How Akiane Convinced the World She Wasn't Crazy

Have you ever heard of Akiane, the child prodigy who's been setting the world on its ear since she was four? Akiane is a magnificent example of the hand of God in our lives, but there are many who don't see it that way. As a matter of fact, there are many who she was just another rambling lunatic when she first made her splash on the world. One blog post asked, "[Is] Akiane Kramarik inspired by God or just plain crazy?" This amazing young woman is leaving no doubt in anyone's mind what the answer happens to be. Akiane's History Akiane was born July 9, 1994 in Mt. Morris, Illinois. Neither her Lithuanian mother nor her American father were Christian yet Akiane, at the age of 4, came face to face with God. Neither parent had taught her the Bible, yet she was able to speak with ease about the Lord and the things he had done. It was through her faith that her family was able to come to God. At the age of four Akiane began to draw, and almost immediately she displayed an amazing talent for detail. At the age of six she began to paint, not the simple paintings of a child but portraits that showed an incredible depth of character for a young child. Her paintings, she says, come to her in visions in her dreams and are created in what she terms "Akianism"-a spectacular blend of realism and imaginism. Akiane in the Media It wasn't long before Akiane's tremendous gift was discovered. At the age of nine she appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, Fox Magazine, Fox News, The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson and CNN with Lou Dobbs. She's also appeared on the Wayne Brady Show, KREM 2 News (CBS) and Today's Christian, and she's been interviewed and featured in Russia and Scotland. By the age of ten young Akiane was a bit of a celebrity in the art world. "What sets Akiane apart from other child prodigies is that her paintings are so realistic and so full of emotion," said Lou Dobbs. "It is much more common for child prodigies to produce abstract art. Realism of this quality in a child is quite unusual. To see this kind of detail, the flair is just incredible! It is a gift! Amazing gift! What a remarkable young lady!” Akiane's Spirit Akiane's celebrity might have been enough to silence the naysayers out there, but it's her faith and her spirit that have people believing that this young woman is truly being guided by the hands of God. At a very young age she began speaking of Christ and our need for redemption, and at an age when most girls are worried about what they're going to wear or what music group made the Top 40 Akiane is dedicating herself to her art, her message and helping use her talents to make the world a better place. She is already an active participant in helping improve the living conditions of children in Lithuania, her mother's homeland. "[I wish] that everyone would love God and one another," says Akiane, who states that her life goal is to share her love for God and people around the world. Gasmonso (2006). "Akiane Kramarik-Inspired by God or Just Plain Crazy?" Religious Freaks.com. Retrieved July 7, 2009 from http://religiousfreaks.com/2006/12/15/akiane-kramarik-inspired-by-god-or-just-plain-crazy.