Marla Olmstead: Little Picasso or pretender?
Categories: Just for moms, Preschoolers, Just for dads, Media
Back in 2004, when most 4-year-olds are playing with dolls and having teddy bear tea parties, 4-year-old Marla Olmstead was taking the art world by storm. With some comparing her to Picasso, her brightly colored abstract paintings were selling for tens of thousands of dollars and the little prodigy was well on her way to become quite rich.About three years ago, wanting to tell the fascinating story of this pint-sized prodigy and examine the world of abstract art, Amir Bar-Lev set about to make a documentary featuring the little girl. But something happened along the way and the resulting film, My Kid Could Paint That, leaves doubt as to whether or not Marla actually painted the works herself.
"I wish I could give you a clear answer to that," Bar-Lev told ABC News' Cynthia McFadden. "In my heart of hearts, I have a very hard time believing that a 4-year-old did all of those paintings. But I want to add that I have a very hard time believing that her parents would be behind an exploitation of their kid."
He says he didn't go into the project to discredit the family, but in the many hours he spent with the Olmsteads, he says he never saw her paint anything like the works she has become known for. Is she truly a prodigy or did her father, or someone else, help her create her works of art? The question remains unanswered in the film, which premiered at Sundance last year and opens this week in New York and Los Angeles.
The paintings, whoever did them, are beautiful. And while they do seem advanced for a child of that age, after taking this Is It Art? Quiz, I've discovered I am not a very good judge.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kelsey 10-08-2007 @ 2:30PM
The most important part of creating art is knowing at what point to step away from the canvas and know you have done all you can with it. Most four year olds do not have this capacity. Neither do these kids recieve speciality art supplies to create their tiny masterpieces. In Marla's case, I think her father (an amateur artist) saw some artwork that she did and bought her canvases, paints and brushes. He may have suggested when she should stop. (A "Don't you think your painting is done, honey?" can be pretty convincing.)
She may be a prodigy (how would I know?). Personally, I believe her father is a greater, subconcious influence on her art than anyone realises. Does that mean she did not actually create orginal masterpieces? I don't think anyone knows the answer to that question.
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Caelligh 10-08-2007 @ 2:41PM
That quiz is misguided and actually a little offensive. Who's to say an object isn't art just because a child created it rather than a professional artist?
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Misty 10-09-2007 @ 11:15AM
I'm with Caelligh. The best pictures in that silly quiz were the ones done by the four-year-olds.
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Brandi 10-10-2007 @ 1:05AM
personally I think the four year olds should be the professional artist I could draw a black circle and I could do the red, yellow crap..... and I do no possess one artistic bone in my body. I would rather look at all the four year olds pictures in agallery any day as opessed to some over-rated professionals!
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Brandi 10-10-2007 @ 1:06AM
oops! I meant to go back and double check my grammer and spelling but accidentally spilt something and then hit the send button on accident too!
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