i’m not jealous of marla olmstead
It’s been two years since I saw the documentary, My Kid Could Paint That, about then 4 year old Marla Olmstead. When I wrote my original post about Marla last winter I said that I was on the fence when it came to knowing if Marla did all of the work herself, but either way I still loved the paintings. I watched it again last night, and I am now firmly on one side of the fence. I decided to see it again just as a refresher for myself, since the post that I wrote close to a year ago still gets a huge number of very ‘passionate’ comments every day. I can safely say I’m no longer jealous of her. I am still jealous of her work, but not of her. I just feel sad for Marla. I’m sure some of you will call me a fool, but after seeing the movie again I absolutely believe that these are her paintings. I’m actually a little upset with myself that I ever doubted it. I think some fancy editing and a father who really, really, really loved the fame and attention that Marla brought, skewed my original view… but I don’t think they defrauded the art world. They never said she was a prodigy, the art world put that on her. And at the end of the day, I really do think her paintings are beautiful. If collectors want to spend $20,000 per painting then by all means go ahead. After all, when it comes to modern art, 9 times out of 10 you’re paying for the story behind the art,or in many cases, the story behind the artist… And let’s face it, this is a really good story.
I like this painting, but I question why her family would release such a photo of their daughter. Where are that little girl’s clothes?
: ) Well, apparently she used to paint in just her diaper. Less messy that way.
Do you believe in Santa Claus too, Jealous Curator?
i sure do.
just saw half the movie last night and plan to watch the rest tonight. The one thing that caught my attention was when the little brother is trying to tell the dad he paints too, and dad seems to be brushing him off (excuse the pun). Anyway even Marla sticks up for her little brother and says she didn’t paint the green one, but her brother did. I was really hoping to see the “green one” she was talking about.
Anyway, I’m not a huge fan of abstract, but strangely found myself attracted to hers. Looking at her latest works, I think you can see a difference from that which she was producing when she was 4 to what she is producing now. Now, is dad’s helping hand in there somewhere, ya maybe, when I’m playing soccer with my “prodigy” children do I sometimes help them, ummm ya
Good piece and like your site, cheers!
[...] By the way, Marla continues to sell her paintings (she’s now 8), and the movie continues to inspire debate. And more debate. [...]