Through painting, people with autism can tap into their creativity and showcase their talents. Photos: 123rf
Karen Knight Hogan describes herself as an “amateur artist” who loves to paint.
Before she retired, Hogan was a certified ophthalmic technician for 20 years. One fateful night in July, Hogan met Laree and Tess Herrera at the 15th annual Neighbourhood Night (NN) in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the United States.
NN is a community-building event hosted by the Cheyenne Police Department that’s designed to bring neighbours, businesses and police together in partnership against crime. Hogan and Laree hit it off right off the bat.
“We sat at the same table and talked about stuff we were doing at the time. I told her (that I painted), and she told me about how Tess was crafty and how one of their relatives painted. I said that I’d be more than happy to help her,” said Hogan.
Painting offers a creative outlet for autistic individuals.
From then on, Hogan and Herrera planned to meet every two weeks or so to set up painting sessions for Tess.
“I just do it for fun,” Hogan said regarding her painting experience.
“I sell a few here and there, but I mostly like to give them away. I have given away over 1,300 little paintings in the three years I’ve been painting again. I was painting about six days a week for a long time, but since my husband got sick, I’ve painted less.”
Hogan added: “Tess is so enthusiastic about this whole thing. It’s neat to see the joy in her face and hear her laughter when she paints. She is so eager to paint and has such a wonderful smile. She just seems to delight in it.”
Hogan and Laree will start a canvas for Tess by outlining a picture of what she wants to draw, then helping her pick colours and refine the paintings. Right now, they work with paint markers, but will maybe move on to acrylics sometime soon, which is Karen’s main medium.
The Herreras don’t let Tess’s autism stop them from helping her live life to the fullest. Although Tess has some trouble with her hands and speech, they don’t let those challenges define her or their family. She is much more than that.
“She’s just like everyone else,” said Laree. “Tess is so giving, so smiley and full of joy.”
When not painting with Hogan and her mother, Tess loves to hang out with her friends, go bowling, go to her weekly cooking class and play with her guinea pig, Daisy Mae. Her favourite things to paint are boats and horses, but Karen has worked with her on painting trucks, as well.
Tess also goes to Treasured Abilities twice a week, a group in Cheyenne, that offers direct care services, activities and programs for children and adults with disabilities. There, she loves to play with their office guinea pigs, Cookie and Miss Piggy.
Hogan emphasised how the time she spends with the Herreras has been a nice addition to her weekly routine, and is a nice way to keep herself busy now that she’s retired. She also expressed how she would love to start doing this for other kids.
“Getting to know Tess and Laree, and seeing how happy it makes Tess (is the most fulfilling part of all of this),” said Hogan.
“I think (this) will give people with disabilities and children with disabilities a chance to do things that they may not have been able to do before (or thought they could do).” – Wyoming Tribune-Eagle/Tribune News Serivce
