AT two, this boy started to scribble using pencil and crayons.
At three, he started to draw basic forms and angles and requested for more crayons and drawing books. At five, he was enrolled in an art class in his Montessori school.
At six, he has his own art exhibit in DepEd’s Regional Festival of Talents. That’s Arkin Yohann Gulles Solitario whose name means “a sovereign son who is a gift from a very precious God”.
Yohann, or U1 (yu-wan) as he is dotingly called, is no ordinary boy. He could be seen playing around like boys of his age, but he has a magical way of holding a paint brush and mixing different colors. His parents Reynante, schools division superintendent of DepEd Compostela Valley Division, and Genamie, teachers’ credential evaluator II of DepEd Regional Office, was not so keen at first on Yohann’s fondness for drawing.
But they already noticed that he wanted to look at pictures and colors when he was just a year old. Instead of asking for water toy guns or matchbox cars like most children do, Yohann prefers crayons and drawing books. Sometimes he would choose books and listen to nursery rhymes. It was only last summer when he started using canvas for his paintings.
With the help of his art teacher, Geoff Casan, Yohann was introduced to the basic mixing of acrylic paints. Though he could not read long sentences yet in his early age, his passion to paint is articulated well in all his artworks.
On November 23 at Davao City National High School, Yohann showcased his very first art exhibit with 20 framed paintings.
All were sold out except for two paintings that his parents purposely reserved. The 16 x 20 paintings were sold for 2,500; 12 x 16 for 1,500; and 9 x 12 for 1,200. All the proceeds were kept in Yohann’s own passbook bank account.
As young as 6, Yohann has earned his own savings aside from earning respect and admiration from elders. After the exhibit, Yohann temporarily stopped painting and focused on other things.
But recently, he started painting again.
His first paintings for the year are more on water artworks from waterfalls to waterlilies on a pond.
After some artwork collection, Yohann might have a second round of art exhibit again. Yohann also loves Lego building, but it is in the holding of the paint brush that makes him want to explore more.
At a young age, Yohann can determine the right blending of colors for life-like artwork.
He paints like a pro. He dreams to become a doctor like most of the children.
But as early as now he recognizes his ability to paint that’s why he said he would want to become an artist.
In Yohann’s case, everything is possible.
As they say, every child is a gift. For Reynante and Genamie, they received the best gift ever packaged with the most endearing talent.