In 1998 my youngest brother, Kelton, was diagnosed with autism, a developmental disability that affects communication and social interaction. Autism currently affects 1/88 people in the United States. Kelton is a talented individual who runs cross-country and track, wrestles, plays the drums, loves history, and collects bobble heads and keychains.

This year Kelton decided to enroll in his first art class where he discovered his skill for drawing. His unorthodox style made me reconsider my artwork and examine the differences and similarities that exist between our perspectives. According to Paul Collins’ Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism, artists are four times more likely to have autism in their families. Considering the number of artists in my family, this statistic made me question the similarities that exist between Kelton and me. For this reason, we have decided to draw one of his 6,481 keychains a day for one year. These drawings will be as simple and uninhibited as possible. This project will explore our individual perspectives and examine the similarities that exist between us as artists.

Day 360


Justin and his family: Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

Justin with girlfriend Paloma: Andrea Morales/The New York Times

Justin working at Gencarelli's Bakery in Bloomfield, NJ.
Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

Justin's composition book: Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

Justin Canha: Mother and Child 3

I recently read the article Autistic and Seeking a Place in an Adult World in the New York Times. Justin Canha, a 22-year-old artist from NJ, has successfully found work, friends, and a girlfriend despite his struggles with autism. Through his family and transition teacher, Kate Stanton-Paule, he’s developed social, vocational, and sensory strategies to cope with the overwhelming rules of our society.


Canha started drawing as a young child as a form of communication. From there he started filling his composition books with miniature cartoon characters and used art to complete school assignments. In 2008 the Ricco Maresca Gallery in NYC sold 12 of his paintings at the Outsider Art Fair, some for as much as $4,000! With such early success, his family started thinking about a future in art. After his senior year, he started the 18-21 transition curriculum at Montclair High, which was a progressive post-secondary program that emphasized community interaction. He volunteered at a library, animal shelter, and elementary school and eventually got an internship at an animation studio, Nightstand Creations. After the internship he started working at a bakery and currently works in an art store. He hasn’t become a famous animator-illustrator yet, but continues to draw and paint until he reaches that goal.

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