Autumn de Forest Returns to Her Roots
(Photo courtesy of Autumn de Forest)
Autumn de Forest inspires collectors around the world through her expressive art and humanitarian endeavors, but has never forgotten her roots.
The 15-year-old art prodigy attended the Spring ArtFest in Boulder City, Nevada during the weekend of April 22–23 as a special guest. She spent time meeting people and inspiring other youths at the same festival where she debuted at age 6.
Autumn has been painting since she was 5 years old. Her father, Doug de Forest, discovered Autumn’s latent talent after she “messed around” with some wood stain in the family’s garage.
“He said it looked like a [Mark] Rothko,” Autumn told Park West. “I had no idea who Rothko was back then, but he’s one of my favorite artists now.”
“Dripping Summer” (2015), Autumn de Forest
In the following spring, the 6 year old asked her father if she could enter into the Spring ArtFest. They submitted her works, and the people who stopped by their tent were surprised to discover that it was Autumn who created the art.
“They thought it was take your daughter to work day,” Autumn said with a laugh.
In an interview with the Boulder City Review, Autumn recalls how the art festival changed her life.
“After that weekend at the art fair, I really wasn’t the same person. It made me for the better … from a shy little artist to someone who shares stories,” Autumn said. “Since then, each one of my paintings has a narrative or story.”
“Goodnight Moon” (2014), Autumn de Forest
Autumn’s career catapulted after her artistic debut. The young artist has sold millions of dollars in art, is collected around the world with Park West Gallery, and has held exhibitions in major museums. Her style evolves as she continually finds inspiration from other artists and the world around her.
Autumn de Forest watches in awe as Pope Francis blesses a painting she presented to his Holiness (Photo by Doug de Forest)
Autumn also paints with a purpose as an artist with Turnaround Arts to inspire creativity in students at low-performing schools around the United States. In 2015 Autumn received the Giuseppe Sciacca Award for Painting and Art given by the Vatican.
Read the full article to learn more about Autumn and the art festival. For information on how to add a work of art by Autumn to your collection, contact us at (800) 521-9654 ext. 4 or sales@parkwestgallery.com.
