Florida resident A.J. Brockman devotes every ounce of his being to art. Bound to a wheelchair by spinal muscular atrophy, Brockman can only move his facial muscles and three fingers. He uses one finger to paint using software programs like Corel Paint and Adobe Photoshop. His work is lifelike and in high demand. During 2012, Brockman expected to make as much as $70,000 from his paintings.
Using the creative skills he had developed through the years by practicing and taking classes, Brockman decided that he wanted to advance his career through the visibility he would receive by painting a portrait of the Obama family. He knew that it would make headlines during the election year, and his manager said that he could personally meet President Barack Obama to present him with the portrait.
The highly realistic portrait impressed the president and made it on the front page of The New York Times. Brockman prefers to be known for his art rather than his disease. “I’ve never seen myself as ‘the guy in the chair,’” he said. “I refuse to let it define me.”
You don’t have to share Brockman’s disability to share his passion for art. Don’t put it off any longer — enroll in a class on painting to stretch your creativity and learn the techniques you’ve been longing to master. Embrace Brockman’s eagerness for the present to devote yourself to what could become your greatest passion. Painting classes will offer tutorials for all levels of artistic expertise. Lessons will cover everything from portrait painting to landscapes, depending on your interests.