Adapted art: quadriplegic artists

They say art “helps,” it’s therapeutic physically and emotionally, and they’re right. Studies prove this over and over again. Whether you’re building on skills or learning a completely new skill in the middle of your life, making art process lights up the brain, it releases all those good chemicals that make us feel alive.

This is why a lot of folks after sustaining a spinal cord injury get into adapted art. It feels good, real good. There is SO much pleasure received when you create something with your own two hands (or mouth or feet). To say, “I did that” is an awesome thing.

And painting is the go-to art form for people with SCI (why? not sure). If you’re paralyzed, the one thing that’s great about painting is that it can be thrown down (on the canvas) in so many ways. Here are some of the best examples.

The first video comes from one of the coolest, prettiest and well known mouth painters out there (who does oil and creates mixed-media projects), SPINALpedia member Mariam (her official site). She’s a C5-6 quad from Chicago. After her injury, one of her therapists introduced her to mouth painting and since that moment, she’s created some of the most visually stunning pieces ever created by any mouth painter or adapted artist.

In her 4 minute video, watch a time lapse of Mariam as she paints a piece inspired by MC Escher. She shows her layering technique, as well as her trick for reaching the top of the canvas so it still looks as good as the lower half. Watch her video

The second video shows Tommy Hollenstein, a California-based adapted artist who’s put a completely different spin on quads painting (mouth painting wasn‘t for him). He paints with his power chair using acrylic paint (painted onto his wheels by assistants), and creates brightly colored abstract pieces. In this video, watch him paint live in a storefront window (with his friend Joe Pesci even stopping by for a visit. Who has HIM as a friend?? Tommy must be rad).

Our last video is perfect for Halloween. The father of our co-founder Britt, is a C6-7 quad (and is SPINALmember fomart). He developed a rather cool passion post-injury – painting paper mache skulls (a la Dia de Los Muertos). In this video, watch him use a simple C-cuff to hold his paint brush as he paints a bright blue skull with total finesse.

What’s better in life than putting beautiful things out into the world? Not much. I do believe it’s time for me to find a new crafty pursuit in adapted art. What do you say – beaded jewelry or chalk portraits? (chalk is so not a lost art form, right?)

What kind of adapted art have you pursued post-injury? Do you paint? How do you do it?

Watch the videos!

– Mariam Pare time-lapse adapted art painting, “Keep Me In My Place”

– Adapted art from Tommy Hollenstein painting live on Hollywood Blvd

– C6-7 quad paints paper mache skulls