Teen whose art sells for £23,000 gets first painting lesson

Makenzy Beard, a talented 17-year-old artist, has recently reached a significant milestone in her artistic journey by taking her very first painting lesson. This young artist has already made waves in the art world, selling her works for an impressive total of £23,000. Makenzy first gained attention when a portrait she created of her neighbor went viral on social media, leading to her work being showcased at the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts. After her first lesson, Makenzy expressed that she learned some valuable techniques that she believes will help her improve her art even further. She is eager to continue refining her skills and exploring new styles. During her initial painting lesson, Makenzy created a beautiful piece depicting a young girl in a coat holding a sparkler. She shared that she learned about impressionism, a style that encourages artists not to focus solely on making their paintings look completely realistic. Makenzy admitted that this approach can be challenging for her. Until now, she has been self-taught, relying on her instincts and online tutorials to guide her. However, she felt that she had reached a plateau in her progress, which motivated her to enroll in a formal course. Makenzy candidly shared, 'I still had freedom and I could do what I wanted, but there were some things I was told… there is sort of a right and wrong way to do things. ' Makenzy's journey as an artist began during the lockdown in March 2020 when she was just 14 years old. She started painting using her mother's old supplies in a leaky garden shed. Since then, her career has blossomed, and her artwork has attracted attention from art lovers around the globe, including buyers from the Middle East, the United States, and the United Kingdom. In a recent exhibition in Cardiff, Makenzy showcased ten original pieces along with a collection of six prints, with some of her original works fetching prices as high as £23,000. As she continues to develop her artistic abilities, Makenzy has taken significant steps to enhance her craft. In 2023, she joined Millfield boarding school on an art and hockey scholarship, where she began taking painting lessons to further hone her style and technique. Makenzy remarked, 'I've picked up some weird little things, like understanding that it's better to use longer brushes when you want to paint something more freely. ' She also gained insights into color theory, which has helped her understand how to mix and apply colors more effectively. Makenzy noted, 'These are things you would completely overlook had you not been told to do that. ' In addition to improving her own skills, Makenzy is passionate about supporting other young artists. She has generously donated three of her paintings to a charity auction scheduled for February 28 at the Atkinson Gallery in Street, Somerset. The proceeds from this auction will benefit Millfield's Discover Brilliance campaign, which aims to provide opportunities for young artists like herself. Makenzy expressed her desire to give back, stating, 'I really want other young people to be given the same opportunity I was, and so this is going to be my way of giving back. ' She feels fortunate to attend such a prestigious school and wants to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent others from reaching their full potential.