Essey Habtu may only be 13, but he's already painting oil portraits like a seasoned pro — and taking that talent to the bank. The Grade 8 student at Winnipeg Mennonite Elementary and Middle Schools started posting photos of his oil paintings to Instagram last July, thanks in part to the encouragement of his teacher, Sheri Kovacs. He took up oil painting and says he loved the calming effects of the brush strokes. When Kovacs, who teaches French and art, saw his oil paintings, she said she was blown away. Since he began posting his paintings on Instagram, Habtu has sold five, two of which were commissions.

Source: CBC News May 26, 2021 22:41 UTC