People and the News

Freelance writer Dianne Klein, a former Times columnist, and staff photographer Gail Fisher are both intrigued by child prodigies, an interest that took them--and readers--into the world of child artist and international phenomenon Alexandra Nechita.

AWARDS

Orange County Press Club

1st Place: Feature Story

1st Place: Photo Essay

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Alexandra the Great Turning Heads, Profits

By DIANNE KLEIN

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

April 26, 1996

Perhaps if she didn’t believe in angels, and destiny, and the pure, immigrants’ version of the American Dream, Alexandra Nechita might be surprised by her success. Within nine months, she’s had 16 solo exhibits of her paintings, at least $1.5 million in sales. There’s a growing waiting list of people who have paid deposits of $10,000 toward the purchase of whatever she paints next.

Maybe, you think, she would be a tad overwhelmed. National and international television crews trail her. Vanity Fair has shot a spread. Her own book, “Outside the Lines,” is on the shelves. She’s done Europe. The Gap wants her to model its clothes. Collectors of her work tend to cast their praise in near messianic, spiritual terms. Her Costa Mesa agent says future exhibits in the world’s great museums--the Met, the Tate, the Louvre!--wouldn’t be out of line.

Except the shock, the often paralyzing sinking-in, hasn’t happened yet. Even though Alexandra Nechita is already 10 years old.

She speaks of the past, when she was rounding the corner on 9: “I didn’t know anything about art deals or business. I didn’t know how to sell paintings. I painted. My parents were the ones who took care of business. It’s still not my thing. I don’t need to know. I’m still a child. I’m just painting and minding my own business.”