Courtesy Kerem Akar(NEW YORK) — A 7-year-old from Germany is already establishing himself as a world-renowned artist.
Born in Cologne, Germany, Mikail Akar is an artistic prodigy who was first dubbed the “preschool Picasso,” by the German media.
Mikail’s father Kerem Akar told ABC News’ Good Morning America that he noticed his son’s artistic talent on his son’s fourth birthday.
“For [Mikail]’s birthday we bought him a canvas and finger paints. Then when I came home from work I saw his first painting,” said Akar. “I posted [the painting] on Facebook. We got over 2,000 likes in one day.”
Mikail was able to start selling his work after his third painting, according to his father, who is also his manager.
Mikail’s work is reminiscent of Jackson Pollock’s splatters of color and lines, but according to his father, Mikail also draws inspiration from Michelle Basquiat, YouTube videos and other artists’ exhibitions.
“[Mikail] has had 12 exhibitions so far, including one at Cologne Bonn Airport,” said Akar.
When he’s not holding a paintbrush or near a canvas, Mikail is a carefree 7-year-old boy who attends school and enjoys soccer.
“[Mikail] paints when he feels like it. Mostly on weekends, because he usually has school until the afternoon and school is more important,” Akar told GMA.
“If it ever gets too much for [Mikail], we will make a clear stop. The well-being of our child is alway the most important,” he added.
For now, Mikail said he loves painting and sees a very long future in the arts.
“Soccer and painting are the most fun for me,” he said. “But painting is so fun that also when I’m 50 I will still be painting – even when I’m 1,050 years old I’ll still be painting.”
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