Chicago-area prodigy Akiane Kramarik made a name for herself in the art world at just 8 years old when her painting of Jesus launched her career. Latest U.S.

SPOKANE, Wash., June 4, 2005 — -- At the age of 10, Akiane Kramarik already is a seasoned artist. After all, she started at age 4. "She started drawing on walls with tomatoes, with charcoal ...

Akiane's painting, The First, hangs in the Joan Irvine Smith and Athalie R. Clark Foundation Gallery at Sage Hill School. Akiane pained The First at 15 and says it was inspired by emotion.

Akiane completed this coveted 36”x 48” oil painting in 2003 when she was 8-years old. The painting took more than 40 hours to complete and was nearly twice her size.