A five-year-old girl who is being dubbed the “new Monet” is now using her new friend Thula the cat as inspiration for her work.
Iris Grace Halmshaw was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and is mostly nonverbal. However, she has been creating impressionist-style artwork since she was three and some of her work is already selling for as much as £1,500.
“From the first painting, she filled the paper with colour and it wasn’t random, it was considered and thought out,” said her mother, Arabella Carter-Johnson.
Thula joined their family in February and according to Iris’ family, her presence has had a big effect with Iris already using more words in order to give instructions to Thula. Thula has slept in Iris’s arms since her first night at the house.
Iris and Thula play together. (Pics: Arabella Carter-Johnson) 
