Amie Douglas pointing at her work in the Summer Exhibition.

Painting by Muswell Hill pupil, 11, chosen for Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

By Denise Roland Monday, June 25, 2012
10:00 AM

Talented 11-year-old Amie Douglas’ painting of a friend’s dog has been selected for the Royal Academy of Arts’ prestigious Summer Exhibition.

Amie, of Victoria Road, Muswell Hill, is one of only four children whose artwork was chosen for the 1,400-strong exhibition.

Her acrylic-on-canvas painting competed with 11,000 entries, from both amateur and established artists, to make it into the show alongside major players like Tracey Emin.

The young artist’s mother Julia, 50, said: “She is very excited about being chosen. Amie has always had a flair for art and draws every day.

“She has a knack for seeing things that others don’t.”

Judges do not know the age of entrants and there is no lower age limit for submissions, but Julia said they were shocked to discover the painting was the work of an 11-year-old.

Amie, a pupil at Rhodes Avenue primary school in Rhodes Avenue, Muswell Hill, painted Cassie the dog from memory after hearing that the pet had to be put down after a traffic accident.

Amie has yet to tell Cassie’s owner, a family friend, that the painting is hanging in the hallowed space.

The image was one of a handful chosen by the Academy to be used on greeting cards plugging the Summer Exhibition, which runs until August 12 in the Piccadilly venue’s Main Galleries.