Day 365

Kelt's Dream Poster, inspired by Justin Canha's

From this project I learned that I'm really good at art. I like drawing the most, especially things from my mind. I also want to be in more shows. I like talking to people about my drawings. Many autistic people are good at art. I want to be famous and somehow put art and history together. -Kelt

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.

Day 339

I recently came across the blog, Grow Your Brain, by artist Seth Chwast, which shows his work and exhibitions. He's been shown at the Museum of Modern Art in Ukraine and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History; has a mural at the Time Equities Building in NYC; is one of the 54 artists in the book Artism; and co-wrote a book with his mom, An Unexpected Life, to list a few of his accomplishments.

"Chwast was diagnosed with autism as a very young child, lived for years in a world of roller coasters, haunted houses and classical music. A dramatic change came in 2003, when at age 20 he took an oil painting class at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Seth, who rarely speaks, began describing his world in paint. He displayed an innate ability to mix colors and create amazing works of art that reflect his vision of his world and the world around him." -Grow Your Brain

Six Self Studies, 70" x 84", acrylic on canvas, 2005

Museum of Modern Art, Ukraine

Manhattan Floating, 104 individual panels 16" x 24", 2010, Time Equities Building, NYC

New York, New York Right Side with Crane and Clock, 22" x 22", graphite on paper, 2010

Day 337

Gauguin & Me, oil

Iranian Bus, 18 x 24", oil, 2009

In Spokane my Mom recently went to a local grocery store and found a magazine called The Autism File. This is a quarterly publication that covers a variety of issues about autism, such as therapy, diets and recipes, new books, family, personal stories, and communication, etc. Each issue also features an artist with autism in a segment called Mind's Eye: Art across the spectrum... Coincidentally the artist in the summer issue, Kevin Hosseini, is one of the artists featured in Artism, which is a book I've been discussing for the past couple of weeks. Hosseini is only 16 and has already been shown at the Museum of Modern Art in Ukraine, Soho Digital Art Gallery in NYC, and has 55 paintings on regular display at the UCSB Koegel Autism Clinic in Santa Barbara, etc. He has an advanced style that's been compared to artists such as Gauguin, Matisse, Picasso, and Van Gogh. To see more of his paintings, check out is website at kevingallery.com.

Day 331

Kelt got this keychain today from a thrift store in Spokane. So inappropriate!

Justin Dixon is another artist that's introduced in the book Artism. This book shows 54 artists across the world with autism that range in age and experience. Dixon is a 17-year-old emerging artist from New Jersey that draws and paints his favorite logos that he collects from a variety of tv shows and movies. Besides painting, he enjoys watching games shows, swimming, bowling, and playing the xylophone. To learn more about the different artists in the book, check out the website, Artism Today.

Day 328

Sutherland Hotel, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2001

Flying High, 2000, 12 x 9.5", acrylic

"When an individual is marked by disability a small gesture of acceptance, empathy and caring can lift that person's spirits and help in their recovery process literally sending them flying high in spirit and emotion." - Smoluk

For the next week we're going to discuss different artists that were published in the book Artism. This work was done by artist Ryan Smoluk from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He paints with acrylic, draws comics, and sculpts with clay, etc. He's shown his work in numerous galleries across North American and has four murals in Winnipeg! To see more of his work, check out ryansmoluk.ca.

Day 325

Garde Rail Gallery Blog

The Cougars, 24 x 36", 2009
graphite, colored pencil, crayon, permanent marker on paper

The Historic F Outboard Raceboat Equipment of the 1950s-1970s Southern-To-Pacific Coast
US Regions, 24 x 48", 2006, graphite, colored pencil, crayon, permanent marker on paper

For the next couple of weeks we're going to feature different artists with autism from the book Artism. This work was done by artist Gregory Blackstock from Seattle. He uses ink, pencil, markers, and crayons to create works of repetition. Along with art he also plays the accordion, piano, and organ; has a great memory; and speaks many languages. He is represented by the Garde Rail Gallery in Seattle and has his own book, Blackstock's Collections. To see more drawings, check out Garde Rail Gallery.

Video: King 5 Evening Magazine, Sept. 29, 2011