What’s your fondest memory of being nine years old?
Typically, as nine-year olds we enjoyed playing – till the OMO adverts came to our parents’ rescue. When our older siblings weren’t reminding us to complete our homework, our eyes were glued to the telly (that is, for those that were nine at a good financial time). However, as time has changed so have mindsets, especially those of the children around us.
At nine years old, Sheilla Sheldon Charles has found, and is striving to uplift, her talent. Armed with a pencil or paintbrush and canvas, Sheilla produces art that speaks volumes of what she feels. When you learn a bit about her, your first impression is of a girl from Kwale, but her journey is well on its way to global recognition. The misconception of what nine-year-olds should be doing still persists, but Sheilla’s artwork has been enjoyed and endorsed by lovers of art and even by members of the Kenyan government.
Sheilla has always been talented. It only took her teacher’s intervention for her parents to become more aware of just how much. She was seven at the time, still drawing her favourite cartoons and displaying them in school. With each new drawing came more precision. Today, Sheilla’s artistry is known beyond her little coastal county.
When the thought of selling her work to contribute to her family’s livelihood crossed her mind, she jumped at the idea. Through the help of her father, they were able to carry some of her paintings to the beachside for display where they quickly sold. Tell us, how many other children so young are this biashara-oriented? Not that many.
Since then, the passion has continued to grow within Sheila and she recently started sketching and painting portraits – mostly of women, because she believes, and rightfully so, that women are the most important people in the family.
Today, Sheila continues to create art that brings joy and incites deep thinking on the issues women face in society. From gender inequity to access to education, Sheila is woke to say the least. She certainly embodies the positive spirit that Paukwa celebrates.
