Kulha, 22, is also from Guinan, in Qinghai. She was the school’s first female student. Her family was not keen on her leaving home to study, but her uncle, an old monk friend of Kristel’s, talked them out of forcing her get married (at 17) and she is now in her fourth year. This girl is talented, spirited, has brains and wants to change the world for Tibetan female artists. Most thangka masters will not teach girls, or if they do, as yet, there are none who are teachers or masters. It is said a girls’ brain doesn’t have the capacity.