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| Akiane Kramarik with 1 of her painting |
Most ten-year-old children go to an art class at school. Some enjoy drawing, painting or creating through other media so much that they develop their skills further, maybe studying art later in life. Few ten-year-olds, however, have sold their creations for thousands of dollars, a feat which Akiane Kramarik accomplished when she sold her first painting. Her work is even more exceptional due to the fact that she was never given any artistic instruction.
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| The Prince of Peace - Akiane Kramarik |
She was born to an American father and Lithuanian mother in Mount Morris, Illinois on July 9th, 1994. Since age four, Akiane claims she has been visited by God in dreams, and he has given divine inspiration for her work. This is especially noteworthy, considering the fact that Akiane’s parents both identified as atheists before their daughter began her work; the entire family is now religious.
| The Search For Truth - Akiane Kramarik |
By age six she was creating paintings that could be displayed in professional galleries. Then at age seven she began writing aphorisms (original thoughts and philosophies) and poetry, often fully conceived before she commits them to paper. Now at eighteen years-old, Akiane is still painting and expanding her artistic horizons.
| Tree of Life painting |
She has even named her style of painting after herself, dubbing it “Akianism.” According to her official website, Akianism is “a universal blend of realism and imaginism.” This means that she blends together subjects from the real world, such as people and animals, with cosmic and celestial settings. Although most of her work falls into this description, some rely strictly on realist imagery, while others are focused on imagined places in space and heaven. She has said that the goal of all of her paintings is “to share her love for God and people around the world.”
Related post: Akiane Kramarik: Spiritual Young Artist
Related post: Akiane Kramarik: Spiritual Young Artist
Most days Akiane wakes up at four in the morning. She then either goes to her studio to paint or spends her time writing. She does this four or five hours per day and often spends between one- and two-hundred hours on each painting, usually making several sketches before starting on a four-by-five-foot canvas.
Each year she produces between eight and twenty paintings, depending on the amount of time each one takes, and works on only one painting at a time. When she isn’t working, Akiane enjoys playing the piano, reading, and helping others. She has also taught herself Russian, Lithuanian, and Sign Language. Occasionally, Akiane makes instructional painting videos, as well.
Each year she produces between eight and twenty paintings, depending on the amount of time each one takes, and works on only one painting at a time. When she isn’t working, Akiane enjoys playing the piano, reading, and helping others. She has also taught herself Russian, Lithuanian, and Sign Language. Occasionally, Akiane makes instructional painting videos, as well.
However, the illustrator also works very hard outside of the studio promoting her work and social causes. She has appeared on CNN’s Lou Dobbs Tonight, Oprah, Fox News, and other programs in America and around the world. Her appearances showcase her work while explaining her methods and charitable goals, which is where most of the money she earns from painting ultimately goes.
Some charitable causes that Akiane has donated to include: Kids Free the Kids (abuse, exploitation and slavery of children), Northwest Medical Teams (medical care, food and shelter for orphanages), PANCAN and MACC (cancer societies), Netherlands Kidney Foundation, children’s funds in Africa and Lithuania, local police and fire departments, Christian schools, churches, and others.
| Heaven by Akiane |
Since the minimum price for an original painting is listed at $5,000, she has raised more money for philanthropic efforts than the vast majority of young adults in America. When explaining why she is so generous with her time and profits she said: “I have been blessed by God. And if I’m blessed, there is one reason and one reason only, and that is to help others.”
As Akiane gets older, her art will continue to evolve and adapt to her current inspirations. Whether or not her approach will continue to be spiritual is something she will have to decide for herself as she matures in style. Regardless of what her subject matter is, she will undoubtedly continue to influence the world through her creativity and kindness.
