Sheillah Charles is just nine-years-old; however, this beautiful Kenyan artist and designer is definitely on the path to becoming a well-known talent.
When asked in a recent interview with thisisafrica.me, why she draws, the humble little spirit responded, “I don’t actually know why I draw. It’s just God given; it’s something in me. I will be doing this forever.”
Charles is currently in lower primary school in Kenya but has already painted prominent members of her community such as Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Nairobi governor Mike Sonko, comedian Daniel Ndambuki, and journalist Lofty Matambo.
Charles’s mother stated that her daughter started drawing when she was only four. “Her teachers once called me to school, saying my daughter had something special in her. I did not believe them. They proceeded to show me her drawings and I was impressed.”
The young artist recently spoke to the BBC about her talent and preferred subject matter—lions. Charles also states that she likes to draw women because, “…they suffer a lot. I draw them because they are the most important people in our family.”
In addition to studying and nurturing her own talent, Charles teaches other children her craft. “If you have a talent, don’t just say ‘it’s mine alone, I should not teach others’. You should share your talent with others out there.” This is unquestionably one young rising star that we all need to keep on our watchlist!
