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Kodie Smith:Angel Boy Art Featured Artist, March 2008
Kodie Smith is the youngest of five children. Kodie has changed our family so much and for the better. We thank the Lord each day for blessing our family with 5 wonderful children and for opening our eyes to the all the little things and the big things in the world. The excitement when Kodie finally accomplishes something that she has been working so hard to achieve, like walking at the age of 3, riding a tricycle at the age of 5, after months of working with her physical therapist to learn how to pedal the thing, the steering was another fun adventure. I think she has left a few marks in the hallways of the hospital from crashing into the wall with the tricycle. The frustration of trying to transition from trike to bike, to realize that is something that may not happen and the sadness of her outgrowing the tricycle, to the blessing of her dear friend Rishi and his Gift Foundation, buying Kodie an adaptive tricycle this past Christmas season. The joy she had as it was presented at HomeConnection's Joyful Celebration and off she rode through the church.
To see the world through her eyes is so fun, she can find joy in the smallest of things. She is bright, energetic, funny and full of life. The years have brought us on a roller coaster of emotions, frustrations, fighting the insurance company, and many more adventures. Through it all we have grown as family.
One thing that Kodie began early was her love of coloring and drawing. Pictures that began to emerge around the age of three, she would draw what she saw and with amazing details. Although now she will draw stick people on occasion, she never began drawing people as sticks; she drew them with legs, arms and bodies and then colored on the clothes. She then discovered animals, mostly rabbits, rabbits and rabbits. Well the animals have expanded into penguins, orcas and a few other critters on occasion. She was able to go to Sea World this past summer, as we were in California for a family reunion. We figured we would take her to see real penguins. She fell in love with not only the penguins, but also Shamu. When most kids would have found it all overwhelming, she hung in there all day, but the meltdown did occur, when we had to leave. That is about the only time Kodie has meltdowns, she hates to leave places where she is having fun and seeing all sorts of things. She loves to go onadventures and we know she will never leave a stone unturned. She has a wonderful zeal for living life to the fullest. May we all learn to live life to the fullest and to take advantage of all the Lord has blessed and given us.
Kodie Smith:Angel Boy Art Featured Artist, March 2008
Kodie Smith is the youngest of five children. Kodie has changed our family so much and for the better. We thank the Lord each day for blessing our family with 5 wonderful children and for opening our eyes to the all the little things and the big things in the world. The excitement when Kodie finally accomplishes something that she has been working so hard to achieve, like walking at the age of 3, riding a tricycle at the age of 5, after months of working with her physical therapist to learn how to pedal the thing, the steering was another fun adventure. I think she has left a few marks in the hallways of the hospital from crashing into the wall with the tricycle. The frustration of trying to transition from trike to bike, to realize that is something that may not happen and the sadness of her outgrowing the tricycle, to the blessing of her dear friend Rishi and his Gift Foundation, buying Kodie an adaptive tricycle this past Christmas season. The joy she had as it was presented at HomeConnection's Joyful Celebration and off she rode through the church.
To see the world through her eyes is so fun, she can find joy in the smallest of things. She is bright, energetic, funny and full of life. The years have brought us on a roller coaster of emotions, frustrations, fighting the insurance company, and many more adventures. Through it all we have grown as family.
One thing that Kodie began early was her love of coloring and drawing. Pictures that began to emerge around the age of three, she would draw what she saw and with amazing details. Although now she will draw stick people on occasion, she never began drawing people as sticks; she drew them with legs, arms and bodies and then colored on the clothes. She then discovered animals, mostly rabbits, rabbits and rabbits. Well the animals have expanded into penguins, orcas and a few other critters on occasion. She was able to go to Sea World this past summer, as we were in California for a family reunion. We figured we would take her to see real penguins. She fell in love with not only the penguins, but also Shamu. When most kids would have found it all overwhelming, she hung in there all day, but the meltdown did occur, when we had to leave. That is about the only time Kodie has meltdowns, she hates to leave places where she is having fun and seeing all sorts of things. She loves to go onadventures and we know she will never leave a stone unturned. She has a wonderful zeal for living life to the fullest. May we all learn to live life to the fullest and to take advantage of all the Lord has blessed and given us.
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About Louie Jr.
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Julie Ann Mills-Testi: The Mouth Painter
Art: creation by human endeavor rather than by nature. This could not be truer when speaking about Julie Ann Mills-Testi, better known to many as "the mouth painter."
Julie's Artist Statement:
Painting is My Way of Dancing: A Release of My Inner Soul! Unable to use my arms/hands and limited use of my legs/feet due to a birth defect called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, I paint and write by holding a aintbrush/pencil in my teeth. Holding the paintbrush in my teeth is like a beautiful dance as the strokes of the paintbrush guide the watercolor and gouache across the canvas creating various themes in life. Each painting is exquisite and special through brilliant colors and captivating movement.Yet, there is warmth and peace in my paintings. My vision is to inspire all through my paintings and my challenges of life that all things are possible and my love for the dance of life.
Julie's Story:
44 year old Julie Ann, a Eugene, Oregon, resident reached out to Angel Boy Art shortly after seeing the Vitale family on ABC's Extreme Home Makeover. Perhaps Julie seen a bit of herself in little Louie Vitale Jr.; as she too began painting as a release at the tender age of just 3.
Regardless of the reason which surrounds Julie's generous gift of her life's ambition, Angel Boy Art is honored to have such an amazing artist and inspiration as a part of the ABA auction gallery.
Born April 30th, 1963 in Orange, California, Julie Ann's family was faced with the news of her rare disability. Julie Ann was born with Arthrogryposis, a severe birth defect within her nervous system; it is because of this that Julie has never had the use of her hands. Julie Ann's family would go on to teach her that every person is intended to have a character of their own, regardless of restrictions; Julie Ann would be what no other is, and would do what no other can do.
While Julie Ann spoke candidly to Angel Boy Art about the trials and tribulations which surround her life, she was more eager to share with Angel Boy Art the details of her personal evolution as a disabled person and what it is that art truly means to her. "I can't run, I can't dance or do ballet, so this is my way of dancing."
Julie Ann chooses to surround herself with magnificent colors that represent a variety of her inner-most emotions. Whereas warmer colors signify peace and freedom within Julie Ann, blue symbolizes a greater calm and is a part of every piece she creates."Blue is definitely my favorite."
It is no secret that people initially see Julie Ann differently than that of a person without a disability. Such perception has found Julie Ann face-to-face with many struggles; she has been teased and provoked due only to the fact that she has "physical limitations." Julie Ann decided early on that she would not allow such senseless rousing to get the best of her spirit; she would fight back with kindness and forge ahead demonstrating the very change that she would hope to someday see in the world.
Art helps break down stigmas; people assume when they see a disabled person, they are cognitively impaired. I have experienced many times where people talk louder or slower. My art helps people see me as equal and as a blessing.
Though a touchy subject to some, Julie Ann opened up to Angel Boy Art about religion and what impact her Faith has had on her life. Julie Ann is disabled, yet she makes no apology for "not suffering" with her handicap; she is also quick to note that she does not believe God imposes disease or physical hindrance as punishment; nonetheless, Julie Ann admits to the fact that as a child she felt singled out and ridiculed daily; because of this, it took her a very long time to identify with God and reach a greater understanding of her life purpose.
"When I was about 5 years old I didn't believe in God. I believed in Jesus, but God was too far out there. There were times I was treated like a monster. When I was growing up, children like me had to go to 'separate but equal' schools. How could God be real? Eventually I came to believe that God allows things to happen to allow us the choice to be good or bad.
Disabled people are created to show that life is not perfect and in our imperfectness is perfectness. Getting involved with a disabled person allows an opportunity for compassion and empathy. Disabled people give others the gift of a chance to learn more compassion, peace, and love."
Julie Ann stays focused on her vision to inspire as many people as she can through her paintings; however it is "life as usual" for this wife of 14 years and Mother of 2 beautiful children. As it was stated in the beginning of this article, the meaning of art is human endeavor; hence her individual enterprise.
If you do not know what you want, you certainly won't recognize it when you finally see it; therefore, Julie Ann lives her life by the motto you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Conversely, the late Marc Chagall, a well known artist in his time, may sum Julie Ann, Louie Jr., and all of the Angel Boy Artists up best when he said, "In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love."
To learn more about Julie Ann Mills-Testi and her amazing works of art, please contact Angel Boy Art directly.
Angel Boy Arts’ feature article - Julie Ann Mills-Testi: The Mouth Painter
January 28, 2008
Written by: Jill M. Kersey
Freelance Writer Columbus, Ohio
614-783-0706
*All quotes are written in their original form and were not altered in any way.
Art: creation by human endeavor rather than by nature. This could not be truer when speaking about Julie Ann Mills-Testi, better known to many as "the mouth painter."
Julie's Artist Statement:
Painting is My Way of Dancing: A Release of My Inner Soul! Unable to use my arms/hands and limited use of my legs/feet due to a birth defect called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, I paint and write by holding a aintbrush/pencil in my teeth. Holding the paintbrush in my teeth is like a beautiful dance as the strokes of the paintbrush guide the watercolor and gouache across the canvas creating various themes in life. Each painting is exquisite and special through brilliant colors and captivating movement.Yet, there is warmth and peace in my paintings. My vision is to inspire all through my paintings and my challenges of life that all things are possible and my love for the dance of life.
Julie's Story:
44 year old Julie Ann, a Eugene, Oregon, resident reached out to Angel Boy Art shortly after seeing the Vitale family on ABC's Extreme Home Makeover. Perhaps Julie seen a bit of herself in little Louie Vitale Jr.; as she too began painting as a release at the tender age of just 3.
Regardless of the reason which surrounds Julie's generous gift of her life's ambition, Angel Boy Art is honored to have such an amazing artist and inspiration as a part of the ABA auction gallery.
Born April 30th, 1963 in Orange, California, Julie Ann's family was faced with the news of her rare disability. Julie Ann was born with Arthrogryposis, a severe birth defect within her nervous system; it is because of this that Julie has never had the use of her hands. Julie Ann's family would go on to teach her that every person is intended to have a character of their own, regardless of restrictions; Julie Ann would be what no other is, and would do what no other can do.
While Julie Ann spoke candidly to Angel Boy Art about the trials and tribulations which surround her life, she was more eager to share with Angel Boy Art the details of her personal evolution as a disabled person and what it is that art truly means to her. "I can't run, I can't dance or do ballet, so this is my way of dancing."
Julie Ann chooses to surround herself with magnificent colors that represent a variety of her inner-most emotions. Whereas warmer colors signify peace and freedom within Julie Ann, blue symbolizes a greater calm and is a part of every piece she creates."Blue is definitely my favorite."
It is no secret that people initially see Julie Ann differently than that of a person without a disability. Such perception has found Julie Ann face-to-face with many struggles; she has been teased and provoked due only to the fact that she has "physical limitations." Julie Ann decided early on that she would not allow such senseless rousing to get the best of her spirit; she would fight back with kindness and forge ahead demonstrating the very change that she would hope to someday see in the world.
Art helps break down stigmas; people assume when they see a disabled person, they are cognitively impaired. I have experienced many times where people talk louder or slower. My art helps people see me as equal and as a blessing.
Though a touchy subject to some, Julie Ann opened up to Angel Boy Art about religion and what impact her Faith has had on her life. Julie Ann is disabled, yet she makes no apology for "not suffering" with her handicap; she is also quick to note that she does not believe God imposes disease or physical hindrance as punishment; nonetheless, Julie Ann admits to the fact that as a child she felt singled out and ridiculed daily; because of this, it took her a very long time to identify with God and reach a greater understanding of her life purpose.
"When I was about 5 years old I didn't believe in God. I believed in Jesus, but God was too far out there. There were times I was treated like a monster. When I was growing up, children like me had to go to 'separate but equal' schools. How could God be real? Eventually I came to believe that God allows things to happen to allow us the choice to be good or bad.
Disabled people are created to show that life is not perfect and in our imperfectness is perfectness. Getting involved with a disabled person allows an opportunity for compassion and empathy. Disabled people give others the gift of a chance to learn more compassion, peace, and love."
Julie Ann stays focused on her vision to inspire as many people as she can through her paintings; however it is "life as usual" for this wife of 14 years and Mother of 2 beautiful children. As it was stated in the beginning of this article, the meaning of art is human endeavor; hence her individual enterprise.
If you do not know what you want, you certainly won't recognize it when you finally see it; therefore, Julie Ann lives her life by the motto you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Conversely, the late Marc Chagall, a well known artist in his time, may sum Julie Ann, Louie Jr., and all of the Angel Boy Artists up best when he said, "In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love."
To learn more about Julie Ann Mills-Testi and her amazing works of art, please contact Angel Boy Art directly.
Angel Boy Arts’ feature article - Julie Ann Mills-Testi: The Mouth Painter
January 28, 2008
Written by: Jill M. Kersey
Freelance Writer Columbus, Ohio
614-783-0706
*All quotes are written in their original form and were not altered in any way.
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