i wanted to believe the story so much after watching the documentary, because she looks like she does have talent and the family did seem genuine, but this piece really just isnt as good as the older ones that she claim to have painted
The family found an easy way to scam idiots out of their money. Hats off to em. Marla is a kid who does child like paintings no different that any other kid on the planet. She's no prodigy in any sense of the word but the parents are smart enough salesmen to get good money out of something normally having no monetary value whatsoever.
There This 10 year old girl on utube called RheeaJChannel she is very talented at art! Check her channel out and she show how she drew it as Proof she DID IT!
If I may explain about "abstract" art? (and modern art in general.) When photography was invented (in the 19th century) painters couldn´t compete. (also unneccesary.) So they thought "Can we paint in some other way?" (after all art is an EXPRESSION of oneself. And not supposed to imitate photography.) So they started. First out (roughly) were the impressionists! Who in turn inspired van Gogh! (and so on.)
@ellandelachapelle And, then you have the "abstract" artists of today, who in the total sense of the word, are TERRIBLE artists. They draw / paint in abstract, not because they desire to express themselves that way, but because it is the ONLY way they can express themselves with a pen / pencil / paintbrush. And, who feeds this bull shit? The folks who sell this crap. No real artist would sincerely put "artist" and "abstract" int he same sentence.
Abstract and pointillism are my two favourite types of art. I paint a lot of abstract to go around my school for band. I love incorporating music into the art. Abstract gives off many feelings -especially abstract sculptures. I am not trying to be rude here, but I am sure you are no "real artist" in the sense of a high-paid artist. A true artist accepts art in all the ways possible. Whatever. If you don't get what I am saying, sorry I am tried.
Well you know Mozart composed at 5! You think his father did it??? Also Picasso painted some amazing things when HE was 5. Some people are just geniuses!
The paintings that her parents claim she has painted express some emotions that I believe is not understandable for a 5 year old. For example one of her paintings expresses melancholy (at least i interpretate it like that) and what would that innocent creature on the video know about that?
Just finished seeing the movie.... I got the impression that daddy did most of the painting. All the paintings she does on camera are very different from the others including this video. The ones on video always look more sloppy 4-year old while the others have more adult ideas, like "zane dancing" or "purse" ...such smooth organized expressions that you don't see on her recorded works. It's sucks to think the parents would do that, it's not what i want to believe at all.
its called abstract painting guys! the reason people pay so much for it is because she manages to use so much color in a coherent idea without making it messy or sloppy. its harder than it looks.
@Alisaspear1 Thats not what i said so before you respond maybe you should read more carefully. ( I hope you are being sarcastic, its hard to tell in writing but I'm sure you are) anyways I still believe that this little girl new what she was doing
okay, so I just watched the movie as well and I too question some of the work she has done.Mainly the work that involves a lot of brush work, seems like too much focus would have to be involved for such a young child. But at the same time I do believe that she did the paintings and was misleading people on purpose to be a brat. that is what i saw in the film let me know if you agree.
Just finished seeing the movie....Guys please give this family and the child some credit....this family has been adding to the rich culture of art.I doesn't matter who did the paintings what matters is they have been bringing out such beautiful art to the society. Half of the flipping world doesn't know about art and painting. But the little angle does...so shut u'r flipping mouths up and try to appreciate what's been comming out of her and her father......god I hate to be human!
Abstract art is bullshit. Whether its a four year old painting it, or her father, its still bullshit and anyone who pays thousands for some paint spalshed on a canvas isnt really being conned. Who cares whether she or her father spalshed the paint on the canvas, its still jus paint splashed on a canvas. I have no sympathy for those who bought this "art", they are deluded. A prodigy is someone with an outstanding talent, random paints on a canvas requires no talent at all.
@Shiftee88 i know what you mean, i have the same view. i think its alright to do 'meaningful' abstract art if its personal and you dont intend on trying to make it big, thats also how i view some photography. its insulting to talent.
i seen the program tonite with her in it and i think she did all her own work to me the paintings looked like a typical kids work why their making a huge deal off it i dunno maybe their exploiting her but shell be 11 now and if she still paints who knows im shure she has made up her own mind in what she wants to do but shes a real cute little kid reminds me of Sadie Brown from Toddlers and Tiaras
when you are young you tend to not know what is going on and your imagination is boundless... when you grow up and blow up as this girl did things change.. her day to day life and home life changed drastically and obviously that is going to affect her painting... case and point.. think of one music artist or actor that blew up and didnt make a few shit cd's or movies... (and you cant say leonardo dicaprio)
Remember, the father only painted four paintings for art therapy. He's not an artist. If making a Jackson Pollack is so easy, maybe that's the real story.
The fascination with child prodigies is a very weird sickness that we have. So when we meet one we have to discredit her/him. With ART,specially abstract art. The decider in the end is the person who pays the money exposing the painting as valuable. These are painting drawn by a child?WHO CARES IF SHE GOT HELP? HOW the F$ did Mozart start again, who was encouraging him? not sure, any artists out there who are commenting on the involvement of her dad in this, is OBVIOUSLY jealous of the attention
i think she did some of them but her dad definately added some finishing touches to them, but if they really are telling the truth no one will ever really now....
I have a MA an early childhood special education and am a artist who focuses in realism. As an educator it is devastating to hear the ignorance of the community that surounds me. As I looked at her paintings and the progression of her work with her age, I see natural writing development. Children will start with circles/ squiggles. They will then create circles or shapes with things inside of them. Later they will add letter forms (things that look like letters) and finally letters.
se pintar asi pero nunca se me ocurrio invertir lo que sale un pomo de pintura para ver s i ograba vender mis cuadros inexistentes . la admiro y esto es felicidad
If she did this painting by herself..this is not a normal painting by a 3,4,5,6 or even 7 year old..she is patient and well focused that's something you will not find in little kids...looking at all her alleged work..or that which is accredited to have by done by her hand..if you have any kind of inner vision..you will know which work she had done..and what she was overly assisted with...this piece of art is not a normal child's painting..you're stupid and can not see a child's gifts.
planetery how could you deny the fact of how the father freaks out when the little Marla starts asking him for help, it's obvious it's a scam, "My Kid Could Paint That" it's not about unrevealing, it's neutral, you choose what to believe, but seriously talking, it's hard to believe that the girl it's a prodigy after you watch her paint "Flowers" and "Ocean", those two are no that impressive compared to the others, the dad is a frustrated artist, so he USES his baby, a shame on him really...
is the best I have seen it if no one has to deny it is incredible that so is very good snake is a promising future awaits you so that nothing of gossip as the ocean will clarify everything apart that is now larger so you can not deny Do not trouble to the family and leave the children with the freedom they deserve many congratulations on his paintings
apparently there's a video of her painting with people there but she panics & asks her dad to help paint things for her. a psychologist who watched her felt they were watching an average child painting, not a child prodigist.
kids aren't naturally born with the art techniques & knowledge of colour theory, composition, perspective etc. that has learnt and perfected over years of practice. it took Da Vinci years and if these kids are child prodigies/geniuses, it should be the same for them.
Prodigy or gifted Childs make their own art, and taught themselfs art, i.e, when a 3 y/o pick a guitar and start making some sounds, then in a week, has a writen song, or in a year, they already talk, or with a piano, but all s done WITHOUT ANY HELP.
You can not force a child to paint for hours on end (i've worked with children for years), if she wasn't happy she would not be absorbed in the activity, if there was a comparison with another "average 4 year old , I'm sure the results would be far different. Why can't people be happy to see a happy child 'enjoying the moment'? If your cihld showed a talent for tennis or foootball, would a you not 'encourage' your child to go further, what is the difference? P.s YOU need HELP SPELLING!
@jubags111 LOLWHUT? You sir are a retard... BTW, YOU need to go back to school and learn how to spell, LOL, and you say that you´ve been working with children for years? Poor Kids...
Dalí was the first to really anderstand modern art, no matter how good you are or bad is all show bisness, and the parents really get that, if they were really interested in their child hapiness and safe then end the circus , please.
i have no doubt in my mind that this child is sweet and innocent, but her art is really nothing special. just the materials she uses. this is proof of the decline of artistic ideas, where a four year old can paint naturally, and people still call it a work of genius and buy these perfectly normal paintings for millions.
What people found genious was "her" 1st jobs. None of them on film. The ones that are, people find them uninteresting. They´re not done by the same person. If the father is the autor, it's irrelevant. That person was the one art apreciatours praised. She will be part of history nomather what. One day "her" work can be worth a lot just because they're the "scam" paintings. To own a "false" painting can be profitable in years to come... who knows? Poor lady with the Mickey Mouse!
Yes, you are right, Marla's father should NOT have tried to hide the fact that he helped his daughter with her art. I know about this first hand because my son started painting at 1 year old:
They say children and Drunks always tell the truth. Well, Marla tells the Truth in the film about her brother painting and her father Helping. Also, the fact that she is a 4 Year old Makes it impossible
for her to "Hide" or to even Know what she should or Shouldn't say. She is still an innocent soul, for how
And if you pay attention, her father doesn´t talk with her when she takes the issue to the table. "Who paints What" is not a welcome conversation and the child is ignored when speacking of her brother paintings. Sad! Great kids, though!
There are some paintings in the gallery at her website. The fine ones are painted by her father and the shitty ones are painted by the kid. Like this one. That's it. How you could paint abstract art if you don't have an abstract mind yet? i smell BULLSHIT in the air. In some of "her" paintings you can see a concept. It can be abstract and all but there's a concept that a kid can't interpret nor paint. Find a painting called "KEY TREE". Her dad is a cunning guy. Props for that.
i just saw the documentary today n i m agree with the persons who said theres some paints more pulished than others but i still belive the this girl has somthing great
i m not sure about a JERHxART coment is a child of 9 yr old but she doesnt paint like one, a 9 yrsold girls paint a smiley faces, poppys, hauses with trees, butterflys. they dont paint abstract art
I personally have a difficult time understanding how this girl could possibly be a phony. I don't believe she is one, I genuinly believe that she has some sort of gift for this. Her paintings are absolutely beautiful, and I agree with jo0k (below me) that time will reveal her true capacity. But for now, let's just enjoy her awesome paintings! ^^ Go Marla!
I watched the documentary and I was reminded of something: there are people who will always first try to bring down things they aren't or weren't capable of doing before giving credit to the things they wish they could do. There is no way to prove anything you want, so the best move for everyone is to let this young girl have a normal life without the ridicule. Instead let Marla and time reveal her own true creativity. To me the mystery behind it makes the art that much more valuable, right now.
even if her dad help her, most of the work is hers. Althought i do think its fucked up for her family to sell the paintings as if Marla did them all by herself, now all the dad has done is expose her daughter to the artistic world and exploite her. She's awesome! but his dad sucks!
BS its Freud. people bought them b/c it was amazing painting by a child 'one of a kind'. i collect sports memorabilia and if i found out i bought a fake autograph I'd be raising hell to get my money back
fucking idiots go get a life and learn some painting even a 4 yrs old kick our asses and no its not imposible you retard for a 4 year old girl to do it
it might look like it is impossible for someone like you
i bet u cant even get a pencil and draw a fucking hand
so stop saying its fraud and yeah her dad can help her out with some advices didnt your dad never told you what to do when you were 4? or 6? DAMN STUPID PEOPLE
Watch the documentary-several times the kid refers her dad jumping in and working on her paintings! My grandkids turn out stuff like this every time they sit at my table with paint and glitter glue! If she were turning out Rembrandts, I would say the talent is all her, but what she does is mix colors around and dribble paint on and how on earth is this selling as some genius work of art? To me it just reinforces the fact that there are a lot of dumb people out there with money to burn.
Marla's father has obviously been instructing her intensively. Why is that being regarded so negatively? All creative people, even "geniuses", go through a period of training. They've been advised and instructed and helped to bring out the best of their talents. Mark Olmstead's mistake was to try to hide from the public his role as teacher and facilitator and to be emberrassed about it. The value and the price of a painting are unrelated. Marla's paintings are lovely - that's all that matters.
i just watched the movie last night too... I'm not sure what to make of it. I think the paintings are brilliant and wonderful and I can't stop wondering if the Dad is the artist why he would 1. put his girl through this 2. have her take credit for his amazing work??? He could just as easily have his own shows and sell the paintings... I like what the NY Times art critic said at the end
A total fraud. Physically impossible for a 4-year old (at the time) to stand over a large canvas and produce a long (3-foot or more) Pollock-like controlled paint drip line. Why is Marla never seen employing this technique? It's because it was physically impossible for her to do. Look at any of the Pollock-like works. Obviously made by an adult. No one ever bothered to ask how Marla produced those lines? A transparent fraud. NIcely done Olmsteaders (Marla included).
well, perhaps her mom or her dad held her while she did the pollock-like lines, itd be a bit of cheating, i agree, but most of the work would still be hers.
I saw the DVD and cant stand her father he got a phony smile and makes distorted facial expressions. but he's got a good looking wife this tell s one something you can be a revolting guy and still get a good looking women
The problem with your comment is that there is at least one video of her doing some of the more controlled painting on the website and she is definitely doing it herself. While ocean does not show that type of control, some others do.
I just saw the movie, I thought it would be funny about how a 4 year old could do abstract art better than most abstract artists. I'm a painter, but I do more realism, but there is no way that girl finished some of those paintings. I think it was definitely a colaboration between the 2 of them. I think she might have started out on her own, but when they started selling her dad probably made a bunch as well. Some of those were far to intricate, and with much finer detail. Child exploitation.
Sad but have to agree. Just watched it on Netflix and thought it would be a inspiring film for my 8 year old...luckily he fell asleep and never got the full quackery of there parents and friends.
Sad but have to agree. Just watched it on Netflix and thought it would be a n inspiring film for my 8 year old...luckily he fell asleep and never got the full quackery of there parents and friends.
I just watched the film..literally 10min ago..I feel soooo sorry for Marla, Zane, and her mom.. Her dad helping her is an issue with some, but for me IDK either way. We all help our kids become their best when we see them becoming talented in an area..(ie baseball, soccer) Marla's mom seems to be genuine.. Not so sure about her dad.. He really seems a little..UMMM.. IDK..Its like when you see someone on the news when their family member is missing and U kinda think they're the reason why..
Just saw the documentary by Bar-Lev. Fascinating stuff - there are so many issues that are involved here - what is art? what is talent? does talent happen in a vacuum? how is the monetary value of the art derived? does the monetary value matter in art? will we ever know the extent the father has influence (after all he is her father ...) ... someone once said everyone is two questions away from the limit of their knowledge.
Marla is my cousion and she really does the art. Her father, mark is an amazing artist but he doesnt do marlas work for her. Her grandfather is my grandmom brother my moms uncle.Her brother zane is sooo cute. Her mom Laura is a great mom.
This is what I do not understand about Art, when we purchase a piece of art, do we buy the artist? Barthes says that when an author produces a piece of literature, he/she is fully removed from it: the death of the author. How is this any different in painting? Who the author was and is is irrelevant, shouldn't we only be concerned about the art itself? The focus on 'genius' and 'child prodigy's' simply distracts from the main focus: the art. In the end, the artist is unimportant.
ieatgluexxx. The painter's name most certainly has everything to do with the price of a painting. I've seen many paintings by Picasso that I wouldn't put them in my house and if somebody didn't know they are made by him, they would worth next to nothing. For the same reason Marla's father might say Marla entirely did the paintings, because they would be a lot more valuable if they were done by a child, instead of an adult. It would be interesting if we could also see paintings made by her dad
Dali could have been 5 years old, or his wife could have painted them. It would go without question that they are something to treasure. That goes for truely amazing paintings with unknown origins, and unknown stories as well.
It only confirms the fact that you are buying a story, not a painting anymore. A conversation piece. Things get recognition when stones are thrown at someone, or where controversy is started. Same as in the entertainment industry. Tabloids etc. What a complex fabrication society has become!
advertising. That is the reason for every sale. The skeptics have sold paintings, the people filled with anger have sold paintings, and those who are naive have sold paintings. None of this really matters, but matters so much for sales. there are endless human emotions that factor into this story. In the end it shouldnt matter if the father even painted it. Who cares.
I think she does the paintings, but her dad finishes off the ones that look extremely finished and polished.
Or maybe it's the pressure she feels and can't do as well when people tell her to. She probably only paints with emotion, not to get another finished piece.
Idk, though, not saying I don't think it's her, but her dad did have that guilt on his face when he was watching 60 minutes when they brought up that people think he's doing her paintings. He looks suspicious to me....
did you see the whole doc? in the end when Marla said "well? tell me what to do daddy" And the famous ?"okay its your turn now daddy" that was classic! Poor baby im glad shes out of the spotlight, now she can go play.
I think "Ocean" is just as great as her others.. Even better than some of her others!! What is your problem!! Each one is unique!! That's what makes it her's and art.. "Ocean" is Beautiful!! Marla is Creative!
at this point dad has coached , but i believe that the genius is hers, time will tell of course lets see whats she is doing in a few years. but some of the stuff is just brilliant!
I see a lot of people seemingly very invested in convincing others that Marla's work is not entirely her own. Not sure why it's so desperately important to them that we all share their beliefs. I'm no art expert, but I like the way her paintings make me feel when I look at them. They just feel so joyful. No matter who painted them. But after watching the documentary, I believe this is Marla's work.
very well put shani , in my opinion they say that her work is bold and free but what child knows what this actually means? that is why its so easy for her to be so bold and and so free shes a little girl having fun, in a way its capturing her soul and for the paintings that didnt look consistent to her usual well all of us artist have bad days and well who works well with a camera on them. the 60 minutes piece was horrendous and they should be ashamed of what they have done. this kid is amazing!
I am a photographer. Actually a photojournalist, and if anyone ever told me that my picture should look like this or that, I would be pissed off and tell them to "f"off. Look, artists are artists, period. There is no "right" or "wrong" way to be an artist, no matter where your field of artistry lies.
Regardless of location ,if the girl loves to paint, then she paints! If its your passion, does the location matter? From what I have seen, there is no reason to believe that she is not painting them herself. Another thing to keep in mind, she is a very young child, doing an amazing thing, so what if she wants Dad or her Brother to help with a painting? Maybe she likes sharing one of the great joys in her life with her family! Do people write books entirely on their own? No, the same goes for art
I'm sorry for all of you mean spirited people, I watched the documentary also and I saw what they wanted you to see. She was four and kids say the darndest things at the worst times. She probably asked her dad to paint a face because that is what he paints on HIS paintings. But did you ever see her paint a true human face in her work?No. If you watched the documentary with an OPEN mind AND EYES, they showed her painting "Ocean" from beginning to end.
ocean is very different from all of "her" other work. it has distinct representations, and it is not half as polished as her other works (the ones that were NOT captured on hidden video).
i had my doubts after watching the movie. but i know that he was helping her, anyone who watches the painful scenes with marla and her dad can clearly see that. the fact the father denies helping her AT ALL says everything, because he is so involved in the work that he must deny even the smallest contribution.
@shanimation no actually the film of ocean is broken time lapse and anything could have happened in the breaks
the father was definitely lying its written all over him
why didnt he just say he collaborated? and that would have been cute - dad and daughter painting together The paintings are nice - people would have bought them - maybe for less money but even so
This reminds me of a singer called Yma Sumac. She was merchandized as a Peruvian princess who sang every morning for her people who belived her songs made the sun rise. She sold myriads of records until someone discovered her real name was Amy Camus (Yma Sumac spelled backwards), from New York, and had never been to Peru. Some people believe anything.
She is not a prodigy. My daughter is three years old and paints the same way. Plus I dont coach her.. Imagine if I did.. AND IT was sad to see most of her paintings were done in that cold basement. It looked like a sweat shop for painting labor. I hate when people exploit their kids for money. She's going to need a psychologist when she gets older
I just finished watching the documentary..From what I saw its very simple to see. Some of the paintings were polished than the others. Her father did help her out. She said so herself on the documentary. She was waiting for him to tell her what to do and what paint color and tools to you.she even asked her daddy to paint a face for her. Its funny how he tried to pass it off as she was telling a joke. Yeah right. A joke my left foot.
I just finished watching the documentary..From what I saw its very simple to see. Some of the paintings were polished than the others. Her father did help her out. She said so herself on the documentary. She was waiting for him to tell her what to do and what paint color and tools to you.she even asked her daddy to paint a face for her. Its funny how he tried to pass it off as she was telling a joke. Yeah right. A joke my left foot.
Her dad helps her. He buys the paint and supplies. Gives her a home to paint in. Coaches her. Sets her up in a gallery. Promotes her work. She dose the actual painting. She has an amazing eye for flow and color and size. But her art isn't that hard to paint. How can people think she doesn't do the work. Her thumb prints are on the canvases.
But there are allot of dumb people in this world.
i really dont care if her dad helps her. lots of artists outsource their work, and if it is her dad its more like a family operation. I have no problem with that and believe that it is not devalued by such process or less authentic.
I saw the documentary of Marla and when she painted on camera she didnt cover the whole canvas. She also asked her father for help and said that her brother painted a painting. She didnt do all of them.
as an artist myself, I notice that she is very controlled about where she puts the paint. I mean she doesn't just throw the paint around the canvas. She is very deliberate with her painting and so I am now convinced that she really is wise beyond her years at least in the aspect of color balance and composition. some people can see these things easier than others.
The pretty music almost drowns out the sounds of her pathological father saying "PAINT THE RED... PAINT THE RED! YOU'RE DRIVING ME CRAZY! PAINT THE RED!"
I don't believe she did all of her paints without help. However, she's 4 and I think she is allowed help and the paints would still be hers. She pretty much tells him to help her like he usually does in the documentary. So what, when I was little my parents would help me do things. When I started dancing semi professionally at 8/9 my dance teacher was there telling me what to do/don't do, what looks best. I just think they should tell the truth, they didn't do anything wrong by helping her!
It is obvious from the way she adds things on the canvas that she is not controlled or ordered from her father what, how and in which colour she should draw. Even Picasso had a father who was an art teacher. That does not mean that he was not talented or his painting ability was fully taught. We should encourage children to do more artworks!
not to conflict anyones comment on it but i feel as a whole, everyone, we could see something great and talented and just pick apart and make it into something negative and completely hideous instead of excepting that she is a talented little girl ...thats just my opinion
Many steps look set up for her to acheive at least a decent painting She starts with a large canvas/black primer.supplied with large tools in which to paint with at this point, and colors set around the canvas at different locations.The video then changes location where it looks like she is using different shades of white and black and smaller brushes, Which were set up for her for outlining the background.The last location small detail brushes to bring back in bold colors. Maybe just too setup?
I am no artist, but I have taught 4 and 5 y/o kids for the last 21 years. Typical of Kindergartners and preschoolers,are schematic/prescematic drawings, where kids try to create representations of familiar objects and settings. What this kid is doing on this you-tube bit is totally atypical. She may not be a "prodigy"; dad may have "coached" her a bit, but she definitely has talent and passion. Dad could come in and coach one of my Kindergartners tomorrow, and get NOTHING like this from them!
I enjoyed the father's paintings. No, I'm not a painter. But what does that have to do with anything? Some of the greatest art critics don't have that kind of talent. Also, in the 60 min. piece, didn't a child prodigy professional view the painting and claim that they were done by different artists? Do you have a degree in child psychology? If you do, then this conversation is over.
Second, you are, by your own admission, obviously not knowledgeable enough on the subject to discern that Marla's work bears absolutely no stylistic or technical similarity to her father's. If he was really controlling her, you could see the aesthetic through-line. Also, Tiger Woods' dad coached him- why don't we take away all of his accolades since by your rationale they should be his father's?
Are you her mother? You can't prove to me that she did these paintings on her own. This argument is useless, as is your ridiculous way of trying to convince me that she did these paintings. Tiger Woods doesn't go off to play golf alone with his dad, come back saying he got a hole in one on a par 4. He's an athlete and competes on national TV in front of the whole word.And again, what does my KNOWLEDGE on art have to do with the fact that I can look at a painting and think it's appealing or not?
Your knowledge of art is relevant in that if you had a more trained eye, you could plainly see that Marla and her father have completely different compositional values. And color usage. And design aesthetics.
You are bitter and uneducated. In the future, please try not to derive your self esteem from insulting an innocent child.
Bitter and uneducated? Because I have a different opinion than you?
You're taking this personally and I think you need to take a step back. Most people posting on this video have a very similar view as me. Maybe you should concentrate your time on belittling and judging one of them.
No, because you can't see something that is plainly obvious.
It's like if a pygmy tried to show you some zebra tracks- to him it's painfully obvious that a zebra walked by, but all you see is dirt.
If you STILL don't understand, ain't nothing I can tell you...
And 'personally'? Maybe. It just bugs me when ANYONE tries to tear down somebody else's accomplishments, but ESPECIALLY when it'sd an artist, & even more so if it's a kid.
but if you can watch a documentary that clearly shows this and lack the insight to see whats in front of your face I guess there's no point discussing it LMAO
Yeah, but he's NOT a liar. Her dad is not a very good painter *at all*. SHE is. Do the math. He lacks the fundamental ability to paint like that, & if you actually knew anything about painting, you could SEE, quite plainly, by comparing his painting with hers that they bear no similarity whatsoever. Her work has an ENTIRELY different color sense, for instance.
And anything can be interpreted any number of ways when taken out of context.
@planetery I think "trashing a kid" is a little emotional
the kid got caught up in the fiasco of her father doctoring her talented but immature pictures and lying about it even to his own wife
where do you get the impression the father is unable to paint the pictures?
*I'm* a not an artist (- I'm a gifted musician but I'm not a visual artist -) and *I* could do what he did with the kids pictures and so could you - anyone could
Okay, you can tell the difference between Louis Armstrong's trumpet & Miles Davis', right? You can recognize the difference between Bach's sensibility & Rimsky-Korsakov's, or realize there are sounds Jeff Beck will play on a Stratocaster that Eric Clapton will Never be able to make, right? Same thing.
LOL @ "gifted". If you do say so yourself, right? And yeah, trashing a kid. She makes paintings, you go online & post DOZENS of comments saying she's not a real artist. There it is.
@grai Uhhhh, are you SERIOUS? The musician comparisons are an ANALOGY, or do you not get literary stuff either? Comparing the musicians to EACH OTHER, follow me? I'm saying (very simply) that if you know what you're looking at, you can tell the difference between one artist's work and another. If you don't get that, you're TRYING to be obtuse.
I have not seen one single frame of video of her Dad painting a whole pic for her- not in the docu, not in the clip above. You got proof? Link it.
@grai Evidently you're cognitively dissonant, as well, since you fail to realize that saying her Dad painted the pictures *IS*, in fact, tantamount to saying she's not a real artist.
I mean, REALLY. That's basic logic.
Anyway, this is all a perfect example of people seeing what they want to see. At NO POINT in the documentary is it ever proved a con. If you THINK it was, you should re-watch it with the filmmakers' commentary).
@grai Uhhhhh, I AM calm. Calmly telling you you're wrong, but calm nonetheless. YOU are the one who posted excessive negative comments about a child in some sort of amusing yet misguided bipolar freakout.
Anyway, I like how when I posted a cogent and relatively unassailable argument, you tried to switch it up by critiquing my perceived attitude. This is apparently because you don't have anything meaningful to say at this point (or else you'd have said it).
@planetery the kid hands the brush to her dad and says "your turn dad - help me"
and the dad died of embarrassment - guess you missed that bit - and the montage of the paintings done secretly compared to the ones she did herself - missed that too didnt you!!
Yeah, there was also footage of her painting an entire piece all by herself- or did you not notice THAT one? It's called 'Oceans', and it Proves- without a doubt- that she paints her pictures herself.
Like I said- you're picking & choosing which evidence you look at so you can keep on being an ass and trashing A CHILD. It's pretty sad when you really look at it...
Get over it, faggot. That kid is more artist than you will Ever be. ***DONE WITH YOU.***
@planetery thats the 2nd time you have been done with me
there was also a montage in the film of the 2 pictures that she painted next to her dad's work and the difference is obvious
I think you're a bit nuts so I won't sink to your psychotic level of foul language - are you a member of the family?? Why else would someone be so blind
unless of course you are unwell in which case you have my sympathy xx
i dont see anything amazing about her art
coldgoldFTW 1 month ago
does this mean my parent's could of gotten millions for my childhood drawings?
XxheartlessgirxX 2 months ago
i wanted to believe the story so much after watching the documentary, because she looks like she does have talent and the family did seem genuine, but this piece really just isnt as good as the older ones that she claim to have painted
musicpowerz 2 months ago
I totally agree
thecomputernerd01an 3 months ago
The family found an easy way to scam idiots out of their money. Hats off to em. Marla is a kid who does child like paintings no different that any other kid on the planet. She's no prodigy in any sense of the word but the parents are smart enough salesmen to get good money out of something normally having no monetary value whatsoever.
TIKOMIX 5 months ago 8
There This 10 year old girl on utube called RheeaJChannel she is very talented at art! Check her channel out and she show how she drew it as Proof she DID IT!
ForPeopleBored 6 months ago
If I may explain about "abstract" art? (and modern art in general.) When photography was invented (in the 19th century) painters couldn´t compete. (also unneccesary.) So they thought "Can we paint in some other way?" (after all art is an EXPRESSION of oneself. And not supposed to imitate photography.) So they started. First out (roughly) were the impressionists! Who in turn inspired van Gogh! (and so on.)
ellandelachapelle 6 months ago
@ellandelachapelle And, then you have the "abstract" artists of today, who in the total sense of the word, are TERRIBLE artists. They draw / paint in abstract, not because they desire to express themselves that way, but because it is the ONLY way they can express themselves with a pen / pencil / paintbrush. And, who feeds this bull shit? The folks who sell this crap. No real artist would sincerely put "artist" and "abstract" int he same sentence.
thevaliantcrusader 3 weeks ago
@thevaliantcrusader
Abstract and pointillism are my two favourite types of art. I paint a lot of abstract to go around my school for band. I love incorporating music into the art. Abstract gives off many feelings -especially abstract sculptures. I am not trying to be rude here, but I am sure you are no "real artist" in the sense of a high-paid artist. A true artist accepts art in all the ways possible. Whatever. If you don't get what I am saying, sorry I am tried.
HereticCannabis 1 week ago
Well you know Mozart composed at 5! You think his father did it??? Also Picasso painted some amazing things when HE was 5. Some people are just geniuses!
ellandelachapelle 6 months ago
The paintings that her parents claim she has painted express some emotions that I believe is not understandable for a 5 year old. For example one of her paintings expresses melancholy (at least i interpretate it like that) and what would that innocent creature on the video know about that?
thelibarr2 6 months ago
you have to say wich marla because im marla too
9snowhite 7 months ago
its amazing.
i love you marla! you are amazing
sunkistmix 7 months ago
Just finished seeing the movie.... I got the impression that daddy did most of the painting. All the paintings she does on camera are very different from the others including this video. The ones on video always look more sloppy 4-year old while the others have more adult ideas, like "zane dancing" or "purse" ...such smooth organized expressions that you don't see on her recorded works. It's sucks to think the parents would do that, it's not what i want to believe at all.
LIGHTRONIX 8 months ago
I notice that as I mature as an artist, I spend a lot of time trying to remember how to get back to painting the way Marla does.
sn0wgurl 8 months ago
its called abstract painting guys! the reason people pay so much for it is because she manages to use so much color in a coherent idea without making it messy or sloppy. its harder than it looks.
anna12910 8 months ago
and here i am struggling to paint a realistic seascape and this girl sells 24,000 dollar abstract paintings....oh man. :(
vxenon67 8 months ago
@vxenon67 A fool and his money are soon parted. Keep up the REAL art, my friend!
thevaliantcrusader 3 weeks ago
@Alisaspear1 Thats not what i said so before you respond maybe you should read more carefully. ( I hope you are being sarcastic, its hard to tell in writing but I'm sure you are) anyways I still believe that this little girl new what she was doing
AMERICANPRISONER 9 months ago
@AMERICANPRISONER Four-year-olds don't think like that. It was her parents who exploited her that way.
sickofwaitingtables 9 months ago
This girl is brilliant! does anyone know the song?
DreamBIG176 9 months ago
the innocence of creativity lies within children :) reason they are the future :)
SushiBabieL4D 9 months ago
she's sooo cuuute
SushiBabieL4D 9 months ago
okay, so I just watched the movie as well and I too question some of the work she has done.Mainly the work that involves a lot of brush work, seems like too much focus would have to be involved for such a young child. But at the same time I do believe that she did the paintings and was misleading people on purpose to be a brat. that is what i saw in the film let me know if you agree.
AMERICANPRISONER 10 months ago
I can do that on paint why am I not famous
TurtlezCO 10 months ago
Just finished seeing the movie....Guys please give this family and the child some credit....this family has been adding to the rich culture of art.I doesn't matter who did the paintings what matters is they have been bringing out such beautiful art to the society. Half of the flipping world doesn't know about art and painting. But the little angle does...so shut u'r flipping mouths up and try to appreciate what's been comming out of her and her father......god I hate to be human!
abhijitrmathad 10 months ago 7
Abstract art is bullshit. Whether its a four year old painting it, or her father, its still bullshit and anyone who pays thousands for some paint spalshed on a canvas isnt really being conned. Who cares whether she or her father spalshed the paint on the canvas, its still jus paint splashed on a canvas. I have no sympathy for those who bought this "art", they are deluded. A prodigy is someone with an outstanding talent, random paints on a canvas requires no talent at all.
Shiftee88 10 months ago
@Shiftee88 i know what you mean, i have the same view. i think its alright to do 'meaningful' abstract art if its personal and you dont intend on trying to make it big, thats also how i view some photography. its insulting to talent.
MrThedudeman1 10 months ago
The father lived his artistic limelight through her, he was blinded by greed
rorymorris1 10 months ago
i seen the program tonite with her in it and i think she did all her own work to me the paintings looked like a typical kids work why their making a huge deal off it i dunno maybe their exploiting her but shell be 11 now and if she still paints who knows im shure she has made up her own mind in what she wants to do but shes a real cute little kid reminds me of Sadie Brown from Toddlers and Tiaras
freacls 10 months ago
when you are young you tend to not know what is going on and your imagination is boundless... when you grow up and blow up as this girl did things change.. her day to day life and home life changed drastically and obviously that is going to affect her painting... case and point.. think of one music artist or actor that blew up and didnt make a few shit cd's or movies... (and you cant say leonardo dicaprio)
snoweyeball 11 months ago
is it so hard to believe that a child could have talent?
chauncy424 1 year ago
Remember, the father only painted four paintings for art therapy. He's not an artist. If making a Jackson Pollack is so easy, maybe that's the real story.
monkey505boy 1 year ago
The fascination with child prodigies is a very weird sickness that we have. So when we meet one we have to discredit her/him. With ART,specially abstract art. The decider in the end is the person who pays the money exposing the painting as valuable. These are painting drawn by a child?WHO CARES IF SHE GOT HELP? HOW the F$ did Mozart start again, who was encouraging him? not sure, any artists out there who are commenting on the involvement of her dad in this, is OBVIOUSLY jealous of the attention
ca34jun 1 year ago
i think she did some of them but her dad definately added some finishing touches to them, but if they really are telling the truth no one will ever really now....
rougekans1 1 year ago
I have a MA an early childhood special education and am a artist who focuses in realism. As an educator it is devastating to hear the ignorance of the community that surounds me. As I looked at her paintings and the progression of her work with her age, I see natural writing development. Children will start with circles/ squiggles. They will then create circles or shapes with things inside of them. Later they will add letter forms (things that look like letters) and finally letters.
ladiesia 1 year ago
se pintar asi pero nunca se me ocurrio invertir lo que sale un pomo de pintura para ver s i ograba vender mis cuadros inexistentes . la admiro y esto es felicidad
marlayeli 1 year ago
todo es kosa k los papas dirigan el rumbo de los hijos
que fregon el video
GarnacheroSurferozo 1 year ago
This finished product is like stepping in to this child's mind...it's vast territories of wants,needs,desires,joys,sadneses,passions and so on
mactopolis 1 year ago
If she did this painting by herself..this is not a normal painting by a 3,4,5,6 or even 7 year old..she is patient and well focused that's something you will not find in little kids...looking at all her alleged work..or that which is accredited to have by done by her hand..if you have any kind of inner vision..you will know which work she had done..and what she was overly assisted with...this piece of art is not a normal child's painting..you're stupid and can not see a child's gifts.
mactopolis 1 year ago
planetery how could you deny the fact of how the father freaks out when the little Marla starts asking him for help, it's obvious it's a scam, "My Kid Could Paint That" it's not about unrevealing, it's neutral, you choose what to believe, but seriously talking, it's hard to believe that the girl it's a prodigy after you watch her paint "Flowers" and "Ocean", those two are no that impressive compared to the others, the dad is a frustrated artist, so he USES his baby, a shame on him really...
ludivague 1 year ago
es como demasiado bueno para ser verdad...
nenabien10 1 year ago
is the best I have seen it if no one has to deny it is incredible that so is very good snake is a promising future awaits you so that nothing of gossip as the ocean will clarify everything apart that is now larger so you can not deny Do not trouble to the family and leave the children with the freedom they deserve many congratulations on his paintings
buhito25 1 year ago
apparently there's a video of her painting with people there but she panics & asks her dad to help paint things for her. a psychologist who watched her felt they were watching an average child painting, not a child prodigist.
kids aren't naturally born with the art techniques & knowledge of colour theory, composition, perspective etc. that has learnt and perfected over years of practice. it took Da Vinci years and if these kids are child prodigies/geniuses, it should be the same for them.
xopenheartx 1 year ago
abstract art does kinda look like its painted by a 4yr old.
networkse7en 1 year ago
What an eye sore....
MrMonsterkaraoke 2 years ago
Prodigy or gifted Childs make their own art, and taught themselfs art, i.e, when a 3 y/o pick a guitar and start making some sounds, then in a week, has a writen song, or in a year, they already talk, or with a piano, but all s done WITHOUT ANY HELP.
This is a scam.
kalelg4 2 years ago
You can not force a child to paint for hours on end (i've worked with children for years), if she wasn't happy she would not be absorbed in the activity, if there was a comparison with another "average 4 year old , I'm sure the results would be far different. Why can't people be happy to see a happy child 'enjoying the moment'? If your cihld showed a talent for tennis or foootball, would a you not 'encourage' your child to go further, what is the difference? P.s YOU need HELP SPELLING!
jubags111 1 year ago
@jubags111 LOLWHUT? You sir are a retard... BTW, YOU need to go back to school and learn how to spell, LOL, and you say that you´ve been working with children for years? Poor Kids...
kalelg4 1 year ago
@kalelg4 STFU son, english is not my first language, so you imperialist bastard go suck on it. And i never said that i´ve worked with children, WTF?
kalelg4 1 year ago
this has become passe. Her dad needs to put her in a helium balloon and....
rleary1 2 years ago
Dalí was the first to really anderstand modern art, no matter how good you are or bad is all show bisness, and the parents really get that, if they were really interested in their child hapiness and safe then end the circus , please.
lcabosa 2 years ago
i have no doubt in my mind that this child is sweet and innocent, but her art is really nothing special. just the materials she uses. this is proof of the decline of artistic ideas, where a four year old can paint naturally, and people still call it a work of genius and buy these perfectly normal paintings for millions.
scratchmaster101 2 years ago
What people found genious was "her" 1st jobs. None of them on film. The ones that are, people find them uninteresting. They´re not done by the same person. If the father is the autor, it's irrelevant. That person was the one art apreciatours praised. She will be part of history nomather what. One day "her" work can be worth a lot just because they're the "scam" paintings. To own a "false" painting can be profitable in years to come... who knows? Poor lady with the Mickey Mouse!
Manelatsu 2 years ago
@Manelatsu Even that rich lady was saying Ocean "looked like someone else did it"
its only one of two captured on film (broken film with gaps) and the two pictures are so different from the rest
grai 1 year ago
Yes, you are right, Marla's father should NOT have tried to hide the fact that he helped his daughter with her art. I know about this first hand because my son started painting at 1 year old:
watch?v=NPOvHs24gak
watch?v=ge5MxZIeyKc
watch?v=KfMkfqWHSzs
villarte 2 years ago
They say children and Drunks always tell the truth. Well, Marla tells the Truth in the film about her brother painting and her father Helping. Also, the fact that she is a 4 Year old Makes it impossible
for her to "Hide" or to even Know what she should or Shouldn't say. She is still an innocent soul, for how
long could she really lie.
paradeal 2 years ago
And if you pay attention, her father doesn´t talk with her when she takes the issue to the table. "Who paints What" is not a welcome conversation and the child is ignored when speacking of her brother paintings. Sad! Great kids, though!
Manelatsu 2 years ago
There are some paintings in the gallery at her website. The fine ones are painted by her father and the shitty ones are painted by the kid. Like this one. That's it. How you could paint abstract art if you don't have an abstract mind yet? i smell BULLSHIT in the air. In some of "her" paintings you can see a concept. It can be abstract and all but there's a concept that a kid can't interpret nor paint. Find a painting called "KEY TREE". Her dad is a cunning guy. Props for that.
moderjoker 2 years ago
nigga pleas.. just wait she.ll have something black in her belly when she is old enough to give birth.. trust me...
lsmanure 2 years ago
This sweet little girl paints like a child.......and that's exactly what she is !
JERHxART 2 years ago 18
i just saw the documentary today n i m agree with the persons who said theres some paints more pulished than others but i still belive the this girl has somthing great
i m not sure about a JERHxART coment is a child of 9 yr old but she doesnt paint like one, a 9 yrsold girls paint a smiley faces, poppys, hauses with trees, butterflys. they dont paint abstract art
godluialeja 2 years ago 2
@JERHxART
But very gifted
mactopolis 1 year ago
I personally have a difficult time understanding how this girl could possibly be a phony. I don't believe she is one, I genuinly believe that she has some sort of gift for this. Her paintings are absolutely beautiful, and I agree with jo0k (below me) that time will reveal her true capacity. But for now, let's just enjoy her awesome paintings! ^^ Go Marla!
CiiahChan 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
fuck marla
niggaplease47 2 years ago
I watched the documentary and I was reminded of something: there are people who will always first try to bring down things they aren't or weren't capable of doing before giving credit to the things they wish they could do. There is no way to prove anything you want, so the best move for everyone is to let this young girl have a normal life without the ridicule. Instead let Marla and time reveal her own true creativity. To me the mystery behind it makes the art that much more valuable, right now.
jo0k 2 years ago
notice how there aren't any black people in the video
niggaplease47 2 years ago
lol
P0mt3 2 years ago
Who need know how Marla paint and what for.You´ll see her a few years more.Trust her.
diegograyskull 2 years ago
waw... bonito. muy bonito... sorprendente
elzaguanmusic 2 years ago
even if her dad help her, most of the work is hers. Althought i do think its fucked up for her family to sell the paintings as if Marla did them all by herself, now all the dad has done is expose her daughter to the artistic world and exploite her. She's awesome! but his dad sucks!
lordpolidori 2 years ago
BS its Freud. people bought them b/c it was amazing painting by a child 'one of a kind'. i collect sports memorabilia and if i found out i bought a fake autograph I'd be raising hell to get my money back
davidallenroth 2 years ago
buena me gusta como pinta
yoel3877 2 years ago
is nto fraud you idiots
fucking idiots go get a life and learn some painting even a 4 yrs old kick our asses and no its not imposible you retard for a 4 year old girl to do it
it might look like it is impossible for someone like you
i bet u cant even get a pencil and draw a fucking hand
so stop saying its fraud and yeah her dad can help her out with some advices didnt your dad never told you what to do when you were 4? or 6? DAMN STUPID PEOPLE
shes great
deal with it
mena1288 2 years ago
Comment removed
kevinsue 2 years ago
Watch the documentary-several times the kid refers her dad jumping in and working on her paintings! My grandkids turn out stuff like this every time they sit at my table with paint and glitter glue! If she were turning out Rembrandts, I would say the talent is all her, but what she does is mix colors around and dribble paint on and how on earth is this selling as some genius work of art? To me it just reinforces the fact that there are a lot of dumb people out there with money to burn.
kevinsue 2 years ago
Marla's father has obviously been instructing her intensively. Why is that being regarded so negatively? All creative people, even "geniuses", go through a period of training. They've been advised and instructed and helped to bring out the best of their talents. Mark Olmstead's mistake was to try to hide from the public his role as teacher and facilitator and to be emberrassed about it. The value and the price of a painting are unrelated. Marla's paintings are lovely - that's all that matters.
rclrd1 2 years ago 3
I completely agree with you.
BPaola3005 2 years ago
i just watched the movie last night too... I'm not sure what to make of it. I think the paintings are brilliant and wonderful and I can't stop wondering if the Dad is the artist why he would 1. put his girl through this 2. have her take credit for his amazing work??? He could just as easily have his own shows and sell the paintings... I like what the NY Times art critic said at the end
freynekennedy 2 years ago
A total fraud. Physically impossible for a 4-year old (at the time) to stand over a large canvas and produce a long (3-foot or more) Pollock-like controlled paint drip line. Why is Marla never seen employing this technique? It's because it was physically impossible for her to do. Look at any of the Pollock-like works. Obviously made by an adult. No one ever bothered to ask how Marla produced those lines? A transparent fraud. NIcely done Olmsteaders (Marla included).
MonkeyMotordrome 2 years ago 3
well, perhaps her mom or her dad held her while she did the pollock-like lines, itd be a bit of cheating, i agree, but most of the work would still be hers.
lordpolidori 2 years ago
But then shouldn't the father admit this, rather than denying he helped her in any way?
villarte 2 years ago 3
I saw the DVD and cant stand her father he got a phony smile and makes distorted facial expressions. but he's got a good looking wife this tell s one something you can be a revolting guy and still get a good looking women
NiteAngel 2 years ago
What do you think of this toddlers art?
watch?v=NPOvHs24gak
watch?v=ge5MxZIeyKc
watch?v=KfMkfqWHSzs
villarte 2 years ago
@NiteAngel lol
did you see his face when Marla said "your turn dad" BUSTED!!
what a liar
grai 1 year ago
What do you think of this toddlers art?
watch?v=NPOvHs24gak
watch?v=ge5MxZIeyKc
watch?v=KfMkfqWHSzs
villarte 2 years ago
The problem with your comment is that there is at least one video of her doing some of the more controlled painting on the website and she is definitely doing it herself. While ocean does not show that type of control, some others do.
BowedOak1 2 years ago
I just saw the movie, I thought it would be funny about how a 4 year old could do abstract art better than most abstract artists. I'm a painter, but I do more realism, but there is no way that girl finished some of those paintings. I think it was definitely a colaboration between the 2 of them. I think she might have started out on her own, but when they started selling her dad probably made a bunch as well. Some of those were far to intricate, and with much finer detail. Child exploitation.
masterantonio 2 years ago 13
@masterantonio
Sad but have to agree. Just watched it on Netflix and thought it would be a inspiring film for my 8 year old...luckily he fell asleep and never got the full quackery of there parents and friends.
soundincentive 1 year ago
@masterantonio
Sad but have to agree. Just watched it on Netflix and thought it would be a n inspiring film for my 8 year old...luckily he fell asleep and never got the full quackery of there parents and friends.
soundincentive 1 year ago
@masterantonio i'm 13 years old and i began to paint with water colors at 4 and at 12 oils =) can you make me famous!?
mrsherifa 10 months ago
I just watched the film..literally 10min ago..I feel soooo sorry for Marla, Zane, and her mom.. Her dad helping her is an issue with some, but for me IDK either way. We all help our kids become their best when we see them becoming talented in an area..(ie baseball, soccer) Marla's mom seems to be genuine.. Not so sure about her dad.. He really seems a little..UMMM.. IDK..Its like when you see someone on the news when their family member is missing and U kinda think they're the reason why..
saywhich1 2 years ago 2
Just saw the documentary by Bar-Lev. Fascinating stuff - there are so many issues that are involved here - what is art? what is talent? does talent happen in a vacuum? how is the monetary value of the art derived? does the monetary value matter in art? will we ever know the extent the father has influence (after all he is her father ...) ... someone once said everyone is two questions away from the limit of their knowledge.
run369 2 years ago
Marla is my cousion and she really does the art. Her father, mark is an amazing artist but he doesnt do marlas work for her. Her grandfather is my grandmom brother my moms uncle.Her brother zane is sooo cute. Her mom Laura is a great mom.
TwilghterandJonaser 2 years ago
@TwilghterandJonaser why was he so embarrassed when she said "your turn dad"??
he looked as guilty as hell
of course he did the paintings - sorry - watch the documentary again - its obvious
grai 1 year ago
This is what I do not understand about Art, when we purchase a piece of art, do we buy the artist? Barthes says that when an author produces a piece of literature, he/she is fully removed from it: the death of the author. How is this any different in painting? Who the author was and is is irrelevant, shouldn't we only be concerned about the art itself? The focus on 'genius' and 'child prodigy's' simply distracts from the main focus: the art. In the end, the artist is unimportant.
ieatgluexxx 2 years ago 3
the artists makes art for themselves as much as for their audience
cphoover11 2 years ago
ieatgluexxx. The painter's name most certainly has everything to do with the price of a painting. I've seen many paintings by Picasso that I wouldn't put them in my house and if somebody didn't know they are made by him, they would worth next to nothing. For the same reason Marla's father might say Marla entirely did the paintings, because they would be a lot more valuable if they were done by a child, instead of an adult. It would be interesting if we could also see paintings made by her dad
nick1f 2 years ago
dont look like art to me, looks just like a kids painting, seen plenty like them at the local pre school, ha ha its a joke and scam
austgirl34 2 years ago
wrong. this kid is a prodigy. most kids just kids just scribble her art is comparable to the young works of a prodigy
cphoover11 2 years ago
Dali could have been 5 years old, or his wife could have painted them. It would go without question that they are something to treasure. That goes for truely amazing paintings with unknown origins, and unknown stories as well.
ChiefLinesider07 2 years ago 3
It only confirms the fact that you are buying a story, not a painting anymore. A conversation piece. Things get recognition when stones are thrown at someone, or where controversy is started. Same as in the entertainment industry. Tabloids etc. What a complex fabrication society has become!
ChiefLinesider07 2 years ago
advertising. That is the reason for every sale. The skeptics have sold paintings, the people filled with anger have sold paintings, and those who are naive have sold paintings. None of this really matters, but matters so much for sales. there are endless human emotions that factor into this story. In the end it shouldnt matter if the father even painted it. Who cares.
ChiefLinesider07 2 years ago
I think she does the paintings, but her dad finishes off the ones that look extremely finished and polished.
Or maybe it's the pressure she feels and can't do as well when people tell her to. She probably only paints with emotion, not to get another finished piece.
Idk, though, not saying I don't think it's her, but her dad did have that guilt on his face when he was watching 60 minutes when they brought up that people think he's doing her paintings. He looks suspicious to me....
xoxAngelFirexox 2 years ago
did you see the whole doc? in the end when Marla said "well? tell me what to do daddy" And the famous ?"okay its your turn now daddy" that was classic! Poor baby im glad shes out of the spotlight, now she can go play.
lostpinup 2 years ago 3
@xoxAngelFirexox did you see his face when she said "your turn dad" he nearly died
for me from then i knew he'd been lying all along
grai 1 year ago
I think "Ocean" is just as great as her others.. Even better than some of her others!! What is your problem!! Each one is unique!! That's what makes it her's and art.. "Ocean" is Beautiful!! Marla is Creative!
Ambersparkle 3 years ago
shes not that good....
Tim1302 3 years ago
you should see the stuff from the documentary, its good. her dad probably did it tho.
brodieman37 3 years ago
at this point dad has coached , but i believe that the genius is hers, time will tell of course lets see whats she is doing in a few years. but some of the stuff is just brilliant!
ScottCharles1 3 years ago
marla i love uuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!
jossjossella 3 years ago 2
I see a lot of people seemingly very invested in convincing others that Marla's work is not entirely her own. Not sure why it's so desperately important to them that we all share their beliefs. I'm no art expert, but I like the way her paintings make me feel when I look at them. They just feel so joyful. No matter who painted them. But after watching the documentary, I believe this is Marla's work.
rhinohide57 3 years ago 4
very well put shani , in my opinion they say that her work is bold and free but what child knows what this actually means? that is why its so easy for her to be so bold and and so free shes a little girl having fun, in a way its capturing her soul and for the paintings that didnt look consistent to her usual well all of us artist have bad days and well who works well with a camera on them. the 60 minutes piece was horrendous and they should be ashamed of what they have done. this kid is amazing!
spidey3000 3 years ago 3
I am a photographer. Actually a photojournalist, and if anyone ever told me that my picture should look like this or that, I would be pissed off and tell them to "f"off. Look, artists are artists, period. There is no "right" or "wrong" way to be an artist, no matter where your field of artistry lies.
SheriTatiEvan 3 years ago
Regardless of location ,if the girl loves to paint, then she paints! If its your passion, does the location matter? From what I have seen, there is no reason to believe that she is not painting them herself. Another thing to keep in mind, she is a very young child, doing an amazing thing, so what if she wants Dad or her Brother to help with a painting? Maybe she likes sharing one of the great joys in her life with her family! Do people write books entirely on their own? No, the same goes for art
sharpiesrme 3 years ago 2
I'm sorry for all of you mean spirited people, I watched the documentary also and I saw what they wanted you to see. She was four and kids say the darndest things at the worst times. She probably asked her dad to paint a face because that is what he paints on HIS paintings. But did you ever see her paint a true human face in her work?No. If you watched the documentary with an OPEN mind AND EYES, they showed her painting "Ocean" from beginning to end.
I think she's fabulous!
shanimation 3 years ago
ocean is very different from all of "her" other work. it has distinct representations, and it is not half as polished as her other works (the ones that were NOT captured on hidden video).
i had my doubts after watching the movie. but i know that he was helping her, anyone who watches the painful scenes with marla and her dad can clearly see that. the fact the father denies helping her AT ALL says everything, because he is so involved in the work that he must deny even the smallest contribution.
brodieman37 3 years ago 3
i think she only paints what she feels, she doesn't think that her paintings should look the same. she just paints
BolognaObsession0315 2 years ago
@shanimation no actually the film of ocean is broken time lapse and anything could have happened in the breaks
the father was definitely lying its written all over him
why didnt he just say he collaborated? and that would have been cute - dad and daughter painting together The paintings are nice - people would have bought them - maybe for less money but even so
he got himself in way over his head
grai 1 year ago
This reminds me of a singer called Yma Sumac. She was merchandized as a Peruvian princess who sang every morning for her people who belived her songs made the sun rise. She sold myriads of records until someone discovered her real name was Amy Camus (Yma Sumac spelled backwards), from New York, and had never been to Peru. Some people believe anything.
russ56734 3 years ago
She is not a prodigy. My daughter is three years old and paints the same way. Plus I dont coach her.. Imagine if I did.. AND IT was sad to see most of her paintings were done in that cold basement. It looked like a sweat shop for painting labor. I hate when people exploit their kids for money. She's going to need a psychologist when she gets older
GreenMoneyInc 3 years ago 3
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I just finished watching the documentary..From what I saw its very simple to see. Some of the paintings were polished than the others. Her father did help her out. She said so herself on the documentary. She was waiting for him to tell her what to do and what paint color and tools to you.she even asked her daddy to paint a face for her. Its funny how he tried to pass it off as she was telling a joke. Yeah right. A joke my left foot.
GreenMoneyInc 3 years ago
I just finished watching the documentary..From what I saw its very simple to see. Some of the paintings were polished than the others. Her father did help her out. She said so herself on the documentary. She was waiting for him to tell her what to do and what paint color and tools to you.she even asked her daddy to paint a face for her. Its funny how he tried to pass it off as she was telling a joke. Yeah right. A joke my left foot.
GreenMoneyInc 3 years ago 2
Her dad helps her. He buys the paint and supplies. Gives her a home to paint in. Coaches her. Sets her up in a gallery. Promotes her work. She dose the actual painting. She has an amazing eye for flow and color and size. But her art isn't that hard to paint. How can people think she doesn't do the work. Her thumb prints are on the canvases.
But there are allot of dumb people in this world.
mikek7654321 3 years ago 3
i really dont care if her dad helps her. lots of artists outsource their work, and if it is her dad its more like a family operation. I have no problem with that and believe that it is not devalued by such process or less authentic.
JonathanHancock 3 years ago
I saw the documentary of Marla and when she painted on camera she didnt cover the whole canvas. She also asked her father for help and said that her brother painted a painting. She didnt do all of them.
msinfamouso 3 years ago 3
"Art" means nothing, it's what you do with the word.
she paints like a 4 year old.
vidgamer77 3 years ago
as an artist myself, I notice that she is very controlled about where she puts the paint. I mean she doesn't just throw the paint around the canvas. She is very deliberate with her painting and so I am now convinced that she really is wise beyond her years at least in the aspect of color balance and composition. some people can see these things easier than others.
briannakerwood 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Id hit it in a few years
vuttondon 3 years ago
I wish I could paint like that.
mikek7654321 3 years ago
The pretty music almost drowns out the sounds of her pathological father saying "PAINT THE RED... PAINT THE RED! YOU'RE DRIVING ME CRAZY! PAINT THE RED!"
Almost.
spiderhgoodlegs 3 years ago 5
I don't believe she did all of her paints without help. However, she's 4 and I think she is allowed help and the paints would still be hers. She pretty much tells him to help her like he usually does in the documentary. So what, when I was little my parents would help me do things. When I started dancing semi professionally at 8/9 my dance teacher was there telling me what to do/don't do, what looks best. I just think they should tell the truth, they didn't do anything wrong by helping her!
ddwalter 3 years ago 3
wow!!!! Do your thing girl
phokoff79 3 years ago
I think she is talented.
Maybe a genius.
Obviously cute.
I love how she draws.
Her art is just amazing.
I really hope she grows up well.
erkaprka 3 years ago
It is obvious from the way she adds things on the canvas that she is not controlled or ordered from her father what, how and in which colour she should draw. Even Picasso had a father who was an art teacher. That does not mean that he was not talented or his painting ability was fully taught. We should encourage children to do more artworks!
ActivistEducator 3 years ago 5
not to conflict anyones comment on it but i feel as a whole, everyone, we could see something great and talented and just pick apart and make it into something negative and completely hideous instead of excepting that she is a talented little girl ...thats just my opinion
DOPEFRESH247 3 years ago 2
Many steps look set up for her to acheive at least a decent painting She starts with a large canvas/black primer.supplied with large tools in which to paint with at this point, and colors set around the canvas at different locations.The video then changes location where it looks like she is using different shades of white and black and smaller brushes, Which were set up for her for outlining the background.The last location small detail brushes to bring back in bold colors. Maybe just too setup?
wonderwolfdog 3 years ago
I am no artist, but I have taught 4 and 5 y/o kids for the last 21 years. Typical of Kindergartners and preschoolers,are schematic/prescematic drawings, where kids try to create representations of familiar objects and settings. What this kid is doing on this you-tube bit is totally atypical. She may not be a "prodigy"; dad may have "coached" her a bit, but she definitely has talent and passion. Dad could come in and coach one of my Kindergartners tomorrow, and get NOTHING like this from them!
whatagrl44 3 years ago 4
@whatagrl44 I agree but the dad should have just been honest about how much he helps her and none of the controversy would have happened
grai 1 year ago
I like hamburgers.
atomic3939 3 years ago
Opinions are like ass holes. We all have them.
I enjoyed the father's paintings. No, I'm not a painter. But what does that have to do with anything? Some of the greatest art critics don't have that kind of talent. Also, in the 60 min. piece, didn't a child prodigy professional view the painting and claim that they were done by different artists? Do you have a degree in child psychology? If you do, then this conversation is over.
DeeperTB 3 years ago
LMFAO
First off, you responded to the wrong comment.
Second, you are, by your own admission, obviously not knowledgeable enough on the subject to discern that Marla's work bears absolutely no stylistic or technical similarity to her father's. If he was really controlling her, you could see the aesthetic through-line. Also, Tiger Woods' dad coached him- why don't we take away all of his accolades since by your rationale they should be his father's?
planetery 3 years ago
Are you her mother? You can't prove to me that she did these paintings on her own. This argument is useless, as is your ridiculous way of trying to convince me that she did these paintings. Tiger Woods doesn't go off to play golf alone with his dad, come back saying he got a hole in one on a par 4. He's an athlete and competes on national TV in front of the whole word.And again, what does my KNOWLEDGE on art have to do with the fact that I can look at a painting and think it's appealing or not?
DeeperTB 3 years ago
Your knowledge of art is relevant in that if you had a more trained eye, you could plainly see that Marla and her father have completely different compositional values. And color usage. And design aesthetics.
You are bitter and uneducated. In the future, please try not to derive your self esteem from insulting an innocent child.
planetery 3 years ago
Bitter and uneducated? Because I have a different opinion than you?
You're taking this personally and I think you need to take a step back. Most people posting on this video have a very similar view as me. Maybe you should concentrate your time on belittling and judging one of them.
DeeperTB 3 years ago
No, because you can't see something that is plainly obvious.
It's like if a pygmy tried to show you some zebra tracks- to him it's painfully obvious that a zebra walked by, but all you see is dirt.
If you STILL don't understand, ain't nothing I can tell you...
And 'personally'? Maybe. It just bugs me when ANYONE tries to tear down somebody else's accomplishments, but ESPECIALLY when it'sd an artist, & even more so if it's a kid.
I am offenDED because your attitude is offenSIVE.
planetery 3 years ago 3
@DeeperTB why did she say "your turn dad" ??
and why did he look like he was going to shit his pants?
he lied - no question - its all on camera
grai 1 year ago
@planetery why did she say "your turn dad" ??
and why did he look as guilty as hell and start gabbling afterwards to try and gloss it over??
grai 1 year ago
@grai
I have a BETTER question- why are you going out of your way to discredit a 4-year-old girl on a public message board?
LMFAO
Anyway, when YOU become a painter, we'll talk. Until then...
planetery 1 year ago
@planetery at least I'm not a liar using my kids
but if you can watch a documentary that clearly shows this and lack the insight to see whats in front of your face I guess there's no point discussing it LMAO
grai 1 year ago
@grai
Yeah, but he's NOT a liar. Her dad is not a very good painter *at all*. SHE is. Do the math. He lacks the fundamental ability to paint like that, & if you actually knew anything about painting, you could SEE, quite plainly, by comparing his painting with hers that they bear no similarity whatsoever. Her work has an ENTIRELY different color sense, for instance.
And anything can be interpreted any number of ways when taken out of context.
And it's still sad that you're trashing a kid...
planetery 1 year ago
@planetery I think "trashing a kid" is a little emotional
the kid got caught up in the fiasco of her father doctoring her talented but immature pictures and lying about it even to his own wife
where do you get the impression the father is unable to paint the pictures?
*I'm* a not an artist (- I'm a gifted musician but I'm not a visual artist -) and *I* could do what he did with the kids pictures and so could you - anyone could
grai 1 year ago
@grai
Okay, you can tell the difference between Louis Armstrong's trumpet & Miles Davis', right? You can recognize the difference between Bach's sensibility & Rimsky-Korsakov's, or realize there are sounds Jeff Beck will play on a Stratocaster that Eric Clapton will Never be able to make, right? Same thing.
LOL @ "gifted". If you do say so yourself, right? And yeah, trashing a kid. She makes paintings, you go online & post DOZENS of comments saying she's not a real artist. There it is.
planetery 1 year ago
@planetery ok - time to calm down LOL
The paintings are nowhere near the standard of artistry Louis Armstrong achieved with his trumpet
I'm saying the dad did them and lied about it which you seem to have a hard time taking on board or even recognising even tho he was filmed doing it
please show me the quote where I say she's not a real artist
grai 1 year ago
@grai Uhhhh, are you SERIOUS? The musician comparisons are an ANALOGY, or do you not get literary stuff either? Comparing the musicians to EACH OTHER, follow me? I'm saying (very simply) that if you know what you're looking at, you can tell the difference between one artist's work and another. If you don't get that, you're TRYING to be obtuse.
I have not seen one single frame of video of her Dad painting a whole pic for her- not in the docu, not in the clip above. You got proof? Link it.
planetery 1 year ago
@grai Evidently you're cognitively dissonant, as well, since you fail to realize that saying her Dad painted the pictures *IS*, in fact, tantamount to saying she's not a real artist.
I mean, REALLY. That's basic logic.
Anyway, this is all a perfect example of people seeing what they want to see. At NO POINT in the documentary is it ever proved a con. If you THINK it was, you should re-watch it with the filmmakers' commentary).
planetery 1 year ago
@planetery I thought I told you to calm down
grai 1 year ago
@grai Uhhhhh, I AM calm. Calmly telling you you're wrong, but calm nonetheless. YOU are the one who posted excessive negative comments about a child in some sort of amusing yet misguided bipolar freakout.
Anyway, I like how when I posted a cogent and relatively unassailable argument, you tried to switch it up by critiquing my perceived attitude. This is apparently because you don't have anything meaningful to say at this point (or else you'd have said it).
I think we're done here...
planetery 1 year ago
@planetery you have the insight of a fence post
grai 1 year ago
@grai
You also ignored the challenge- you say you've seen video proof of her dad painting the pictures for her, well LINK IT.
It's NOT in the "My Kid Could Paint That" documentary, so where is this smoking gun evidence of yours?
planetery 1 year ago
@planetery the kid hands the brush to her dad and says "your turn dad - help me"
and the dad died of embarrassment - guess you missed that bit - and the montage of the paintings done secretly compared to the ones she did herself - missed that too didnt you!!
grai 1 year ago
Yeah, there was also footage of her painting an entire piece all by herself- or did you not notice THAT one? It's called 'Oceans', and it Proves- without a doubt- that she paints her pictures herself.
Like I said- you're picking & choosing which evidence you look at so you can keep on being an ass and trashing A CHILD. It's pretty sad when you really look at it...
Get over it, faggot. That kid is more artist than you will Ever be. ***DONE WITH YOU.***
planetery 1 year ago
@planetery thats the 2nd time you have been done with me
there was also a montage in the film of the 2 pictures that she painted next to her dad's work and the difference is obvious
I think you're a bit nuts so I won't sink to your psychotic level of foul language - are you a member of the family?? Why else would someone be so blind
unless of course you are unwell in which case you have my sympathy xx
grai 1 year ago
ATTENTION EVERYONE:
If you have never seen this movie & you come in saying this kid OBVIOUSLY didn't paint this, you will look stupid.
SHE DID. THIS IS A DEAD ISSUE.
Stop making snap decisions and do a little research next time.
planetery 3 years ago