Local 8-Year Old Artist Selling Paintings To Benefit Local School Programs

Parin Patel, age 8, stands with one of his original paintings he's selling to benefit Edmonson County School programs.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
One local student is hoping to use his newly discovered talents to help Edmonson County Schools. 

Parin (pronounced Pa-REEN) Patel, an 8-year old resident of Chalybeate has recently taken up painting and he's looking to turn his new hobby into a fundraiser for Edmonson County Community Education and the EC Family Resource/Youth Services Centers.

Parin's family own and manage Chalybeate Food Mart on Chalybeate stretch, where the paintings are available at very affordable prices. His father, Manish, explained how Parin discovered his new hobby.

"Kids play so many games on the iPad and phone," said Manish. "Games are okay, but some kids do it all the time and it hurts their brains. We saw Parin using his games so much so we decided to limit his game time and encourage him to use his time for something better."

Manish said once Parin reacted so strongly to Manish removing the iPad from him, he knew it was time to look for other ways for Parin to spend his time. That's when Parin started watching YouTube videos on painting techniques and while his mom helped with a design or two to help get him started, he quickly developed a unique style that easily caught the eye of others.

After seeing how much Parin enjoyed painting, the pieces of art began to pile up and that's when the family had an idea: to sell the paintings and donate the money for some type of charity in Edmonson County.

Chalybeate Food Mart made a substantial donation to last year's Cram the Cruiser event, a local fundraiser that goes to provide school supplies and necessary items to help all Edmonson County students start the year with what's needed. Mr. Patel agreed that the same local cause would be a good beneficiary for Parin's work.

"We thought that Parin could maybe inspire other kids to do something like this," said Manish. "There's nothing wrong with playing games but there is more stuff to do than games all the time."

Parin picked up his favorite painting, which was a blue and purple blend of a night sky with the black outline of trees. 

"I like painting nights and stars," he said as he also described some techniques he used to achieve some of the effects, which included q-tips, toothpicks, and certain ways to manipulate brushes. 

Jamie Carnes, Supervisor of State and Federal Programs for Edmonson County Schools, said local school organizations have not been able to plan any type of event as they normally do because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

"We just don't know what--if anything--we're going to be able to do this year because of the pandemic, so Parin's efforts are certainly welcomed and appreciated by our programs," he said.

The paintings are various sizes. Currently, there are four 16 x 12s, ($15 each) two 8 x 10s, ($10 ea) and one 5 x 7. The paintings are not likely to last long but more are available at the store. 

You can stop by the store to see in-person or to order one of Parin's unique creations. All proceeds will benefit the school program.