Sunday, March 23, 2014

Artist of the Day - The incredible Paul Smith!

I can take no credit for painstakingly browsing through the artwork featured on my various art association galleries to find this gentleman.  This was actually the easiest discovery ever.  He was brought to my attention via an email from my cousin Karen.  Thanks Kar!  As a matter of fact, I am going to simply copy and paste the information as presented in the email to tell his amazing story.
 
 

Just a Typewriter
He lived at Rose Haven Nursing Home ( Roseburg , OR ) for years.  Paul Smith, the man with extra ordinary talent was born
On September 21, 1921, with severe cerebral palsy.  

Not only had Paul beaten the odds of a life with spastic Cerebral palsy, a disability that impeded his speech and Mobility but also taught himself to become a master artist As well as a terrific chess player even after being devoid Of a formal education as a child. 

"When typing, Paul used his left hand to steady his right one. Since he couldn't press two keys at the same time, He almost always locked the shift key down and Made his pictures using the symbols at the top Of the number keys.

In other words, his pictures were based on these Characters ..... @ # $ % ^ & * ( )_ . Across seven decades, Paul created hundreds of pictures.  

He often gave the originals away. Sometimes, but not always, he kept or received a copy for his own records.  

As his mastery of the typewriter grew, he developed techniques to create shadings, colors, and textures that made his work resemble pencil or charcoal drawings." 

This great man passed away on June 25, 2009, but left behind a collection of his amazing artwork that will be an inspiration for many.
 
There are quite a few examples of Paul's artwork included in the email, so I'll
post a few of them here to showcase his accomplishments.  Enjoy!  If anyone would like to see more of the artwork, please let me know, and I'll be happy to forward the email to you. 







    
     

 

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