While the 10-year-old artist, from Norwalk by way of Romania, and her abstract paintings are turning heads around the world, her agent in Costa Mesa is helping to turn profits.

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.

Today, most of Alexandra's paintings sell for between $30,000 and $60,000, although one just sold for $80,000. Prices offered--and refused--for paintings in her private collection have gone as high as $150,000. Alexandra's next show at the Costa Mesa gallery is May 11. Her book tour starts in June, after school is out.

And if all the hubbub ended tomorrow? "I know what I have is a gift from God and Jesus and the angels," Alexandra says. "Everything could stop and finish today. I wouldn't care. If people hated me and my paintings, I wouldn't care. I'd still paint."

http://articles.latimes.com/1996-04-26/news/ls-63836_1_alexandra-nechita

Los Angeles Times Staff Photography: Gail Fisher

Special To The Times, Writer: Diane Klein