Painter of the Month

Hector, the Bronx NYC

It looks like 2009 is going to be a great year for A.R.T. We have the underwriting to do six more new program start-ups around the country. This should be exciting and on top of that we have the growing word of mouth concerning the breath-taking leap A.R.T. can bring organizations that serve those with severe physical challenges. There are some signs Flying Colors, the book about A.R.T. and those first amazing painters, is gaining traction. Getting a steady stream of e-mails from new readers. If Flying Colors catches true traction, as it seems it could, doors will fly open for A.R.T.! Let the adventure of getting calls for our program from all over the country begin!

After starting the new A.R.T. studio program in San Diego Roz and I headed for the Bronx and BOOM! Everything lit up!

The Bronx A.R.T. artist Tasia, we were informed, was not a happy camper. A litany of complaints concerning the frustrations of things blocking her from real life. But with us? With A.R.T.? After her first painting? Tasia let loose the sweetest laugh. It was so nice to listen to, so full of relief and pleasure. True happiness. Full, all out, beautiful to be near. This was the real feeling of Christmas... the real Christmas present for Top Tracker Roz and I.

We were told Tasia's mom burst into tears when she saw the paintings made for the first time freed from any restraints.

Into the studio rolls Hector. I tell him, quickly, quietly, about the techniques. A staff-person suggested Hector wasn’t understanding anything I said. The misunderstanding wasn't Hectors. I could feel Hector, sitting close to me, locked into what he was being offered. I could feel, clearly, he was ready to rock and roll. We always defer to the new artist, trusting based on years in the field, that they will click in when they hear someone speaking calmly, dead seriously with them.

Okay, here goes. Do you know what 'color field' painting is? It's a famous form of abstraction where the entire canvas is handled as one field, i.e. no composition, but only the relation of strokes and color to the single whole. So Hector, the young guy who supposedly did not understand what I had said, immediately, gave clearl signals where to cut his canvas from the roll. Very clear. Very decisive, the Tracker checking twice each time to be sure, Hector impatient. He orders the canvas be painted black, directs the mixing of green and gold, selects his application tool, chooses to use the laser system. Everything in readiness Hector let's the laser fly, zipping free and fast over the black field, the jazzy gold green lighting up over the dark void. Zing, zing, zing! Lost in the freedom, the real action, the act of creating, Hector laughs. Not simply ha ha laughs, but this beautiful sound of pleasure and relief.

A clear signal he is done, there stands his very first painting. Such a pure painting. A painting of one thing: his energy lighting up over the darkness. And get this, using an alphabet board he titles it, 'Absolute'. We'll post the buddy photo Roz shot of Hector and his pal Luis, another kick-ass new A.R.T. painter.

The rest of this Painter of the Month is an e-mail I got today from our staff contact in the Bronx..........................

“I asked the artists if they wanted to work on A.R.T. Luis, Hector and Tasia charged their wheelchairs and they all almost crashed into each other! I am not kidding!!!! Hector went first. And as usual he gets right to the point. He chooses a big size of canvas. His base color is hot pink!!!! And his laser system of brush dancing is with dirty pink! And I believe it may have not been a coincidence Bonnie – the Bronx A.R.T. Tracker- is wearing this hot pink undershirt under her sweater. And the undershirt has a pink lace, Hectors hot pink is exactly the same hot pink as Bonnie’s. So, the track lights are on, hot pink so dominant and big, and Hector asks me to turn the overhead fluorescent lights off. Ok I turned them off, and the scene is almost psychedelic.” .............................

You see this scene? You feel how alive it is?

We're told December is a prime time for giving to charities and we hope you'll keep us in mind if you're looking to end your fiscal year by making a contribution to a worthy cause. We will get back to you with new adventures in 2009.