Portrait of a Young Artist
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Five-year-old painter is making her mark
by Paula Kerr
Herald News Staff Reporter
The guest book is full of praise from those who've seen Avery Boruch's paintings in settings as formal as art galleries, as
informal as outdoor art shows.
"Great perspective on the world around you. Thanks for making our day!" wrote Jen and Scott Lial of Wareham. "I have
a new hero!" penned Bridget Walsh of Newport, R.I. The entries, which go on and on, could lead to a bit of an ego trip if
only the artist could read her own reviews. But she's 5, and the skill has yet to be mastered.
Besides, she has more immediate concerns like cajoling parents John and Allayne Boruch into buying art supplies; keeping
finished works off the floor where they invite puncture from younger brother John's toys; and consoling Labrador retriever
pup Rosie, recovering from an operation.
Child and dog strike a fetching pose on the living room carpet as the Boruch's - he's an airline pilot turned builder; she's a
lawyer turned full-time mom - discuss what it's like to parent a daughter whose innate talent may or may not make her a
force in the art world.
They are left to do the talking because Avery - whose work is already selling - is an introspective child preferring to
express her thoughts with color on canvas.
But the pair are far from pushy parents. Rather, they're feeling their way, in part because they don't quite know what to
make of Avery's talent; in part because there's not alot of information out there about how to nurture child painters.
What we've decided to do is let it take its course, and at some point she'll decide whether to pursue it," says Allayne. "We
don't want to put her in art class because we don't want her to think she has to paint a certain way or stifle her creativity,"
says John.
Marylin Moriarty, founder of the Portsmouth Arts Guild - which the couple has joined in order to get a handle on things -
says they're doing the right thing. "In giving her the freedom to be the person she needs to be, they are creating an
atmosphere for her to be creative."
This all came out of the blue when at 18 months old. Avery's aunt Jenny gifted her with the coloring book and paints that
instantly enchanted. Sheets of white paper and watercolors followed, so neither lines nor the limited hue selection would
confine.
John recalls viewing his daughter's work and commenting "Wow, that's pretty!" only to have Allayne counter, "No, it's
interesting. You don't see other kids doing it."
Avery worked with abandon early on, doing as many as five watercolors a day when the muse struck. But the colors
faded and with the works piling up, it wasn't surprising that they fell victim to slings and arrows of family life.
That's when Allayne made a trip to a discount store for more durable art supplies - acrylic paints and canvases. "I
explained acrylics weren't like watercolors, that she'd have to change colors and brushes," says Allayne. "She took to it like
a fish to water."
Allayne eventually decided to take the plunge herself and find out if her daughter had talent. A visit to the Boulevard Studio
& Gallery in Newport landed Avery an exhibit there, which was followed by another at Jack & Josie's, a restaurant also
located in Newport. Window space at Arnold Art in Middletown was next, and now Avery will have a booth at the
Portsmouth Arts Festival. It takes place Aug. 20 and 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Glen Farm and is sponsored by the guild.
Moriarty, a professional artist and art teacher at the high school level for 20 years, says Avery's booth should be a draw
because she is far more than a curiosity. "I think she is talented," observes Moriarty, lauding Avery's innate ability to
change the value of color - move light and dark - within a painting. "That's way beyond her years, it's amazing to me."
She also praises the purity and honesty of Avery's work, something every professional artist seeks. "Obviously she's
comfortable in what she's doing, and because she's comfortable her innate talent comes out."
"All you can go by is the feedback," says John. Examples of Avery's work - from tastefully grouped abstract watercolors
to a huge black and white Jackson Pollock - like canvas abound in the family's Sea Meadow Farm home. "A tiny little
person generating all this energy," sighs Allayne.
It's also in demand - selling for between $125 and $1,500, framed and matted - although Avery would just as soon give it
away. Her largesse has extended to neighbors and Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence.
Proceeds go into her bank account. "Obviously we're not doing this for financial gain," says John, explaining that between
art supplies and Avery's time and energy it's actually a money losing proposition.
Still, with those numbers some parents would be tempted to turn their child into a painting machine, but not the Boruch's.
"When the mood strikes, she does it," says John. "It's about being creative, not productive," says Allayne.
So, on this stifling August day, it comes as a pleasant surprise when she agrees to paint - on the deck overlooking the
Sakonnet River - for a couple of visitors.
There is a ritual to all this, one that Avery carries out with businesslike precision. She dons a paint-spattered dress, puts on
her new favorite CD from the movie "Shark Tale" - she used to paint to Grateful Dead music - unwraps a new canvas and
gets to work with acrylics, brushes, spray bottles and a ruler.
With every application of a newly mixed color, she regards the canvas from various angles, her brow furrowing with
concentration. And when she uses the ruler to spread the colors, her hand motions are surprisingly deft.
But the heat proves too much and she quits early, stepping into a nearby wading pool to wash off the unique color
combinations that have migrated to her neck and into her long blond hair.
The Boruch's aren't upset by the early quitting time. "It's fun just to watch her," says John. "You never know what she's
going to do, but experimentation is a constant theme," says Allayne.
To see more of Boruch's work, log on to www.artbyavery.com.