Keychain A Day: drawings

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.

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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

Self-Portrait, oil pastel and collage

Kelt's art teacher also asked him to submit a drawing for the Washington State Annual Superintendent's High School Art Show! Only a small group of students were selected. He chose this one.

Day 51

Some examples of Kelton's art from his drawing class.

Day 365

Day 355

Day 335

Day 183

Day 167

Day 51