Meet The 11-Year-Old Painter Who Made $1.3 Million At Art Miami | Forbes

Andres Valencia's works sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars—and he’s not even a teenager. The tween artist talks to Forbes about his inspiration and his ambitious plans for the future.

Andres Valencia, who began painting when he was about five years old while standing on a step ladder to create large-scale works with a mix of oil stick, and oil and acrylic paint, is also a war history buff. The Commander (2022) is a nod to that fascination and a delightful play f a green uniform popping from a lavender backdrop.

Valencia took the art world by storm, quickly selling out a Chase Contemporary booth at Art Miami last December, where crowds gathered to watch him live paint with Caribbean-born American artist Bradley Theodore. Folks ducked under ropes and tried to clamber up a ladder to sneak a peek at the then-10-year-old virtuoso who sold paintings to celebrities such as Brooke Shields and Sofia Vergara to benefit the Perry J. Cohen Foundation (PJCF), which supports the arts, environmental, marine and wildlife education and preservation, as well as teenage entrepreneurship and boating safety education.

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[TonyMontana-tmul]

Some smart grown-ups have done a remarkable promotional job with this young man.

[AbbyUwU]

How did he get his art into the museum tho.. his family must have connections

[TheCravenIsReal]

Someone is managing (?!) this kid wonderfully...dreams, agenda, ambition- everything that any 32yr old activist could hope for

[beredan]

I don't dislike his paintings, it's just hard to believe that a young kid would choose this Picasso style for himself all on his own and not some parents pushing it.

[debracarter]

Sometimes it’s hard to like precocious children but this little lad seems very grounded and mature for his age. His artwork is impressive. ❤

[AmalAli-ddtt]

amazing at his age to be able to chose the right colors and shapes..really impressive! he is really gifted

[ronf]

Why would Forbes not give this boy the credit he deserves by at least posting his name on the video title. Not just "11 year old painter". He has a name!

[coloradojoe]

I'm tired of people glorifying/exploiting kids that can paint. And from the looks of it, I can tell you right now that an experience painter has a hand in this.

[judithbrowning]

This very young man's work is amazing as is his imagination and talent. A true prodigy I agree. Keep going young man. Your parents must be thrilled.

[jhubjrbrbr]

This is so terrible… No matter if the kid is 11 or 34, 59, 80… its mall/ airport/ starbucks paintings…

[manzotvofficial]

I wish I really get a chance to show my art

[olllloollllo]

The kid is just trying to imitate art already produced, and social media has helped brand him a "genius." There is nothing special about his art but the trend culture and the fact that most people are ignorant about art history have given rise to these types of artists.

[bleh]

This kid is wise beyond his years ❤️ I hope he stays that way

[HighlySensitiveHealer]

Was born with a gift and is utilizing it. He’s about to paint his best painting yet….life

[OH.A.M.]

As an art collector, I would never buy a colorful modern Picasso painting from this kid.

[mazekid]

I see people feeling behind in this comment section. Remember, If you are not at this talented kids and your older than 11, you still have value.
What he is searching for is not to create, but to experience the process of creation. Were missing the point just because we want to be something. It's not about YOU. Instead its about the EXPERIENCE of CREATING SOMETHING!

Reply

[omarko]

I wish this young prodigy the best of good luck in life. It's not easy to make it as a young man in this world, but everyone should start somewhere. He is remarkable, and wait just few more years until he grows up, and then looks back on his works, he'll definitely say how lucky I was.

[antoinecringemann]

Step 1: Convince enough people that a young artist is the new Picasso. It's easy; most "art connoisseurs" are clueless with a lot of time to waste
Step 2: The base price of the "artist's" paintings skyrockets, although no sane person would or could buy them
Step 3/a: Mysterious art "collector/dealer" appears and spends a ton of money to buy a painting which will be resold numerous times
Step 3/b. "Philanthropist" buys a painting, then donates it to an art museum
Step 4/a, b. Use your imagination

[beverlygoddard]

He appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Show just last night . He studies Artists as well.

[alejandromoreno]

1:42 they've already used him for their propaganda? 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️