Autism is a poorly-understood neurological disorder that can impair an individual’s ability to engage in various social interactions. But little 5-year-old Iris Grace in the UK is an excellent example of the unexpected gifts that autism can also grant – her exceptional focus and attention to detail have helped her create incredibly beautiful drawings that many of her fans (and buyers) have likened to Monet’s works.
Little Iris is slowly learning to speak, whereas most children have already begun to speak at least a few words by age 2. Along with speech therapy, her parents gradually introduced her to painting, which is when they discovered her creative mind.
“We have been encouraging Iris to paint to help with speech therapy, joint attention and turn-taking,” her mother, Arabella Carter-Johnson, explains on her website. “Then we realized that she is actually really talented and has an incredible concentration span of around 2 hours each time she does her amazing drawings. Her autism has created a style of painting which I have never seen in a child of her age, and she has an understanding of colors and how they interact with each other.”
More info: irisgracepainting | Facebook | WordPress (h/t: aplus)
“I first noticed how effective art was with Iris when I was trying to establish joint attention, I would draw stick men and make up stories, and she would laugh and guide my hand to do more,” Carter-Johnson told Bored Panda. “I used to tape down large sheets of wallpaper liner down onto a wooden coffee table, and we would work or drawing ideas together.”
“Then, when we tried painting with her, it was on an easel, and that didn’t work at all as the paint dribbled down the paper and upset her so I thought I would let her try on the same table as we used for her drawing. She took to it straight away and filled the paper with color. So that was how it all came about. I quickly learned how effective it was as a therapy, to help with her moods, communication.”
“[Painting] wasn’t something that the doctors suggested although I wish they had. That is something a lot of the media have got wrong,” Carter-Johnson explained to Bored Panda. “It came about because I was educating her at home and I was trying to follow the national curriculum and mark-making, drawing, painting was one of the things on my hit list to do with Iris.”
When asked about what Iris had to say about her artwork, Carter-Johnson said, “‘Yummy’ seems to be a favorite word about some of them, also she giggles. She loves looking at Anima and jumps around with excitement and then will inspect all of those tiny splashes of white.”
Carter-Johnson said that she named most of the artworks, “although Iris has chosen ‘A-Where-Wa.’ They are always relevant to her inspiration, how the painting made her feel or music she was listening to.”
“I can see so much of what fascinates her in her art, I believe she can see things in more detail, or notice things in more detail. She has always been interested in water and movement, nature and there is so much of that in her paintings.”
“Her visual memory is excellent, and it allows us to see how sometimes life must become overwhelming. It’s now easy to understand that, for Iris, when things get to be too much she needs silence and peace.”
“Her art has opened up our eyes to the possibilities in her life and of others on the indigo children spectrum – follow their ‘spark’ and wonderful things can happen. I am a great believer in giving as many opportunities to autistic kids as you can.”
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What a talent, her perception is so perfect! I would like to see her pictures when she will be older...........
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Stunning, but huge Kudos to the parents who have fostered her painting.
Amasing art. I can definetly see the cat's face on the picture above the piano.
Think a lot of sad people frequent Yahoo. Putting down others little bits of joy. Best of luck to both her and her parents and teachers.
If thats a Maine C**n I'm a theoretical physicist! Maine Coons are twice that size easily!
Load More Replies...
Does anyone else notice, the last painting with the piano, has the face of the cat , drawn inside of the picture , or is just my imagination ?
Simply BEAUTIFUL work. My son with severe 'autism' and no speech or academic skills has done similar paintings when he was in school. This has encouraged me to increase his opportunities for art expression. Thank you!
Is there any videos of her painting..I would love to see this amazing work in action! :)
You`ll never think that a child in her condition could do such a wonderful masterpiece.
Getting the best from the worst... Kids as well as animals are real masters on Earth... They just deserve love, no less than love....
Wow, she's a lot better than I thought she'd be. Made me want to paint too.
Stunningly beautiful work. She indeed possesses very special gift to share with the world. Paint on, sweet Iris, you and Thula, paint on!
There is a face of the cat in the picture Is it the little girls cat? They seem to have an understanding with each other much more .Gloria
This story is truly amazing. It is so wonderful that a child with autism has found a creative outlet for her emotions. :- )
How many real gifts are hidden behind something that is considered a problem? http://maryemartintrilogies.com
For another article, go here: https://www.boredpanda.com/thula-therapy-cat-autistic-artist-iris-grace/
Beautiful! What paints and materials is she using? Watercolor? I see some large brushes and some sponges? Great!
I am seeing an outline of a cat in all of the paintings. The most obvious is the one over the piano. Truly beautiful.
Are these available for sale? I'd love to support Iris through purchasing one <3 They are very captivating!
She is so amazing! I wish my paintings could be as exquisite. Absolutely beautiful!
Every single one of us has potential. God has given us a gift. Find it and SOAR!
It's amazing how humans find ways to comunicate no matter what life challanges we face. Think of Helen Keller she found a way to shine.
Oh yes---I see the face. How magnificent. People need to stop putting labels on those they don't understand. She is beautiful
Yea no thanks I rather not have my child autism and just be a plain joe!
Yea no thanks I rather have not my child with autism and just be normal person!
Amazing and truly inspiring. Really everyone had a hidden talent if only it is ignited at the right time, mysteries can happen.
Bless her! In our education system the emphasis is on teaching language and arithmetic with gives teachers hardly time for art! Frustration
Beautiful encouragement from her Parents...keep up the great work lil girl
I don't have any words to say... Hats off Iris!!! I wish your talent is recognized world wide. Bless you!
That is a VERY talented young artist - her work although abstract conveys feelings without words or visual iconic markers.
I am so happy she found her calling even a little jealous as i am in my 30s and still searching.
Amazing contribution Mom introducing Iris, reflective perception to an art medium that will bring so much pleasure.
why can't she just be a brilliant young artist, why does she have to be the autistic artist? is that really necessary?
Yes that one stood out! OMG What talent. How do I get one of these. I have an Autistic Grandson. This little girl is going to go far!
This little girl is special. She has a unique talent and I wish her all the best.
There is a cat face on the last picture! or is it just that because the cat is sitting there we automatically see a cats face..
I absolutely love this. My daughter has austuim spectrum disorder and I too see so many talents. These kids make my world special.
I would love to sell her art work in my gallery. My grandson is autistic & his photography is amazing. I sell his photo's & cards.
An incredible eye to colour and form. I wish her well on her road to "normalcy", while keeping her artistic talent with her all the way.
Oh yes I can just see the face. They are lovely pictures and she is a special and beautiful child.
i am totally speechless! So amazing and beautiful art....wow!I love it! <3
I'm a painter also... But I feel nothing after see her artworks... Deep respect for her with full of humbles..
Autism is not a "mental disability". Their brains function at a higher capacity than the rest of us, hindering their social interaction.
Autism is not a "mentally disability". Their brain functions at a much higher capacity than the rest of us, hindering social interaction.
In the last one before the photos in the upper R section, see a face and if you follow down continuing R you can see legs in jeans!
So absolutely stunning and amazing. I'd love to be able to create this kind of paintings too. It is awesome.
She must have accidentally got all the cat's markings as well as just the face. What an amazing accident, huh?
Incredible, i've been painting for a long time now and can't come close to her work...:) God Bless her.
Iris and her cat are producing better art than you will see in the Sydney Museum of Contemporary Art, bless them.
I see the cat face and it is amazing how it is hidden yet right there at the same time!!
I think they see the world from different point of view, not less - just different! They may highly gifted and more intellegent than us!
It's really amazing! She has a different kind of perception and hopefully this talent will help her recover from autism.
Absolutely gorgeous! Amazing! The pictures give me a very peaceful feeling. I suffer from depression and these paintings are comforting.
precious little tyke--so peaceful in her paintings. Bravo parents for fostering her art.
The children with special needs always have special talents. This cute little girl is lucky to have parents who recognize hers.
My son max has asd and savant syndrome to. He points out 150 of 190 countries on a map and match the flag with no help from us. He's 4 yrs.
Where can I buy one of these gorgeous paintings?? Yall should start a charity with her amazing artwork :)
She is amazing! I'm so happy you've shown this because so many people misunderstand autistic people , they are very smart and talented.
increible los colores q maneja lindos para los anos de la pequenita
Properly framed in a gallery or museum, with suitable descriptions, people would have no trouble believing them the work of a famous artist.
If the pieces were hung in an upscale gallery or museum, under an adult pseudonym, with suitably sophisticated descriptions, people would
Then again, the cat appears to be helping, so maybe that's his influence. Truly, Iris has talent, she is painting things that resonate.
Absolutely stunning! I love the colors. This kid is, no doubt, better than me. :)
freedom from known constraints gives her the ability to create beauty, Naomi Ruth Schulz Writer and Author Of Children's Fun Animal Books
Beautiful. So glad she has a way to express herself. It will be interesting to see how she develops.
All the people who complained terms like 'differently-abled' were "politically correct rubbish" - eat your words.
WOW! she is one talented little girl! x x id buy several of those!! x
This child has more talent in her little finger than I have in my whole body!!
Look at that green-yelow picture and at the photo of litlle artist in the garden vith apple tree in the back. She paint the garden!amazing
I think shes awesome at making pictures... would like to see her paint a specific object to see how it turns out.
Beautiful art done by a beautiful young girl. Just leave it at that and stop the hateful comments!
Don't know if this is real. But if it is, you ROCK!!! girl I mean she is too awesome to be real, is this even possible?
they kind of don't look like anything. even in monet, if you get some distance, you see something. i don't get it.
Amazing job, I would love to have one to hang on my wall! I'm so glad she has something that obviously makes her so happy!
OMG, I was looking at the picture above the piano, and I thought "there's a picture of a cat's face in the picture" and outlined it. Amazing
Wow! That is amazing! I can also see the cats face!!! God Bless this little talented girl!
I think she is amazing!! and do a really lovely and beautiful work!!..HI from Argentina to her!!
Ummm... Her cat is in all of them not just the one on the piano. Look closer, in one its just the eyes, another just the ears.
If you guys like watching korean dramas, you should try the "Good Doctor." It is about a person with Savant syndrome just like this girl. :)
Art speaks to heart and soul. Autism is a different way of seeing the world, and this child has found her way of showing how she sees it.
I paint the same style, age 27, no disease and all gallery owners said that i'm not original, I copy Pollock. Boo me.
Belíssimo e que bom para a menina. Consegue assim se expressar e se comunicar para fora do seu mundo, conosco; atraves da pintura.
Lindo. que bom para a menina, pois consegue se conectar à nos atraves da pintura. Expressão saudável.
As soon as the page appeared, I saw the image of a cat in the picture, what an awesome little girl.
Wow! That"s amazing how she can do that. I bet I can't even paint that, and even more as a 5 year old !
Beautiful work... Art is a good way to express ones self & what an amazing little expression that girl is! :)
I think it was called Masterpiece because of the way of it was made. The paintings have beauty on them. They have something more.
Agreed Sehat.concise words well used and clearly...masterpieces , movement and structure flowing beautifully.
I'm not sure that catharsis is the right word to describe what's going on here, but it's a beautiful thing to let her create & explo
re without comparing her to a standardised learning/comparative development of children her same age
I have a degree in Art Education - and yes, these are exceptional, but she was given the right materials - still, child art is child art.
I'm not sure that catharsis is the right word here to describe what's going on, but it's a beautiful thing to let her quietly create & explo
Beautiful! Better than some of the so-called "Art" that sells for a fortune! Yes - I can see the cat's face - stunning!!!
I get the point of the article and I AM questioning semantics. "Masterpieces" is a stretch. Sensationalistic title. Pretty, though.
Amazing ability. Best wishes to the family. Perhaps other children can find solace in painting.
Showing the beauty that we,"normal" humen can't see, thanks to the little angels for their coming to the earth to teach us these things.
She is a real talent, with or without the autism. It just goes to show, you should never write off someone with issues such as autism....
incredible, and something I think anyone would want to have in their home, lovely little girl!
let her enjoy what she does.. like the polices say.. every little thing she does is magic...
Just amazing!! People with autism aren't disabled; they are differently abled!!
Normal people don't spend all of their focus or mind into one thing that is the only difference between normal people and those with mental affliction. Everyone has talent in something we just don't really focus on it because we focus on many things in our lives.
Perhaps it's the cat doing half of the painting. The seems quite artistic.
She is totally amazing she may be Autistic....but another part of her brain is genius~!!!
i don't think it's her , sorry , the paintings are so perfect to be done by a child
Absolutely beautiful! I`d just turn the framed picture over the piano upside down ...
They are masterpieces: look at the detail, the structure, the fine choice between abstractions and concretion, the colors. Perfectly compose
Load More Replies...
freedom from known constraints gives her the ability to create such beauty <3 yes can sure see the Cats face
Whether genius, or accidental artist, this child has created some beautiful works of art!
What a talent, her perception is so perfect! I would like to see her pictures when she will be older...........
Load More Replies... Stunning, but huge Kudos to the parents who have fostered her painting.
Amasing art. I can definetly see the cat's face on the picture above the piano.
Think a lot of sad people frequent Yahoo. Putting down others little bits of joy. Best of luck to both her and her parents and teachers.
If thats a Maine C**n I'm a theoretical physicist! Maine Coons are twice that size easily!
Load More Replies... Does anyone else notice, the last painting with the piano, has the face of the cat , drawn inside of the picture , or is just my imagination ?
Simply BEAUTIFUL work. My son with severe 'autism' and no speech or academic skills has done similar paintings when he was in school. This has encouraged me to increase his opportunities for art expression. Thank you!
Is there any videos of her painting..I would love to see this amazing work in action! :)
You`ll never think that a child in her condition could do such a wonderful masterpiece.
Getting the best from the worst... Kids as well as animals are real masters on Earth... They just deserve love, no less than love....
Wow, she's a lot better than I thought she'd be. Made me want to paint too.
Stunningly beautiful work. She indeed possesses very special gift to share with the world. Paint on, sweet Iris, you and Thula, paint on!
There is a face of the cat in the picture Is it the little girls cat? They seem to have an understanding with each other much more .Gloria
This story is truly amazing. It is so wonderful that a child with autism has found a creative outlet for her emotions. :- )
How many real gifts are hidden behind something that is considered a problem? http://maryemartintrilogies.com
For another article, go here: https://www.boredpanda.com/thula-therapy-cat-autistic-artist-iris-grace/
Beautiful! What paints and materials is she using? Watercolor? I see some large brushes and some sponges? Great!
I am seeing an outline of a cat in all of the paintings. The most obvious is the one over the piano. Truly beautiful.
Are these available for sale? I'd love to support Iris through purchasing one <3 They are very captivating!
She is so amazing! I wish my paintings could be as exquisite. Absolutely beautiful!
Every single one of us has potential. God has given us a gift. Find it and SOAR!
It's amazing how humans find ways to comunicate no matter what life challanges we face. Think of Helen Keller she found a way to shine.
Oh yes---I see the face. How magnificent. People need to stop putting labels on those they don't understand. She is beautiful
Yea no thanks I rather not have my child autism and just be a plain joe!
Yea no thanks I rather have not my child with autism and just be normal person!
Amazing and truly inspiring. Really everyone had a hidden talent if only it is ignited at the right time, mysteries can happen.
Bless her! In our education system the emphasis is on teaching language and arithmetic with gives teachers hardly time for art! Frustration
Beautiful encouragement from her Parents...keep up the great work lil girl
I don't have any words to say... Hats off Iris!!! I wish your talent is recognized world wide. Bless you!
That is a VERY talented young artist - her work although abstract conveys feelings without words or visual iconic markers.
I am so happy she found her calling even a little jealous as i am in my 30s and still searching.
Amazing contribution Mom introducing Iris, reflective perception to an art medium that will bring so much pleasure.
why can't she just be a brilliant young artist, why does she have to be the autistic artist? is that really necessary?
Yes that one stood out! OMG What talent. How do I get one of these. I have an Autistic Grandson. This little girl is going to go far!
This little girl is special. She has a unique talent and I wish her all the best.
There is a cat face on the last picture! or is it just that because the cat is sitting there we automatically see a cats face..
I absolutely love this. My daughter has austuim spectrum disorder and I too see so many talents. These kids make my world special.
I would love to sell her art work in my gallery. My grandson is autistic & his photography is amazing. I sell his photo's & cards.
An incredible eye to colour and form. I wish her well on her road to "normalcy", while keeping her artistic talent with her all the way.
Oh yes I can just see the face. They are lovely pictures and she is a special and beautiful child.
i am totally speechless! So amazing and beautiful art....wow!I love it! <3
I'm a painter also... But I feel nothing after see her artworks... Deep respect for her with full of humbles..
Autism is not a "mental disability". Their brains function at a higher capacity than the rest of us, hindering their social interaction.
Autism is not a "mentally disability". Their brain functions at a much higher capacity than the rest of us, hindering social interaction.
In the last one before the photos in the upper R section, see a face and if you follow down continuing R you can see legs in jeans!
So absolutely stunning and amazing. I'd love to be able to create this kind of paintings too. It is awesome.
She must have accidentally got all the cat's markings as well as just the face. What an amazing accident, huh?
Incredible, i've been painting for a long time now and can't come close to her work...:) God Bless her.
Iris and her cat are producing better art than you will see in the Sydney Museum of Contemporary Art, bless them.
I see the cat face and it is amazing how it is hidden yet right there at the same time!!
I think they see the world from different point of view, not less - just different! They may highly gifted and more intellegent than us!
It's really amazing! She has a different kind of perception and hopefully this talent will help her recover from autism.
Absolutely gorgeous! Amazing! The pictures give me a very peaceful feeling. I suffer from depression and these paintings are comforting.
precious little tyke--so peaceful in her paintings. Bravo parents for fostering her art.
The children with special needs always have special talents. This cute little girl is lucky to have parents who recognize hers.
My son max has asd and savant syndrome to. He points out 150 of 190 countries on a map and match the flag with no help from us. He's 4 yrs.
Where can I buy one of these gorgeous paintings?? Yall should start a charity with her amazing artwork :)
She is amazing! I'm so happy you've shown this because so many people misunderstand autistic people , they are very smart and talented.
increible los colores q maneja lindos para los anos de la pequenita
Properly framed in a gallery or museum, with suitable descriptions, people would have no trouble believing them the work of a famous artist.
If the pieces were hung in an upscale gallery or museum, under an adult pseudonym, with suitably sophisticated descriptions, people would
Then again, the cat appears to be helping, so maybe that's his influence. Truly, Iris has talent, she is painting things that resonate.
Absolutely stunning! I love the colors. This kid is, no doubt, better than me. :)
freedom from known constraints gives her the ability to create beauty, Naomi Ruth Schulz Writer and Author Of Children's Fun Animal Books
Beautiful. So glad she has a way to express herself. It will be interesting to see how she develops.
All the people who complained terms like 'differently-abled' were "politically correct rubbish" - eat your words.
WOW! she is one talented little girl! x x id buy several of those!! x
This child has more talent in her little finger than I have in my whole body!!
Look at that green-yelow picture and at the photo of litlle artist in the garden vith apple tree in the back. She paint the garden!amazing
I think shes awesome at making pictures... would like to see her paint a specific object to see how it turns out.
Beautiful art done by a beautiful young girl. Just leave it at that and stop the hateful comments!
Don't know if this is real. But if it is, you ROCK!!! girl I mean she is too awesome to be real, is this even possible?
they kind of don't look like anything. even in monet, if you get some distance, you see something. i don't get it.
Amazing job, I would love to have one to hang on my wall! I'm so glad she has something that obviously makes her so happy!
OMG, I was looking at the picture above the piano, and I thought "there's a picture of a cat's face in the picture" and outlined it. Amazing
Wow! That is amazing! I can also see the cats face!!! God Bless this little talented girl!
I think she is amazing!! and do a really lovely and beautiful work!!..HI from Argentina to her!!
Ummm... Her cat is in all of them not just the one on the piano. Look closer, in one its just the eyes, another just the ears.
If you guys like watching korean dramas, you should try the "Good Doctor." It is about a person with Savant syndrome just like this girl. :)
Art speaks to heart and soul. Autism is a different way of seeing the world, and this child has found her way of showing how she sees it.
I paint the same style, age 27, no disease and all gallery owners said that i'm not original, I copy Pollock. Boo me.
Belíssimo e que bom para a menina. Consegue assim se expressar e se comunicar para fora do seu mundo, conosco; atraves da pintura.
Lindo. que bom para a menina, pois consegue se conectar à nos atraves da pintura. Expressão saudável.
As soon as the page appeared, I saw the image of a cat in the picture, what an awesome little girl.
Wow! That"s amazing how she can do that. I bet I can't even paint that, and even more as a 5 year old !
Beautiful work... Art is a good way to express ones self & what an amazing little expression that girl is! :)
I think it was called Masterpiece because of the way of it was made. The paintings have beauty on them. They have something more.
Agreed Sehat.concise words well used and clearly...masterpieces , movement and structure flowing beautifully.
I'm not sure that catharsis is the right word to describe what's going on here, but it's a beautiful thing to let her create & explo
re without comparing her to a standardised learning/comparative development of children her same age
I have a degree in Art Education - and yes, these are exceptional, but she was given the right materials - still, child art is child art.
I'm not sure that catharsis is the right word here to describe what's going on, but it's a beautiful thing to let her quietly create & explo
Beautiful! Better than some of the so-called "Art" that sells for a fortune! Yes - I can see the cat's face - stunning!!!
I get the point of the article and I AM questioning semantics. "Masterpieces" is a stretch. Sensationalistic title. Pretty, though.
Amazing ability. Best wishes to the family. Perhaps other children can find solace in painting.
Showing the beauty that we,"normal" humen can't see, thanks to the little angels for their coming to the earth to teach us these things.
She is a real talent, with or without the autism. It just goes to show, you should never write off someone with issues such as autism....
incredible, and something I think anyone would want to have in their home, lovely little girl!
let her enjoy what she does.. like the polices say.. every little thing she does is magic...
Just amazing!! People with autism aren't disabled; they are differently abled!!
Normal people don't spend all of their focus or mind into one thing that is the only difference between normal people and those with mental affliction. Everyone has talent in something we just don't really focus on it because we focus on many things in our lives.
Perhaps it's the cat doing half of the painting. The seems quite artistic.
She is totally amazing she may be Autistic....but another part of her brain is genius~!!!
i don't think it's her , sorry , the paintings are so perfect to be done by a child
Absolutely beautiful! I`d just turn the framed picture over the piano upside down ...
They are masterpieces: look at the detail, the structure, the fine choice between abstractions and concretion, the colors. Perfectly compose
Load More Replies... freedom from known constraints gives her the ability to create such beauty <3 yes can sure see the Cats face
Whether genius, or accidental artist, this child has created some beautiful works of art!
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