ALAMEDA - Madden Millions is a nine-year-old boy from Alameda who loves art.
The passion he has discovered at an early age has been rewarded, as his painting of an octopus recently sold for $100 to Nicole Grass, making Madden one of the youngest professional artists in the region.
Madden is part of an art class for children in Alameda led by Vicki Graham. She asked him to draw an octopus for a temporary exhibit at the Estevan Leisure Centre. Graham knew that Madden loves sea creatures, including the octopus.
"I like to draw pictures of animals," he said.
Madden said he was really happy with how the drawing turned out, although he admitted that he accidentally added an extra tentacle. He was excited to find out that his artwork would be at the leisure centre, and that lots of people would see it and the artwork of his friends.
Among viewers was Nicole Grass. She regularly uses the leisure centre's weight room, and she checks out the temporary displays, which are located next to the arts council's office. She appreciated Madden's octopus drawing when she saw it for the first time.
"It's bright, the movement seemed to catch my eye. I just really enjoyed the painting and I kept thinking to myself I should stop in when the office is open and ask about it," said Grass.
She reached out to the arts council and made an offer on Madden's artwork.
Grass said she doesn't usually appreciate art and doesn't have a lot of artwork in her home.
"I've never had a piece that stood out until I saw that painting, and I thought 'I like this thing,' and the more I looked at it the more I liked it," said Grass.
Madden said he didn't know that he could draw well enough for someone to want to buy it. At first, he said no to selling the octopus, but then Gass came up with $100, which changed his mind. They didn't know each other previously.
Madden said he's not sure what he will do with the money, but he will likely put it in the bank. It's a great feeling to be a professional artist and he would like to create more art.
Graham is also the office manager of the Estevan Arts Council. She said the EAC likes to feature artists, and she approached Gale Tytlandsvik, who is the head of the arts council's visual arts committee, about showcasing student artwork in April. Tytlandsvik thought it was a great idea to celebrate the kids' talents.
"We had plaster art, acrylic, watercolour, plasticine."
Graham was pleased with how the kids' exhibit turned out. A couple of kids used tablets to display their skills with such mediums as stop-motion animation. It showed that art doesn't necessarily have to be on a canvas.
"It was well received. A lot of people stopped and asked questions, which brought about the whole thing with Madden's art."
Young people from Alameda, Oxbow and Alida all contributed to the exhibit.
