AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me. Check the original source article to view more of Iris' work)
Iris Grace made headlines at the age of 3 when the Internet took note of her incredible paintings. She caught our attention again in 2014 when photos and videos of her therapy cat Thula went viral. Now, at 6 years old, Iris is in the news yet again, thanks to a famous client purchasing one of her original paintings.
Iris, who has autism, has sold nearly two dozen pieces to private art collectors across the world over the last two years, her mother, Arabella Carter-Johnson, told The Mighty. Angelina Jolie recently bought one, according to Iris’ website, and Carter-Johnson just published a book chronicling the balance between her daughter’s journey on the international art scene and life at home.
Carter-Johnson told The Mighty she wanted to show others what it is like to parent a child with autism, but also to show that “there can be a future … a bright one.” The book, simple titled “Iris Grace,” features images of Iris’ paintings, images of her in action and diary entries from Carter-Johnson.
“Dancing in Snowflakes” by Iris Grace
Carter-Johnson explained that her daughter knows about the reach her artwork has, but the family tries not to make too much of a fuss about it. “Iris knows people have bought some of her pieces for their homes so they can enjoy them every day, but we do protect her from the media,” Carter-Johnson told The Mighty. “There are a great many paintings that we would never sell, as they mean so much to her.”
Carter Johnson says she’s seen Iris’ confidence soar over the last few years, and she also credits her daughter’s progress to the introduction of her therapy cat, who was introduced to the family two years ago.
Though she has sold original paintings to art collectors in South America, Asia, Europe and the United States, Iris hasn’t had an official exhibition, and her mom isn’t pushing it. For now, Iris’ parents want her to continue using painting as a way to share her voice with the world. “If we stretch ourselves too far, we will lose what we have worked so hard on, which is following Iris’s lead,” Carter-Johnson told The Mighty. “That’s what this was always and will always be about. That’s what the paintings mean, they are a way for Iris to express herself and for us to connect.”
“She is happy when she paints, sometimes elated, excited, then at other times it calms her,” Carter-Johnson told The Mighty. “For me, I hope this book spreads a message of hope and how different is brilliant.”
“Iris Grace” was published in hardcover by Penguin Books on Feb. 25.
“She is happy when she paints, sometimes elated, excited, then at other times it calms her,” Carter-Johnson told The Mighty. “For me, I hope this book spreads a message of hope and how different is brilliant.”
For more information about Iris Grace and her art, visit her website, Facebook page and you can order her book on Book Depository.
All images courtesy of Arabella Carter-Johnson.
SOURCE: http://themighty.com/2016/02/photo-...year-olds-journey-in-international-art-world/
Iris Grace made headlines at the age of 3 when the Internet took note of her incredible paintings. She caught our attention again in 2014 when photos and videos of her therapy cat Thula went viral. Now, at 6 years old, Iris is in the news yet again, thanks to a famous client purchasing one of her original paintings.
Iris, who has autism, has sold nearly two dozen pieces to private art collectors across the world over the last two years, her mother, Arabella Carter-Johnson, told The Mighty. Angelina Jolie recently bought one, according to Iris’ website, and Carter-Johnson just published a book chronicling the balance between her daughter’s journey on the international art scene and life at home.
Carter-Johnson told The Mighty she wanted to show others what it is like to parent a child with autism, but also to show that “there can be a future … a bright one.” The book, simple titled “Iris Grace,” features images of Iris’ paintings, images of her in action and diary entries from Carter-Johnson.
“Dancing in Snowflakes” by Iris Grace
Carter-Johnson explained that her daughter knows about the reach her artwork has, but the family tries not to make too much of a fuss about it. “Iris knows people have bought some of her pieces for their homes so they can enjoy them every day, but we do protect her from the media,” Carter-Johnson told The Mighty. “There are a great many paintings that we would never sell, as they mean so much to her.”
Carter Johnson says she’s seen Iris’ confidence soar over the last few years, and she also credits her daughter’s progress to the introduction of her therapy cat, who was introduced to the family two years ago.
Though she has sold original paintings to art collectors in South America, Asia, Europe and the United States, Iris hasn’t had an official exhibition, and her mom isn’t pushing it. For now, Iris’ parents want her to continue using painting as a way to share her voice with the world. “If we stretch ourselves too far, we will lose what we have worked so hard on, which is following Iris’s lead,” Carter-Johnson told The Mighty. “That’s what this was always and will always be about. That’s what the paintings mean, they are a way for Iris to express herself and for us to connect.”
“She is happy when she paints, sometimes elated, excited, then at other times it calms her,” Carter-Johnson told The Mighty. “For me, I hope this book spreads a message of hope and how different is brilliant.”
“Iris Grace” was published in hardcover by Penguin Books on Feb. 25.
“She is happy when she paints, sometimes elated, excited, then at other times it calms her,” Carter-Johnson told The Mighty. “For me, I hope this book spreads a message of hope and how different is brilliant.”
For more information about Iris Grace and her art, visit her website, Facebook page and you can order her book on Book Depository.
All images courtesy of Arabella Carter-Johnson.
SOURCE: http://themighty.com/2016/02/photo-...year-olds-journey-in-international-art-world/
