My Kid Could Paint That

4 out of 5 Stars
Wonderful and well done documentary that left me feeling sad and confused. It was a real life example (in some ways) of what John Waters expressed in 'Pecker'. Whether or not young Mara was 'coached' or 'helped' by her father doesn't take away from the fact that her art is different and new. I mean, really. Even if her dad verbally assisted her, it was still Mara holding the brush and producing large, 'popping' canvases that are both innocent and intriguing. As an early childhood educator, I paint with young children all the time and I have never had a student of that age with such steady motor skills, brush strokes, or color choices. And I do believe that Marla painted 'Ocean'. Would I buy her paintings? The question is, do art collectors buy modern art because they truly love it or because it is a 'must-have', like a Birkin bag? It's like a case of 'I have it and you don't.' I'd absolutely go to an exhibit of Marla's work. Just as I'd go check out any modern artist. Because no one can answer the question 'What is modern art?'. I've seen art painted in blood and art painted with feces. I've seen photo exhibits that more than push the line of pornography. So how is the 'gimmick' of Marla (being a 4 year old painter) any different? Even the fact that a documentary was made and she created a small scandal in the art community says something.
The documentary made me feel especially sorry for her mother, who came across as the antithesis of a stage mother. She struck me as really genuine and concerned about her children. I feel bad for the children to have been unknowingly put through such publicity, but I don't think that was ever the parents' intent and I also believe that they really did put the money into Marla's college fund.