Paintings by three year-old achieve unexpected global fame

[Jazzy]

A three-year-old girl who started painting as therapy for her autism has seen her work attract buyers from across the world.

Works by Iris Grace Halmshaw, who cannot speak, have sold to bidders for more than £800.
Her mother Arabella Carter-Johnson, 32, saw her daughter’s work unexpectedly rise to fame after she posted copies of the paintings on Facebook, which received rave reviews, and then decided to set up a website to showcase her daughter’s work.

She said: “We realised about three months ago she is actually really talented. Inquiries to buy her paintings were flooding in from all over the world and a framed print sold in a charity auction in London for £830."

So far eight of the three-year-old paintings have sold, and her parents are also making prints available.

Iris Grace was two when she was diagnosed with autism. She rarely made eye contact with her parents and they tried a number of different therapies to try and help her.

Mrs Carter-Johnson, of Market Harborough, Leicester, said: "We started with play therapy and we've had speech, equine, occupational and music therapy, looked at her nutrition and quite a few other methods.

"She used to be consumed by books, eye contact was a rare occurrence, she didn't want to, or know how to, play with us and got desperately distressed when we took her near any other children.

"Her autism has created a style which I've never seen in a child of her age - she has an understanding of colours and how they interact. She beams with excitement and joy when I get out the paints."

As the youngster’s works continue to be in demand, her parents are planning on holding an exhibition in London to showcase her works.

Picture of Grace and one of her paintings

Aww, she's adorable. The painting reminds me of Monet. Very talented little girl.