Samantha Downing loves to create intricate scenes with her colored pencils, painstakingly outlining each image. She is one of a handful of artists with developmental disabilities who have contributed drawings for a calendar to benefit the Stamford agency Always Reaching for Independence.
I drew it with a pencil and then colored it in, Downing said of the illustration she provided for July. In addition to the pleasure of creating, the artist derives a sense of independence from drawing.
Sales of the 2011 ARI Artists' Initiative Calendar will help fund the agencys project and pay for materials such as markers, paint, paper and frames. All the illustrations were created by artists in ARIs weekly art class.
"Our big focus is to provide jobs, homes and services, but really increased independence," said Gerard Gasparino, manager of development and recreation.
The weekly class was initiated in 2002 by Stamford artist Don Axleroad.
"A lot of the artists have made a lot of progress," Axleroad said. He noted, for example, that at first some were wedded to a particular subject or style. Tommy Gallagher would draw only straight lines. Mark Combrinck-Hertz had a penchant for cats. Both have progressed considerably, said Axleroad.
"I love artwork. It's a wonderful thing," said Combrinck-Hertz, whose illustration is shown for January.
"I think they're amazing, what they can do," said Axleroad. Like any class, there's a spectrum of talent. While some artists, like Gallagher, prefer geometric designs, others, like Marie Kerr, enjoy drawing people and animals. Her work graces the calendar's cover. Her portrait of President Barack Obama was in last year's calendar, and she's now drawing singer Aretha Franklin. From memory.
"I do pictures of everybody movie stars, all kinds of stuff," said Kerr. "I never copy. It's in my head."
This is the fourth calendar the ARI artists have done. To purchase yours, at a cost of $10, contact Gasparino at (203) 324-9258, ext. 3023, or visit ARI's website.
Have you gotten your 2011 wall calendar yet? If so, do you need another one for a second room? What do you think of the ARI art class?
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