Portsmouth Arts Guild                                                                                                January 2006

Avery Boruch                                                                                                                 Featured Artist

Avery is Portsmouth Arts Guild's youngest member.  At 5 years old, tiny Avery stands 41 inches tall and
weighs just 35 pounds, but her spirit is larger than life.  
Avery was born in Newport in May, 2000 to John Boruch, an airline pilot and builder and Allayne Boruch, a
lawyer turned stay at home mother.  Neither parent is an artist, although there are several exceptionally
musically gifted cousins.  
Avery began painting watercolors at 18 months when her aunt gifted her with a child's watercolor book and
paints.  Soon, Avery was painting several times a day, filling up her books, then blank paper, cardboard
boxes or anything else she could find.  By the time Avery was three years old, she was sneaking paints
behind the couch or up to her bedroom.  Then she began naming her paintings "Earth", "Planet", "Spirit."  
Allayne framed her first "series" and thought it would be fun to preserve some of her watercolors, as so many
were shoved in drawers, torn or thrown out.  
In the autumn of 2004, Allayne decided to buy Avery a set of acrylics and some canvases at a discount store.
 Avery immediately took to this new way of  painting and within a week she had four or five paintings going at
once.  The colors were much more vibrant and resisted fading.  Avery painted "Baby in the Circle of Life" (her
parents laughed at this name from a four year old).  Then came "Big Fish", "Birthday Bouquet", "Sunflower"
(given to the babysitter when it was barely dried, unsigned), "Wind", "Owl" to name a few.  Some were more
abstract than others, surprisingly the names fit.  
By now Allayne & John realized that something more than just a-child-who-loved-to-paint was happening.  
They had so many questions: about Avery's artwork, should they keep it to themselves or show it to others.  
How should they share it with th world?  Allayne went to a local gallery.  They were willing to take a couple of
pieces to sell.
In November, the first news reporter and photographer came to the house to interviewed Avery and her
parents.  The interview lasted over 2 hours.  Avery had a ball.  But the first gallery decided that it didn't want
it's name in the story, and the story was never printed.
Next, Allayne took a couple of pieces to the Boulevarde Gallery.  She was looking for some insight and
expertise.  She was told that she had a prodigy and a big responsibility on her hands.  Avery exhibited "Black
Stallion" there.  Soon, two TV news crews came, and more newpapers.  Avery took it all in stride, as a matter
of course.  
Avery had her own exhibit as featured artist at Jack & Josies Coffee Lounge in Newport at the age of four.  
She received an honorable mention for her watercolor "Happy Face" at the Guild's Spring show.
Avery has exhibited at the Hope Gallery in Bristol, Green River Gallery, Bristol and Spring Bull Gallery in
Newport, was window featured at Arnold Art and the Clayroom, and Portsmouth Town Hall.
Recently, Allayne submitted three works without indication of Avery's age to the Wickford Art Association's
Annual Open Juried Avante Guarde Abstract Art Show.  All three pieces were accepted and exhibited.  The
Art Association was thrilled to later learn who Avery was and happy to meet her.  They invited Avery back
ANY TIME.  
Avery donated paintings to various charities which help children.  Donations of her artwork have helped to
raise over $2,000 for charity this past year.
Avery has a very deliberate and focused way of using color in her paintings.  Her color choice and
placement, changing the value of color and moving light and dark within a painting are innate.  Reference
has been made to fauvism amoung other styles.  She prefers to paint acrylics at night, when it's quiet in the
house.  Painting relaxes her.  Avery is very focused and a deep thinker.  Oftentimes, she will not respond to a
question while she is painting, or she might say "Can we not talk" or "No talking".  She will not explain why she
does something the way that she does.  She likes to paint to music, usually very loud music.  Avery prefers
the Grateful Dead "Hundred Year Hall" or "Dead Set".  
Avery is smart and well adjusted and loves school (although she complained of being bored the first two
weeks of kindergarten, she now takes an assortment of books to share on the bus "It gives me something to
do".)  Avery always carries a pen and notepad for drawing and writing.  She is learning to tie her shoes and
can't wait to read.
Avery has a way of looking at life and interpreting what she sees in terms of color.  Her mother believes that
there is something that happens within the brain which is translated onto the canvas.  Even as a very small
child, Avery was always "all about color".  Regarding "Moonlight" her mother recently asked Avery, "Is this
how you see the night sky?"  Avery replied, "Yes."  Her mother said of the way that she sees things, "That's
beautiful."
Avery's spirit shines through in her paintings.  She has a style of her own and paints without any inhibition or
worry of criticism.  It is a very free way of painting and her happiness is reflected in her use of bright colors,
perhaps more color than most people can take, regards her mother.  Nevertheless the beauty is in her own
style, not yet influenced by outside forces.
Visit www.artbyavery.com to view more of Avery Boruch's art.