ANTIGONISH, N.S. — ANTIGONISH - It comes as no surprise that, with a few free minutes before the opening of her first exhibition, Maddy LaBrash was drawing.
Her mother, Gisele, said her daughter has been doing just that since the youngster could hold a crayon.
Work from the budding 10-year-old artist will be on display at the Tall and Small Cafe on Main Street in Antigonish this month.
While sitting around one of the eatery's tables, with her younger twin sisters colouring next to her as she placed colourful strokes on the back of a placement, Maddy talked about her love for drawing and painting.
"It is one of my favourite things," the Grade 5 student at Saint Andrew Junior School said with a smile.
Maddy draws or paints whenever and wherever she can.
"How many sketch books do you think I have filled?" she asked her mother.
Although Gisele could not offer a specific tally, there are many filled with her creations.
The proud mother noticed Tall and Small was looking for an artist to exhibit their work this month, so she thought Maddy would be a perfect fit. So did the owners, who have been longtime supporters of artists in the area. Gisele noted their only concern was if Maddy had enough pieces to display.
With more than 30 pieces lining the walls on that opening day, obviously that wasn't an issue. And, there are more paintings and drawings waiting in the wings, if required.
"It's cool," Maddy said, when asked about her first exhibition.
She not only creates colourful characters, but also names them; Razor, nestled on a ledge over her shoulder, is one of her favourites.
There is also a portrait of her dog Pablo, a lhasa apso and chihuahua mix.
Maddy is an animal lover; her family also has three cats - Miko, Callie and Ginger.
"My imagination," she offered, when asked where she gets her artistic ideas.
At times, there may be something she sees that she wants to draw, but it always includes a twist, a way in which the drawing or painting is made unique.
Her favourite colour is turquoise, but many shades - as one quickly sees - are part of her palette.
Each character includes a descripton - she also enjoys writing - while dabbling in comic books is one of the newest elements of her repetoire.
Maddy also works with clay, describing how she made a colourful shark and dinosaur; starting only with one of those familiar dollar store toy skeletons.
"They are a lot of fun," she said.
Maddy enjoys video games and swimming, while also possessing a knack for eletronics.
"She couldn't get it working, but I was able to get it on right away," she said, with a chuckle, of her mother's television.
Maddy's work will be on display until the end of December.
