploit faith to make a buck.
The over-the-top marketing has me waiting for the parents to be found out as frauds.
Also, these pics supposedly showing her during the process, look staged.

[trotsky]

14. Yeah, something's not quite right here.

The exploitation of faith is one thing, but notice how we never get to see her actually painting. In the video, the most we see is tiny touch-up of an already-finished painting. And I suppose we're just supposed to take the reporter's (or the mom's) word that she only started learning the piano "a few months ago."

Sounds much more likely to be parents looking for attention. (And money, of course.)

[Goblinmonger]

17. Why do you hate the baby Jesus so much?

I'm right there with you guys. Of course, we did all vote on this at the latest atheist mass, so I can't disagree if I wanted to.

For a twelve-year-old (who may have played other instruments for all we know) with a creative/artistic mind, that piano playing isn't that great. My daughter is 13, has taken violin lessons since she was 4, and could play like that in a few months if she practiced every day.

[greyl]

19. I'll let you know when they reply to my email.

Hi, I'm wondering if there is evidence to share that shows that Akiane painted the pieces attributed to her on artakiane.com.

Warmest Regards,
Satan

(just kidding about the Satan part, I used my real name.)

[greyl]

23. The reply:

THE BEGINNING TO END OR IN BETWEEN VIDEOS TELEVESION SHOWS AND DOCUMENTARIES USE ALL THE TIME.

AKIANE HAS BEEN WATCHED AS SHE PAINTS BY MANY.
IN THE FUTURE A FEW OF THEM WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC USE

AKIANE GALLERY
208-773-2090

and my reply to that:

Can you tell me where I can find a beginning to end video, please?

Thank you very much,
Len

[greyl]

25. next reply, in its entirety:

AT OUR GALLERY

[greyl]

28. Then,

me: Where is that?


[e-mail]: PRIVATE ARCHIVES OF AKIANE GALLERY, IDAHO

[greyl]

34. next:

me: "You said "TELEVESION SHOWS AND DOCUMENTARIES USE" the beginning to end videos all the time.
Which television shows and documentaries have used them?"

awaiting reply

[greyl]

36. Their reply:

"IT IS CONFIDENCIAL"

[trotsky]

37. Oooh, "confidencial." Must be a truthier level of confidentiality.

Nice work, greyl. I think you've just shown that this is a hoax.

[Goblinmonger]

38. Hmmm, I smell

a huge pile of bullshit.

[trotsky]

39. Expensive bullshit.

Prints on Canvas

Giclee's on canvas signed and numbered: $1800 - $3000
Limited Edition sizes: 24x30 - 48x60

Prices include: stretching, shipping/handling, and insurance

How much does the family keep? Why does a god choose a family with two parents capable of working, to their bless a child with fantastic art ability and then let them charge ridiculous prices for it, when there are literally millions of children with one or no parent and no ability to make life better for themselves? Why does no one ask these questions? And why are those who do, branded as mean old skeptics?

[cosmik debris]

40. God helps those who help themselves

And these people are helping themselves to the wallets and purses of the gullible.

I have to admit I really admire a good con, but this isn't one.

[greyl]

43. next exchange:

me: The name of the television shows and documentaries is confidential?
That doesn't make sense.

them: WE WRITE A CONTRACT OF CONFIDENTIALITY WITH TV SHOW SABOUT MANY THINGS

Any thoughts on the next question, or do we already have enough info to form a solid opinion?

[trotsky]

45. There's more than enough for a solid opinion.

[pberq]

15. Beautiful!

an example of the great potential we all have.

[Goblinmonger]

16. Well, that proves it.

God and Jesus are white guys.

[trotsky]

18. And Jesus looks like Barry Manilow.

Creepy.

[greyl]

21. Kenny Loggins! nt

[trotsky]

22. INFIDEL!

BARRY MANILOW!

[greyl]

26. Loggins with Manilow's nose!

[trotsky]

27. Only the beard is Loggins.

Take the beard off, and it's Manilow with his new short hairdo.

[greyl]

33. You're correct.

That unique line between inner brow and bridge of the nose...
What I want to know is, when did Manilow start moonlighting as a carpenter?

[Evoman]

24. Pfftt...thats nothing. Have you seen my great paintings? Here one I did in 5 MINUTES!

Akiane has been pnwed.

[Danger Mouse]

29. The world does not need...

another painter of light :P one's bad enough...

[Realityhack]

31. lol. True. n/t

[Realityhack]

32. quick thought...

I do not see any reason to doubt that a child prodigy exists or that this girl is one.

I do not think the massive dose of religion fed to this child is something to be celibrated.

[Meshuga]

35. I bet she is growing up to

rebel against all this and create the Iron Maiden type album covers.

[greyl]

44. I appreciate in your confidence in innate human goodness. :) nt

[mondo obscurius]

46. Unverified but

There may be a "Urantia" cult connection with Akiana's family here. Also, apparently, her mother is an artist and has frequently "assisted" in the production of her work. Looks like there's some influence here from the Kinkade school of mass marketed inspiration. Selling to the christian niche is a no-brainer.

This beautiful, obviously talented little girl is unfortunately being packaged by her elders in an almost cultish way that sets off my b.s. detector just a wee bit. Anyone else here receiving it this way too?

I hope little Akiana will mature emotionally, intellectually, and artistically enough to throw off the kitsch Jehovah's Witness aesthetic - and more importantly the erstwhile "jr. pageant stage mom" who's managing her image.

mo

[varkam]

47. Well put.

Welcome to DU! :hi: