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Original poster

AIBU for being so proud of dd achieving this at 17?

408 replies

FriendlyLaundryMonster · 03/05/2025 08:58

Dd has one of her artworks on exhibit at the Royal Scottish Academy’s Annual Open Exhibition. I don’t think I’m BU to be so proud of her, although IRL she doesn’t think it’s worth mentioning to friends! She’s the youngest in the show.
https://rubymitcham.com

AIBU for being so proud of dd achieving this at 17?
AIBU for being so proud of dd achieving this at 17?
OP posts:
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Original poster
FriendlyLaundryMonster · 04/05/2025 11:39

@beetr00 She does sell signed prints, but doesn’t have a proper shop facility set up yet. It’ll come hopefully!

OP posts:
Itiswhysofew · 04/05/2025 11:28

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 04/05/2025 11:15

I'm late to this but jeez!!! She's so talented. As others have pointed out you can actually sense the subject's personality and warmth just from the paintings. She's amazingly talented and, as someone whos skills stretch as far as stick people, I'm insanely jealous!

You're better than me then with your stick people😂

Made a small donation to gofundme. Really hope she gets many more. Hopefully, a very wealthy mumsnetter will come forward☺️

shellyleppard · 04/05/2025 11:17

That's a fantastic thing for your daughter!!! I would be so proud I would be shouting it from the rooftops!!! Well done to her and you!!

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 04/05/2025 11:15

I'm late to this but jeez!!! She's so talented. As others have pointed out you can actually sense the subject's personality and warmth just from the paintings. She's amazingly talented and, as someone whos skills stretch as far as stick people, I'm insanely jealous!

Itiswhysofew · 04/05/2025 11:08

Good grief, that is very impressive. Beautiful style. The gent looks wonderful. Well done to your RubySmile

PeachPumpkin · 04/05/2025 11:04

She’s incredible. You enjoy your proud mum moment.

beetr00 · 04/05/2025 10:47

Apologies @FriendlyLaundryMonster don't mean to hijack your thread, I seem to be somewhat invested 🙈

Another wee thought, Ruby has originals on her website which may be beyond reach for some.

Would she consider doing some print reproductions, could then sell on Etsy etc?

Ireolu · 04/05/2025 10:22

She's amazingly talented. Well done her, she shd be proud of herself.

beetr00 · 04/05/2025 10:18

@FriendlyLaundryMonster it shouldn't be so difficult to find funding for an exceptional talent, such frustration.

Also wondering if posting on this board may offer other alternatives for Ruby?

eta; it's not very busy though

Zanatdy · 04/05/2025 09:27

Be proud. It’s an amazing achievement. I don’t apologise ever for being proud of my kids.

Original poster
FriendlyLaundryMonster · 04/05/2025 09:26

Thanks to all the links that were posted, I’m feeling quite positive! We’ll pursue them all and at least we’ll know we did everything we could to support dd. It’s a shame that skills-based arts education is so inaccessible. There are a few schools offering it in the UK, ateliers and places like the Heatherley School which focuses on portraiture. But if a student attends any of them they’re not eligible for student loans. We’ve found that fine arts courses at universities often don’t teach life drawing or any painting skills (ie mediums, materials, canvas stretching, colour use, etc) This has been the case for a few decades now, so the art teachers in schools often don’t know these techniques and we’ve ended up with a system which doesn’t value them. I worry a little if dd applies to universities that her portfolio will just be outright rejected as it doesn’t fit today’s narrative. But we’ll just move on and she’ll find her way. I imagine she will continue painting in any case as it’s part of her now.

OP posts:
AliTheMinx · 04/05/2025 08:45

Wow! What an exceptional talent. You are rightly proud.

MeltonInTheHeat · 04/05/2025 06:39

Here is my nearly 15 year old son's reaction;

Me- 'Look at this picture'
Him- 'Nice. That's a great photo.'
Me- 'It's a painting. Oils. A 17 year old girl has painted it'.
Him- 'What? Wait... That's a PAINTING?! Oh wow that's amazing!!'.
Me- 'I know, right?!'

He's gone off to check out her insta.

beetr00 · 04/05/2025 01:43

FriendlyLaundryMonster · 03/05/2025 11:22

https://gofund.me/cd80781a

Ok, here it is I think. Thanks all for the advice. Taking her back to school now as she was only home for the RSA opening reception.

@FriendlyLaundryMonster

This arts trust awards grants

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 03/05/2025 21:10

What a talent!!

Seventree · 03/05/2025 20:57

Wow, what amazing talent! You must be so proud of her hard work 😊

SlightlyJaded · 03/05/2025 20:53

@FriendlyLaundryMonster My mum studied at the Art School in Florence. She ended up living there for several years. I hope your DD gets there....

GlitteryUnicornSparkles · 03/05/2025 20:46

Fishling · 03/05/2025 09:50

WTF, that's a painting???? Genuinely thought it was a photograph! Thats incredible, she is insanely talented!

My thoughts exactly!

ComeAlive · 03/05/2025 20:36

Apologies if this has already been suggested by try contacting your local Rotary club as they often will donate to something like this and are generally quite generous when doing so.

harijes · 03/05/2025 20:33

@FriendlyLaundryMonsterhave you seen this. My brother is in theatre and was helped by this.

https://www.dewarawards.org/

Agapornis · 03/05/2025 19:57

You could also look into small grants and bursaries aimed at individual artists - they usually start at £250-1000. The Arts Council might be a bit too soon in her career (and quite a lot of work to apply), but look at local galleries and museums, family trusts etc. Having a local connection often makes a big difference in whether you're successful for a grant.

Edit: think it's not the Arts Council but Creative Scotland in your case. Probably best to ask other artists for advice on that one.

beetr00 · 03/05/2025 19:14

beetr00 · 03/05/2025 16:33

Just bumping for Friendly 🙂

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if you could help, please do. 🙂

eta; link

rubymitcham.com/contact/

Original poster
FriendlyLaundryMonster · 03/05/2025 18:10

@Shoezembagsforever Well done to your dd!

OP posts:
Amiable · 03/05/2025 17:51

That is fabulous! Well done your DD!

Shoezembagsforever · 03/05/2025 17:47

I’m now following her on Instagram and have sent the link to my own DD (who’s got one of her pieces as the poster for her A Level college’s summer exhibition!)