Many nine-year-olds would have huge problems paying for a family meal out at McDonalds. However Kieron Williamson is a bit different. By painting local landscapes he has earnt enough to buy a new £150,000 house for his family. In July he sold 33 of his own paintings for £150,000 within just 30 minutes; he followed that up with two more paintings shortly after, for £21,000 each.

Global fans

The gifted lad’s talents were properly recognised back in 2008. The following year he made £14,000 when 19 of his paintings were sold. Some fans will queue for hours outside local galleries to pick up his work – and his fans now extend all the way to Canada and Japan.

However parents Keith, 44 and Michelle, 38 are ensuring that all his earnings will be kept in trust for him – and that the deeds of the new house – an ex 19th century bank in Ludham, Norfolk – he’s just bought will be turned over to him when he reaches 18.

Adult technique?

Several of his recent paintings include views of Norfolok’s St Benet’s Abbey, plus scenes of Broadland mist and local boats.

Ludham is an especially important place for Kieron, the home of a painting hero, Edward Seago. However Kieron isn’t alone. Melbourne four-year-old Aelita Andre has wowed artists all over the world – her paintings have sold for as much as £15,000.

“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child,” Pablo Picasso once said. The question is, are these kids painting like children or adults? The investors who are snapping them up would appear to think the former. Or perhaps not.