Megan Ahlstrom
Artist Statement
It’s called, “Still Life with Cat”. I’ve done this picture in three different mediums. First as a pencil sketch, then as a photo, and now in oil pastels.
It’s called, “Still Life with Cat”. I’ve done this picture in three different mediums. First as a pencil sketch, then as a photo, and now in oil pastels.
Why do you do art?
Because it’s fun and I like doing it.
What does art mean to you?
It’s fun. It has colors. And you can show what you want instead of trying to describe.
What messages are easier to share through art than through words?
I draw pictures of the imaginary games I play with my friends, and that helps them feel more real and we keep making up more stuff about them.
I draw pictures of the imaginary games I play with my friends, and that helps them feel more real and we keep making up more stuff about them.
What do you want others to know about autism
Autism doesn’t make us weird.
Still Life with Cat - Megan Ahlstrom
Taylor Smith
Artist Statement
This piece is my own original character who was just created and he is just seeing our world for the first time.
This piece is my own original character who was just created and he is just seeing our world for the first time.
Why do you do art?
It’s fun to bring my characters to life and make stories with them.
What does art mean to you?
My escape, how I can express myself.
What messages are easier to share through art than through words?
Emotions.
What do you want others to know about autism
It is not a sickness that needs to be cured, it is what makes us unique.
A Brand New World - Taylor Smith
Emma Lewis
Artist Statement
At Your Service: This is a portrait I made of my autism service dog, Chloe. She is my best friend, constant companion, and trained helper. She has assisted me tremendously and helps me go to school everyday. I made this piece in her honor to show how much I love and appreciate her.
At Your Service: This is a portrait I made of my autism service dog, Chloe. She is my best friend, constant companion, and trained helper. She has assisted me tremendously and helps me go to school everyday. I made this piece in her honor to show how much I love and appreciate her.
Why do you do art?
I love capturing my favorite animals and wildlife through art. I enjoy spending hours creating detailed, realistic pictures. I like to capture the feelings and expressions of different animals. Through art, I can explore my interest in animals. I make art to give to others and raise money for charities. Art is important to me because it highlights the strengths of my autism: visual thinking, heightened sensory perception, and attention to detail.
What does art mean to you?
Art brings me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Art allows me to hyperfocus, reduces my anxiety, and allows me to interact with others. Art makes me feel like my autism isn't entirely bad, and that my disability can be a gift.
What messages are easier to share through art than through words?
While I may struggle to communicate verbally, I use art as a form of expression and nonverbal communication. I like to make art to express my love and appreciation for others. I use art to communicate and connect with people.
What do you want others to know about autism
I want others to know that autism makes it hard to communicate verbally. Nonverbal forms of communication are important, as they make it easier for autistic people to communicate and express themselves.
At Your Service - Emma Lewis
Julia Adams
Artist Statement
Being creative is a big part of who I am.
Why do you do art?
Because it makes me more excited, and to have a wonderful feeling.
What does art mean to you?
It helps me to express myself.
What messages are easier to share through art than through words?
I can express the feeling of human emotions in my art.
What do you want others to know about autism
That they should understand that I am different but I can share kindness and talents just like other people.
The Dragon King - Julia Adams
Braxton Richman
Artist Statement
Technology experiencing nature
Why do you do art?
Because it’s fun and calming
What does art mean to you?
Everything. Without art I’d be lost.
What messages are easier to share through art than through words?
My thoughts. It’s easier to draw or sketch on an etch a sketch than it is to talk or write
What do you want others to know about autism?
It’s hard for me to explain but I just want others to acknowledge and accept autism
Electronic Experiencing Nature - Braxton Richman
Curtis Loftus
Artist Statement
This piece took me lots of effort and time to create this masterpiece
Why do you do art?
This piece took me lots of effort and time to create this masterpiece
What does art mean to you?
Art means to me “Imagination”
What messages are easier to share through art than through words?
I think the message of “Love” is easier to share through art than through words. I love to create birthday cards for my family and friends to show them how much I love them
What do you want others to know about autism?
Autism is more like a gift from God, when He gives you a gift you use that gift wisely
Bill Cipher Burns the world - Curtis Loftus
Mila Valdes
Why do you do art?
It’s fun and makes me happy.
What does art mean to you?
I can draw whatever I want and make pretty pictures.
What messages are easier to share through art than through words?
Beauty and fashion
What do you want others to know about autism?
I wish more people could understand what I am feeling.
Turtle Snuggle Bug - Mila Valdes
Jamie Bouck
Artist Statement
Expressing
Why do you do art?
Because of the way I can express my feeling
What does art mean to you?
An expression of someone
What messages are easier to share through art than through words?
The way you feel and how you express it
What do you want others to know about autism?
Not all people with autism is dysfunctional
A Picnic - Jamie Bouck
Lindsay Gardiner
Artist Statement
My photography is used to capture special moments and show the beauty in the simple things in life.
Why do you do art?
I love being able to look back on old photos/videos of my life so I want to be able to do the same for others.
What does art mean to you?
A chance to create something people will enjoy for a long time.
What messages are easier to share through art than through words?
Even the simple things in life have beauty to them, you just need to be able to find it.
Whisper of Spring - Lindsay Gardiner
Robert Rhien
Artist Statement
I love to see the outdoors and to think of the beautiful creations that God has created. I like to hear God speak to me through the small gifts he gives to me!!.
Why do you do art?
I do art because it helps me to create memories, and to realize that even an individual can create memories !!. I love to do art because I come to understand that any person with a disability can turn a diagnosis into something wonderful!.
What does art mean to you?
Art to me is putting the puzzle piece of life into its most beautiful tapestry. Art to me means that God has given me something wonderful to work with, and to help others come to understand that Gid can take a difficult life based on autism and make a disability into a special ability.
What messages are easier to share through art than through words?
I think photography helps me to create the world seen through only someone with neurodiversity. I think that my art is something I can share with the world that I am unique and have something special to work with. God has given me the paint brush, and has given me my art to help build and to help me paint the work allowing others to see through autism eyes how I truly view the world!.
What do you want others to know about autism?
I think I would love to help others to come to know that autism is a disability that can be easily be turned into a “ special ability”. 8’”. 8-10 kids around the world are diagnosed with autism everyday. Autism is not a disability yet it is a special aboility..!!
The Beauties of Everyday Life - Robert Rhien
Josue I. Gonzalez
Why do you do art?
The struggle to reach greatness is overshadowed by the desire to be content in one's self worth.
What does art mean to you?
Expression when words fail.
What messages are easier to share through art than through words?
Beautifying Pain
What do you want others to know about autism?
Its another view the same way art is. Hard to express but can be easy to appreciate.
Man of Heaven - Josue I. Gonzalez
Aubrey Passey
Why do you do art?
Because it’s fun
What does art mean to you?
Creativity in a way I’m good at (photography)
What messages are easier to share through art than through words?
I don’t know
What do you want others to know about autism?
It’s possible to over come challenges.
Kelly Ripplinger
Why do you do art?
I do art because I find joy in doing art and it is a fun challenge and there is always something to learn.
What does art mean to you?
Art is a way for me to be creative, to calm myself and to have fun.
What messages are easier to share through art than through words?
Emotions can be easier to share in art because it can help others better understand and relate if they can visualize something.
What do you want others to know about autism?
Autism can be disabling but it can also be enabling, it isn't always a struggle, sometimes it is helpful.
Hands of Love - Kelly Ripplinger
Emilie Hatch
Artist Statement
I create because I can't not draw. It helps me get the ideas in my head out and into reality.
Why do you do art?
I have to make art, I can't help it. The characters in my head are like me, flawed and complex. When they come to life through my art, they become more like friends. It's a way for me to express myself without needing so many words.
What does art mean to you?
Art means the world, and in a way, the universe because it's everywhere. There's art in literally everything you see. You can't escape art, there's no escape to art, just people who can't see it as well as others. When I create art, it's a way of showing what I see to others who may not see it themselves.
What messages are easier to share through art than through words?
Literally everything - sadness, anger, happiness. I don't show emotion all that well personally, but it's easier to see how I'm feeling through my art, whether it's happiness, frustration, anxiety - it's all there.
What do you want others to know about autism?
I'm newly diagnosed, but I've known for a long time. It helps explain why it's hard for me to express my emotions. My autism means I can feel things a lot more deeply than others can. And you can see that in my art.
