Kohlton McKinnon

WORDS BY MISHELLE LAVOIE

I wanted to introduce art to Kohlton at a young age and have him explore the textures and colours of different art mediums. Being a creative person, and an artist myself, it was important that he experience art. Painting, I thought, would be a great introduction since it’s so accessible and can be inexpensive, and also because children love to get messy. He seems to love to use his hands rather than brushes and loves to glob it on the canvas. Kohlton probably paints a new piece at least every week or two and definitely enjoys getting messy, and leaving paint everywhere I allow him.

Kohlton McKinnon is a 4-year-old born to Inuvialuit, Shutoatine Dene, and Métis parents. He is in Junior Kindergarten and is currently living in Yellowknife. He enjoys anything related to firefighting, Curious George, and of course, painting. As a young toddler, he would grab a pen or a marker and scribble all over any piece of paper he could find, so it seemed natural to let him try painting. When asked why he likes to paint he replied, "Well, I just like to paint. It’s messy and fun. And I get to paint fire trucks!" Kohlton's style is more abstract and he likes to mix colours rather than make distinct images. His preferred medium is acrylic on canvas but he likes to colour with his mom's good markers when she’s not looking.

Kohlton's style is more abstract and he likes to mix colours rather than make distinct images.