For our blog post this week we have a touching story about The Cockerell’s guest artist for the month of June. As told by the artist and mother herself, Stephanie Prosser.
“As an expectant mother and artist, I was a dreamer. I dreamed of all the fun and creative things I was going to share with my child. Of how we were going to draw and paint together, and the memories and artwork we would make.
The beauty of dreams is that they are versatile, and can morph and change shape like clouds. So when my husband, who also has autism, and I, a recovering alcoholic, learned that at the age of two, that our son Sebastion had autism, my dream of us becoming artists together, well, changed dramatically. But in very unexpected ways!
His sensory disorder made touching wet items, or touching play dough, disdainful to him. And he had no desire whatsoever to draw, sketch, much less paint! Sebastion would have none of it! So I have to admit…my creativity kicked in: There were times I stooped to bribing him — just for a sketch!
For this “Adaptive Dream” Mother and Son show I really want to express that dreams can come true and adapted dreams can be fulfilling.
For my son and I to “do a show” together is a dream come true for me! In order to do this, I decided to incorporate my son’s doodles and artwork into my own art as the skeleton or elements of my paintings to produce one collaborative piece.
I am photocopying my son’s original doodle so that the audience can see the transformation of “His work” into “OUR work”. I have also included in the show pieces of my original work as well, all of which will be for sale. All profits will be donated to the Abilene Dream Center.
So many firsts went into this show. First time painting together. His first PAINTING! He even chose to pick out the colors he wanted, helped me paint, told me the subject matter, and best of all now runs to the room grabbing at blank canvases and ASKING to paint by himself.
Please come enjoy and shop at our first-ever art show at The Cockerell Galleries & Studios, as all proceeds will benefit the Abilene Dream Center.”
Be sure to stop by and see “Adaptive Dreams” the artist mother and autistic son’s first-ever Art Show. All sales benefit the Abilene Dream Center. The show opens this coming Thursday, June 11 at 5:30 with an Artist talk. If you find yourself at Artwalk, stop by the Cockerell Galleries & Studios 2nd Floor, Studio 209 to hear Stephanie Prosser speak about their show.
Carolyn Cockerell, Gallery Director 325.829.7975
The Cockerell Galleries & Studios is located in the historic Cockerell Building in the arts district in downtown Abilene. They are open for Artwalk the second Thursday of every month. The public is always welcome, and entrance is always free.
Each month the artists, those that lease studio spaces at The Cockerell, take turns as the featured artist. The featured artist is spotlighted by The Cockerell as they host them during each Artwalk. They support their artists by advertising for them in various ways, and through the support of their Gallery Director as she welcomes guests to their shows.
Guest artists are those that do not currently lease studio spaces at The Cockerell, but that want an opportunity to show either during Artwalk or for a month, by renting our Event Studio 209. Guests artists are most welcome at The Cockerell, as they encourage young artists, senior shows from students from our local colleges as universities, up-and-coming artists, and of course professional artists, as well. To qualify as a guest artist, please contact the Gallery Director, Carolyn Cockerell, for details.
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