Child Divine

I have yet to write a journal entry about the significance of this newer piece of mine. It is entitled Child Divine. This piece is 2 ft. by 4 ft. and is acrylic on board.

Several years ago, more than I can believe, I worked in Special Education as a Paraeducator. That's a fancy term for a teacher's aide. I worked at a local high school in a Life Skills classroom and there were about 18-20 kiddos in the classroom where I worked directly. The school also had another Life Skills classroom with a similar number of students.

The three years when I worked in Special Education were really difficult. It was emotional and sometimes dangerous work. But at the end of the day, I couldn't be more happy that I took the job. For close to sixteen years, I have thought daily about the students with whom I worked. I feel so much love, affection, and fondness for the sweet kids that I was blessed to help.

One student often spent time imagining "mind movies" where they would meld characters and stories from their favorite movies into new stories. I was lucky enough to be accepted into their confidence and we wrote new mind movies together.

One student could not really speak, but they had the most contagious laughter and they were my particular buddy.

One student was non-verbal except for a handful of words, but I taught them some basic sign language. This student also really loved to draw. However, their drawings were like lines on a seismograph... over and over and over. They went through a lot of recycled paper.

I got several proposals of marriage and declarations of love. I had nicknames for the students, and some had nicknames for me. To one student I was Z-ochs for no known reason.

I could continue, but suffice it to say every day was interesting and I will remember them always.

Because of this time, and time I spent as a Peer Tutor in my high school seminary class, I feel deeply interested in spreading the message that these precious souls are worth as much as any other. I hope everyone can understand the value that people with disabilities add to our world. I hope people continue to seek ways to uplift and include people with disabilities.

This painting was created because art is heavily representative of one group of people: thin, traditionally beautiful, and with no obvious disabilities. To me, the message portrayed is that this group is the most valuable and important. So, I wanted to represent someone just as important, just as beautiful, just as valuable who might be overlooked because they are different.

I hope this piece with a child with Down's Syndrome brings joy and courage to people who don't fit into antiquated "ideals", and I hope it uplifts people with disabilities and helps them know they are seen and loved just as they are.

I am thrilled to announce that this piece will be a part of the Freedom Festival in Provo this summer. Child Divine, along with many other incredible works by various artists, will be on display at The Covey Center for the Arts from the beginning of July to the beginning of September.