We were very lucky to have the talented film maker Rupert Ward-Lewis create a short film of Iris. He has captured her spirit and joy while she paints and her innate interest in nature and the English landscape. This gentle, lyrical film begins with a poem read by award winning actress Olivia Colman and then takes you on a journey into the world of little Iris Grace.
Painting Technique
Many of you have been asking how Iris paints, what involvement do we have ? How much help does she get ?
So I thought I would give an example of a typical Iris art session.
All of her kit, the table she paints on and the equipment is left in the kitchen so she is free to come and go, painting when she wants to.
– Iris indicates she would like to paint by walking up to the sink and pointing at her brush and the mug she uses.
– I go to the cupboard and take out the paint bottles and she indicates which colour she would like to be made up. If the colour isnt there (like purple) she will find an item that is that colour to show me what she wants to be mixed. She also makes up her own colours, dipping brushes from mug to mug and watching the colour change then using it on the paper, sometimes even mixing on the paper itself.
– I then add water and she tests it out, on many occasions she will take it back to the sink if its not the right consistency.
– Iris paints with high flicks, dots, dabs, using fine paintbrushes with a careful attention to detail or large brushes in sweeping motions. She uses rollers (textured rollers, straight lines are created by those), stamps, and a range of brushes and sponges.
– When she is finsihed for that session she puts her tools down in the mug and leaves the table, waits for the painting to dry and then goes back to it to do some more.
If I notice she isn’t interested anymore in the painting I will ask her if its finished and if there is no response I start to take it off the table and I have somewhere in my office where I store them. She will either stop me doing that if its not finished or let it go. She sometimes does a little jig/dance to indicate she is pleased with it and sometimes she will take a piece back to the table if she feels it needs more.
Who names the Paintings ?
We used to name the paintings as Iris didn’t speak, we made them relevant to what they look like or how she felt while painting them or the music she was listening to at the time. Now Iris is speaking more she is naming them herself.
Iris Grace Painting 
When my daughter was almost 3 years old, she matter of factly told me, “Do you remember when we were up in Heaven and I chose you to be my mummy?” I am not very religious and was gobsmacked as to where she could have picked this up but she insisted, ” Yes you remember, you were there and I chose you!”
She is 20 now and I’ve enjoyed every minute of raising her, and as I look back, I think there is definitely something in what she said all those years ago.
Iris chose you. Truly amazing little soul, beautiful poetry in paint!
why dont you answer back to me.i have been messaging you from tommorow.
Mike
what a beautiful, talented little girl. Thank you for encouraging her to find her voice through art
Mesmerizing – I am in love… How lucky we are to get a glimpse of her angelic uniqueness. If you haven’t already, you might want to read Stellaluna to her. I think it is a sweet little book with wonderful illustrations. All the best to you & your eloquent family. Warmly, Pam
can you show me the picture of the one you are in love with
My favorite flower, since my early childhood, has been the “sweet pea”. They are so delicate and have a very soft and beautiful fragrance, and an innocence about them. I grew some once from seeds. They were so very beautiful. They made me smile. This is how I imagine this precious little girl. She is an angle. She is a sweet pea.
Off topic, but does anyone know what breed of cat that is?
I think it is all or part Maine Coon. It must be young, if it is, however, as they grow into quite large cats, and Iris’ cat seems small. Animal communicators speak with animals telepathically, and I think maybe Iris and her cat have long conversations with each other. Typically cats communicate by sending “pictures”. Maybe Iris does this also.
yes, Thula is a Maine Coon 🙂