VDMFK-INFORMATIONASSOCIATION OF MOUTH AND FOOT PAINTING ARTISTSWORLDWIDE December 2015/191

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Contents

Foreword 3

Miscellaneous 4

EVENTS 5

Exhibition in Denmark 6

Workshop in Austria 8

PERSONAL 9

New Scholarship Holders 10

The significance of painting 14

We mourn for 16

We mourn for / Readers’ letters 19

VDMFK personalities 20

Artists’ activities 21

SERV I C E 23

Information from the office 24

Painting school 25

History of the VDMFK 28

PUBL I SH ING HOUSES 29

Publishers’ activities 30

Credits

Published by Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Worldwide (AMFPA)Im Rietle 25 - FL-9494 Schaan - Principality of LiechtensteinPhone +423 232 11 76 - Fax +423 232 75 41 - e-mail vdmfk@vdmfk.li - Internet: www.vdmfk.com

Edited by Mario Famlonga, Managing Director VDMFK

Printed by BVD Druck+Verlag AG, Schaan - 1000 copies, biannual

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Foreword

Dear artists,

Once again, Christmas and New Yearare just around the corner. I don’tknow about you, but I have the impres-sion that time passes much too quickly.

Now almost upon us, the New Year2016 is full of new adventures andchallenges. So let’s get ready and rollup our sleeves to meet the coming yearwith energy and enthusiasm!

I would especially like to dedicate theseopening words to two people who leftus a few months ago. The first was myfriend and long-term colleague TrevorWells. He was inducted into the Associ-ation in 1984, became a Full Memberin 1987, and was elected to the Boardof Directors in 2000. Then, in 2013, hewas appointed Vice President of theAssociation. We spent a considerablenumber of years travelling down thesame road together. We shared difficultmoments, but also times of great hap-piness along the way. I had the pleasu-re of performing a painting demonstra-tion with him on one occasion. Heparticularly liked to paint winter lands-capes with a precision that often leftpeople speechless!

The second gentleman was CristóbalMoreno Toledo, a member of the Asso-ciation for fifty years. He was an artistwith whom I shared my love of Impres-sionism. I always remember what I feltwhen I saw his works for the firsttime...

Trevor and Cristóbal were two great ar-tists deeply rooted in our Association.In wishing to express my personal grati-tude to them, the words of the Frenchwriter André Malraux come to mymind: “The unhappiness of having losthim should not make us forget thehappiness of having known him.”

Two personal remarks in regard to Im-pressionism: I like the way I can losemyself in this style of painting. Exube-rant colours burst upon the canvas; ra-diant light penetrates everything whilesometimes blurring shapes and forms

in the process; the third dimensionwhich allows viewers to see the worldin terms completely unlike the case ofclassical painting; the frequent use ofdaubs of paint to reflect colours in thewater, allowing viewers to liberatethemselves from the dictates of rigidshape; everyday life, in which a sceneof simple life can be depicted and evenModernism with its cityscapes and mo-dern constructions.

All of these things send a shiver downmy spine and were one of the reasonswhy I decided to become a painter inthe first place. Here, it is worth recallingsome of the great exponents of Impres-sionism such as Monet, Cézanne, Reno-ir, Sisley, and many others.

In the previous edition of the VDMFK-Information I told you about a specialanniversary, the sixtieth birthday of ourwonderful Association. We’re alreadythinking long and hard about the best

ways to organise the accompanying ce-lebrations. To mark the occasion, weshall again be holding a painting com-petition and hope that many of you willtake part in it. Details of the competi-tion and how to enter it will be sent toyou at a later date.

Before I now leave you to browse yourway through the latest issue of theVDMFK-Information, I wish you andyour family a happy and peaceful holi-day at this time of the year.

Kind regards,

Serge MaudetPresident of the VDMFK

VDMFK President Serge Maudet from France.

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Miscellaneous

New Associate Member

Paré, Mariam

Date of birth: 1 December 1975 Painting Method: Mouth Painter

Mariam was born on 1 December 1975.Critically injured in a shooting incident,she has been paralysed from the chestdown ever since (C5 quadriplegia).Mariam was already studying history ofart when she was shot and longed tobecome an artist. She came acrossmouth painting during her occupationaltherapy sessions. Nine years have pas-sed since then, and the artist would stilllike to continue on her road to progress.

The VDMFK has supported her in theform of scholarship grants since 2006.Mariam has also participated in a num-ber of exhibitions and workshops. Shedesigns her own cards and gives inter-

views. Her interesting designs and the-mes are realised through an extremelywide array of different techniques.Today, she leads an independent life insuburban Chicago (IL).

Artists’ activities

Etezadolsaltaneh, Zoreh(Scholarship Holder)- Zohreh held an intriguing solo exhibi-tion of her works at one of Iran’s histo-

ric sites, located around 500 km awayfrom the national capital of Teheran(17-22 October 2015). In addition, thefoot painter also gave a number ofpainting demonstrations which weregreatly admired by the visitors whocame to the show.

Artists’ activities

- A collective exhibition entitled ‘Pic-tures with hands / Inclusive brushstro-

kes’ was held at the Universidad Pa-namericana in Guadalajara (Jalisco) andfeatured works by artists from the localstate (21 September-9 October 2015).The show displayed works by the follo-wing Scholarship Holders: Moisés Ve-lasco Estela, Juana Teresa Huerta,

Ixmael Martínez Ibarra, Jorge Eduar-do Olvera Martínez, Moisés LozanoMartínez, Luís Carlos Pérez Navar-rete, Antonio Nuño Sánchez, Mariadel Carmen Nuño Sánchez, RubénZavala Rodríguez and Saúl LópezMontañéz.

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Artists’ activities

- A joint exhibition of works by Italianartists was held at the Santuario diMontenero (8 September - 11 October2015). It was opened by Padre AbateDon Giuseppe Casetta of the Vallom-brosan Order (a Benedictine congrega-tion). Organised by the ‘La Funicolare’association in cooperation with themonks of the Santuario di Monteneroand the VDMFK, the event took place atthe pilgrimage church in the Sanctuary.

For the very first time, the exhibition ofpaintings from all over Italy was stagedbetween the votive panels of theMadonna di Montenero. The exhibitionfeatured works by the following mouthand foot painting artists: MarioBarbujani (Full Member), Mario Cav.Barzon (Full Member), Luigi Calloni(Full Member), Francesco Canale(Scholarship Holder), Lorena Gua-rise (Scholarship Holder), SantinaPortelli (Full Member), Giulio Volpin(Associate Member), Roberto Zome-ro (Associate Member) as well as bythe late Tranquillo Fregoni (FullMember).

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Artists’ activities

Vassallo, Michael(Scholarship Holder)- Michael received a commission fromthe Government of Malta to paint awork measuring 1x1 m. He presentedhis painting to the Parliamentary Secre-tary at the Ministry for the Family and

Social Solidarity. This presentation tookplace in the course of a small exhibitionwhich was held at the Ministry.

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Mariam Paré shall become an Associate Member of VDMFK on 1 March 2016.

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EVENTS

Margaret Greig (Full Member/Australia), ‘Harbour Bridge’, acrylic, 50x40 cm.

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Exhibition in Denmark

An international exhibition washeld at Copenhagen City Hall from29 October to 7 November. SeveralVDMFK Board Members attendedthe opening.

Copenhagen City Hall hosted an inter-national exhibition which was held from29 October to 7 November 2015. Ondisplay were a total of 142 works byartists from all over the world. The exhi-bition, entitled ‘Oh Ballerina’, was inspi-red by the name of the eponymouswork by Danish Full Member Ms AnnLund Wahlberg ('Ballerina'). Ten mouthand foot painters took part in the ope-ning of the exhibition, at which theyalso gave painting demonstrations. The

Danish Honorary Consul in Liechten-stein, Ms Doris Jäggi-Lind, acted as pa-tron of the show. Copenhagen's Mayorof Culture and Leisure, Mr Carl Chris-tian Ebbesen, and the Danish Ministerfor Culture, Mr Bertel Hårder, took theopportunity to speak a few words onthe occasion of the opening. MinisterHårder was also presented with 'Bal-lerina', an original painting by Ann LundWahlberg.

In addition, the director of the Danishpublishing house Ms Stine Viereck, FullMember Ann Lund Wahlberg and thetwo Board Members, President SergeMaudet and Mr Thomas Kahlau, spoketo the many guests in attendance at the

opening, which included VDMFK Direc-tor Mr Mario Famlonga. President Mau-det had the honour of opening theexhibition. Swedish Scholarship HolderMs Lena Maria Klingvall provided thevocal entertainment for the event. Theexhibition attracted many visitors fromstart to finish. Various Danish artists ga-ve painting demonstrations during eachday of the exhibition. Furthermore, theexhibition was attended by 175 school-children who themselves tried to paintwith their mouth or foot after one suchdemonstration. Their pictures were sub-sequently also exhibited at the show.

VDMFK President Mr Serge Maudet had the honour ofofficially opening the exhibition.

Ms Ann Lund Wahlberg presenting her work ‘Ballerina’to Mr Bertel Hårder, the Danish Minister for Culture.

Swedish Scholarship Holder MsLena Maria Klingvall gave a vocalperformance at the opening.

Numerous guests attended the opening of the international exhibition atCopenhagen City Hall.

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Exhibition in Denmark

Ms Stine Viereck, director of the Danish publishinghouse, delivering her speech at the opening of theexhibition.

Board Member Tom Yendell gave a painting demon-stration at the opening of the exhibition.

The international exhibition was held at Copenhagen City Hall.

Board Member Thomas Kahlau giving his talk.

Participants attending the openingof the exhibition:

Board Members: Serge Maudet (Pre-sident, France), Ruth Christensen (Den-mark), Thomas Kahlau (Germany),Tom Yendell (Great Britain).Full Members: Ann Lund Wahlberg(Denmark)Scholarship Holders: Edda HeidrunBackman (Iceland), Panajiota Intzilaki(Denmark), Brandur Bjarnason Karlsson(Iceland), Lena Maria Klingvall (Swe-den) and Yvonne Vendel-Jensen (Den-mark).

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Workshop in Austria

Austrian Full Member Mr Paulus Ploier at the workshop.

Austrian Full Member Mr HeinzHalwachs during the paintingcourse.

Slovenian Full Member Mr Vojko Gašperut went to Austria to take part inthe workshop.

‘A very special workshop entitled“Painting on the Mountainside”was held in Austria from 27 to 30October 2015. Eleven mouth andfoot painting artists and artistsfrom Austria, Slovenia, Croatia andSerbia gathered for a trainingworkshop at the health resort BadSt. Leonhard im Lavantal.

This intensive workshop was opened byAustrian Ambassador to Slovenia DrClemens Koja and his wife Martina.Under the expert artistic supervision ofProf Marijana Popovic of the Universityof Arts in Belgrade, the painters recei-ved individual lessons and training inline with their current levels of artisticachievement. Prof Popovic focused onasking advanced students questionsabout fundamental issues such as“What are you trying to express withyour picture?”. She offered young ar-tists such as Ms Lea Otter (ScholarshipHolder/Austria) a solid basis for futurecreative work. In addition to practicaltraining, Prof Popovic paid special at-tention to discussing and exploringgeneral themes from the perspective of“What is art?”. The participants enjoy-ed a memorable team-building eveningon 28 October. Following the idea:“Can’t be done? Oh yes it can!”, theFirst International MFK bowling tourna-ment was held with the help of smallramps and minimum support from assi-stants. Austrian mouth painter PaulusPloier summed up his thoughts afterthe workshop: “Of course the work-shop was tiring, but so it should be. Ican take a lot of interesting ideas homewith me and above all feel inspired bythe fresh perspective on things which Ireceived over the three days. So a newdoor has opened for me: Thinking holi-stically has helped me shift my mentalhorizons. I can only hope such work-shops are repeated.”

Participants at the workshop:

Full Members: Vojko Gašperut (Slo-venia), Heinz Halwachs (Austria), Pau-lus Ploier (Austria), Benjamin Žnidaršic(Slovenia).Associate Members: Silvo Mehle (Slo-venia).Scholarship Holders: Dejana Backo(Serbia), Lea Otter (Austria), MartinaPavlovic (Slovenia), Stjepan Perkovic(Croatia), Thomas Pezeshki (Austria),Željko Vrtelj (Slovenia).

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PERSONAL

Gonçalo Borges (Associate Member/Brazil), ‘A Yellow and a Red Christmas Bell’, watercolour, 34x23 cm.

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The following mouth and footpainters shall be granted the statusof VDMFK Scholarship Holder as of 1 March 2016.

Otter, Lea

Date of birth: 28 May 2000Painting method: Mouth painterLea Otter was born prematurely andspastically paralysed in Innsbruck on 28May 2000. Severe restrictions to hermotor system were only noticed as shegrew older. She attended kindergardenat a private school belonging to theCapuchins which she continues toattend. In 2014 she completed two‘taster’ weeks at the creative workshopin Innsbruck at which she demonstratedfurther proof of her great interest inpainting. Lea enjoys working with herself-made implements, such as an easeland paint pots. Her carers and hergrandmother, whom she has lived withever since she was born, try to do allthey can to relieve her path through lifeand to support her creative work.Travel, music, painting, and horses bringa great deal of happiness to Lea’s life,which probably explains why her choiceof picturesque colours is so vibrant andbright.

Talbi, Sarah

Date of birth: 23 September 1982Painting method: Foot painterSarah Talbi was born in Brussels on 23September 1982. She was born withoutupper limbs (arms and hands), forcingher to do everything with her feet, in-cluding eating, writing and drawing.Sarah enjoyed a happy childhood. Evenso, her everyday life was marked byhealth problems and multiple surgicalprocedures on her back as well as ongo-ing pain and fatigue. Sarah is also high-ly talented when it comes to foreignlanguages. She is a licensed translator(English and Spanish) and has taken the

classic path towards a career. Thanks tothe Internet, she happened to discovercountless tutorials and tips on how todraw. In her apartment she exploredand discovered shapes, perspective andshadows. She met and struck up afriendship with Full Member FannyBourgeois from France, who encoura-ged Sarah to take her first steps in dra-wing. She has attended a drawing classfor adults at the Academy of Fine Arts inSaint-Josse (Brussels) since January2015. She enjoys painting using thepastel technique and produces et-chings. Sarah exhibited her first worksin June 2015.

Camargo de Oliveira,Leandro

Date of birth: 25 May 1980Painting method: Mouth painterLeandro Camargo de Oliveira was bornin Itapetininga (São Paulo) on 25 May1980. He lives with his parents. Hebroke his neck in a motorcycle accidentand suffered an injury of the C4 and C5vertebrae on 6 February 2002. He recei-ved the full support of his family rightfrom the very start. Shortly after hisaccident he had trouble accepting thefact that he would be forced to sit in awheelchair for the rest of his life. Whenhe heard about the AACD (Associationfor the Support of Children withDisabilities), he realised that he was notthe only one with such a disability. Hebegan to live again and left the AACDafter 3 months. Leandro started to paintat the urging of one of his sister’sfriends. She offered him some booksand cassettes with painting lessons. In2013 Leandro appeared on a TV pro-gramme where he met art teacher RicoRibeiro. After seeing his efforts at pain-ting, the teacher decided to giveLeandro a course of free Internet les-sons. The artist became aware of theAssociation through various social me-dia channels. Last year he decided tomake his dream come true to carry outand put all his effort into mouth pain-ting.

Correa da Silva, Barbara

Date of birth: 8 June 1997Painting method: Mouth painterBarbara Correa da Silva was born witharthrogryposis multiplex congenita(congenital joint contractures) in Rio deJaneiro on 8 June 1997. She alreadyunderwent her first operation at theage of four months, followed by sixfurther operations in successive years.She has been unable to move her arms,hands and legs up until today. Barbarawent to a Brazilian charity associationfor rehabilitation following courses ofphysiotherapy and occupational therapyuntil she was nine years old. Barbaracomes from a very poor family. Her mot-her takes care of her and her father, athome due to his inability to work.Diagnosed with cancer, he has not beenable to recover from the delicate opera-tion, contrary to expectations. Barbarais a cheerful and resourceful youngwoman. She attends a normal school.She began painting when she was tenyears old and is very enthusiastic abouttaking painting lessons. Barbara recent-ly had the opportunity to visit an exhibi-tion of mouth and foot painting artistsat which she came into contact with thepainters. She began painting with acry-lics but now prefers to paint with oils.

Da Silva Alcantara, Márcio

Date of birth: 12 August 1971Painting method: Mouth painterMárcio da Silva Alcantara was born inCampinha Grande (Paraíba), Brazil on12 August 1971. At the age of eight heset off with his parents to Rio deJaneiro, where they tried to escape thepoverty of their city. He started workingvery early on to support his parents inscratching together the barest of liveli-hoods. Márcio joined the army when heturned eighteen years old but left it atthe age of twenty to pursue a newcareer. He was involved in a motorcycleaccident on 19 July 1993 when he triedto flee the scene of a robbery. The colli-sion with a car broke his C5 and C6 ver-tebrae, leaving him quadriplegic. Overthe past twenty years he has had tolearn to see life through different eyes.

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He had to learn to do everythingwithout his legs, arms and hands. Hismother gave him support at this time.He became aware of the Associationthrough his friend Jefferson MaiaFigueira (a VDMFK Scholarship Holder),who also encouraged him to start pain-ting with his mouth. Curious to learnand paint by himself, Márcio boughtsome materials via the Internet andbegan painting in 2013. Since then hehas surprised himself and others withhis talent. He is eager to learn andwould like to improve his painting skills.He says painting has truly mitigated thedifficulties of being a quadriplegic – thepain, prejudices and tough day-to-daystruggle to survive.

Silva, Lucas Luciano

Date of birth: 22 December 2001Painting method: Foot painterLucas Luciano Silva was born with ar-throgryposis multiplex congenita (AMC,congenital multiple joint contractures)in the city of Lago da Pedra (Maranhão)on 22 December 2001. Lucas cannotmove his arms and hands and – to a cer-tain extent – his legs, either. He canwalk, though only with great difficulty.His skills became evident for the firsttime when he was three years old andused writing implements with his footto scribble something down. Lucaspaints with his left foot as well as hismouth. He uses white for the primer,then applies a few drops of paintstraight on to the canvas where hemixes them until he has achieved thecolour he desires. His father has set upa small area as a workshop in the fami-ly apartment for him in order to supporthis growing passion for art. Lucas hasnot had any formal painting lessonsuntil now but hopes that he will havethe opportunity to have these at somestage. He loves painting and sometimesmanages to organise small exhibitionsin his town. He uses this opportunity totalk with people interested in his lifeand his paintings. He found out aboutthe Association during a hospital staywhen he met Scholarship Holder MariaGoret Chagas.

Chaves Bolaños,Jairo Fernando

Date of birth: 10 August 1976Painting method: Mouth painterJairo Fernando Chaves Bolaños wasborn in Ancuya in the Andes of north-west Colombia on 10 August 1976. Hespent most his life in this municipalityand also completed both his primaryschool education and later his seconda-ry studies there. Jairo suffered electricalburns to his upper limbs in September2006 while doing his job. His right andleft forearm were amputated as a resultof the injury and related complications.In 2007 he travelled to Bogotá wherehe visited the national office of theAssociation of Mouth and Foot Painters.This meeting enabled him to look on hisdisability and the way he was leadinghis life in an entirely different way. Backin his village, he started mouth paintingwith the support of his family. Thanks toart, his life received a brand new ‘daubof colour’ and he is convinced that no-one should ever feel defeated by anysituation in life.

Sedlácková, Barbora

Date of birth: 24 April 2002Painting method: Mouth painterBarbora Sedlácková was born in CeskéBudejovice on 24 April 2002. She livesthere with her parents and her three sib-lings. At the age of three-and-a-half shewas diagnosed with ‘Dejérinne-Sottas’disease, a motor and sensory neuropathywhich affects all four limbs. She has beenconfined to a wheelchair ever since shewas six and is dependent on assistancefrom other persons. Barbora embarkedon her first attempts to paint and writewith her mouth at this time. She is nowjust as fast as other, healthy children. Herfavourite subjects are folk traditions, ani-mals and nature. She has already takenpart in painting competitions and heldsolo exhibitions on numerous occasions.

Aman, Selma

Date of birth: 21 June 1978Painting method: Mouth painterSelma Aman was born in Berlin on 21June 1978 and due to a lack of oxygenhas been disabled since birth. This cau-sed her to suffer spastic contractures(tetra spasticity) of the upper and lowerextremities. As a result, she cannot useher hands. After completing secondaryschool, Selma obtained the GermanChamber of Industry and Commercecertificate as an office administrator.She took evening courses to gain hergeneral certificate of secondary educa-tion and advanced technical collegequalifications. Selma is studying law atthe Berlin School of Economics and Lawuntil 2016. She sits in a wheelchair andcan briefly get up and move, thoughnot on a permanent basis. Conse-quently, she paints as she sits on a com-pletely ordinary chair at a table.

Moreno Chavez, Johan Erik

Date of birth: 24 June 1983Painting method: Mouth painterJohan Erik Moreno Chavez was born inCoyotepec on 24 June 1983. He gradu-ated from high school before starting towork for some companies. Johan had asteady job, was married and father to adaughter by the age of 27. He broke hisC4, C5 and C6 vertebrae while divinginto a swimming pool on 1 January2011, leaving him quadriplegic. Lessthan a year later, he found himself wat-ching an Internet video on which hesaw a young mouth painter talkingabout his life. When Johan came home,he started drawing with his mouth –and became thrilled by what he sawand what he was able to achieve. Draw-ing relaxes him and keeps his mind oc-cupied. He began buying oil paints andbrushes, and started mixing paints on a

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piece of cardboard. All the time herelied solely on Internet videos. A mem-ber of staff at the publishing house inColombia arranged for him to contactthe VDMFK Scholarship Holder JuanGonzález Cervantes. Johan embarkedon painting lessons with him. Workingvery closely together, Juan taught himthe technique of oil painting.

Grøtterud Skotland, Brit

Date of birth: 19 March 1952Painting method: Mouth painterBrit Grøtterud Skotland was born inKongsberg, Norway on 19 March 1952.She grew up with five brothers andsisters on a farm in Hvittingfoss, Nor-way. She is married and has two chil-dren. After high school she enrolled atcraft school where she learned how toweave tapestries. Brit was an activeteam handball player until her 25thbirthday. She trained to be a social edu-cation worker and has worked withpeople with disabilities for over 35years. She broke her neck when she fellfrom a cliff in 2011. She has been para-lysed ever since her fall and spent over ayear in hospital. Brit is unable to moveher arms and legs as a result of her acci-dent. At Sunnaas Hospital she met anart teacher who encouraged her tobegin painting. While staying at thehospital she was visited by Eirin Heier,who works for the publishing house inNorway. Eirin motivated her to startpainting by mouth. Brit started on herfirst picture a year after she had retur-ned home. She found it very liberatingand stimulating as well as a good exer-cise for her neck. Two years onwards,she has now produced fifteen paintings.In addition, she also paints silk scarveson two to three days a week and verymuch enjoys this aspect of her life.

Ramos Mori, Sara Raquel

Date of birth: 24 October 2004Painting method: Mouth painterSara Raquel Ramos Mori was born witharthrogryposis multiplex congenita inSan Juan de Miraflores (Lima) on 24October 2004. She spent the first fouryears of her life between operationsand physiotherapy at the San Juan deDios hospital in Villa el Salvador. Hermother and grandmother were alwaysthere for her. In July 2008 the familymoved to the district of Pucusana whereSara attended nursery school. There shemet Irma, a teacher who taught her towrite with her mouth. At the age of six,Sara entered the reception class at the‘Carlos Manuel Cox’ elementary school.When she was eight years old shemoved back to Villa el Salvador with herfamily and continued her education atthe ‘Apostol Santiago’ school, whichwas where she learned to draw. Saralikes to talk and play with her classma-tes, but also studies hard in order to getgood grades. In addition, she loves todraw and paint.

Protsenko, Yelena

Date of birth: 1 May 1986Painting method: Foot painterYelena Protsenko was born in the townof Khromtau, Kazakhstan, on 1 May1986. She has suffered from infantileparalysis and spastic tetraparesis sincebirth. Despite the doctors’ poor progno-sis, Yelena Protsenko has – thanks tothe care and love of her parents – lear-ned how to keep her head still, to sitand talk and also to walk at the age ofeighteen. Although she still has no con-trol over her arms this does not preventher from leading a fairly normal life. Sheperforms all her activities, includingpainting, with her feet. Initially, shepainted clumsy little flowers, housesand princesses. It wasn’t until she hadbecome a teenager that her father

asked a teacher to help him take care ofYelena after the death of her mother. Asa result, she started reading teach-your-self books and studied for a few monthsat the high school of art in Aktobe.Yelena paints using different techniquessuch as watercolour ink pens, waterco-lours, oils, tempera and acrylics. Shelives with her husband in their privateapartment in Titan, where she takescare of the household and her pets. Inaddition she does various social workand holds master classes for children.She has achieved top places in art com-petitions on a number of occasions.

Pavlovic, Jelena

Date of birth: 26 February 2004Painting method: Foot painterJelena Pavlovic was born without armson 26 February 2004. She lives with herparents and brothers and sisters inOstra. Jelena is a very bright and cheer-ful girl who would like to be an artist.She paints with her feet and carries outeveryday chores in the same way.Despite her disability she attends schoolclasses like everybody else.

Lim, Kyung Sik

Date of birth: 20 June 1977Painting method: Mouth painterKyung Sik Lim was born in Bucheon on20 June 1977. He completed primaryand secondary school as well as voca-tional school. He was seriously injured ina motorcycle accident at the age ofnineteen in 1995 and suffered a com-plete C4 quadriplegia. Kyung has nolonger been able to use his upper andlower limbs since then. While spendingtwo years in the rehabilitation centre,he found out about the Association ofMouth and Foot Painting Artists whenhe met Full Member Jeong Park. From2007 he had to live in a facility for peo-ple with disabilities, where he beganpainting a little with his mouth. He

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taught himself to paint by watching vi-deo clips on YouTube which showedhim how to draw pictures by using hismouth. In 2011 Kyung attended a onceweekly painting class which was held bya well-known college of visual arts. Hebecame more and more interested inmouth painting and gradually improvedhis painting skills. He particularly likes tocreate landscape pictures with oilpaints. Kyung Sik Lim has alreadydisplayed his works at a number of soloand collective exhibitions.

Hamilton, Moses Kai

Date of birth: 6 January 1976Painting method: Mouth painterMoses Kai Hamilton was born at therural North Shore of the Garden Islandof Kauai on 6 January 1976. Mo, as hisfriends call him, spent the first years ofhis childhood without a care in theworld. Art played a large role in his life.He had already begun sketching at avery early age and continued to do sountil the fateful day of 18 October 2002when he suffered a severe spinal cordinjury in a car accident. This left him apermanent quadriplegic. First, he waseven unable to breathe unaided, so herequired a respirator. He was introducedto mouth painting at this time. This revi-ved his passion for art. Moses has saidthat his first attempts to paint were fru-strating since whatever he created lak-ked shape and definition. But with eff-ort, he developed a highly personal stylewith round, expressive figures whichrepresent the journey of Hawaiian peo-ple as they live, love and practise theirway of life. He can paint with his mouthbecause he still has minimal control overmovement below his neck. He dependson his family who help him prepare hispaints, move his brush and adjust thecanvases as well as the light screens.Moses enjoys life to the fullest with hisfamily and his friends on Kauai's northshore. You can find his art in shops andgalleries on the island of Kauai.

Soby, Peter

Date of birth: 22 December 1967Painting method: Mouth painterPeter Soby was born in Chicago, Illinois,on 22 December 1967. He loved pain-ting lots of things starting right fromchildhood. Art was always part of hislife. In August 1987, between his firstand second year at college, he dived intoa much too shallow lake. His spinal cordwas severed between the fifth and sixthvertebrae. Yet he still pursued his artisticinterests in the wake of the accident. Hehelped develop business attire for disa-bled people and continued to performas a DJ. Although he was no longer ableto play keyboards, piano or guitar, hetaught himself to play the harmonica.Peter uses a neck holder to keep the har-monica in place. During this time he pro-duced and directed eight feature films,over twenty short films, about thirtymusic videos, some twenty plays andseveral commercials and Internet videos.Peter found out about the VDMFK in thecourse of a Skype conversation with hisfriend Miriam Pare (VDMFK ScholarshipHolder), who mentioned the Associa-tion. She encouraged him to paintagain. It took quite some time until helearned to control the brush and expresshis ideas on the canvas.

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The significance of painting as seenby mouth and foot painterKrzysztof Kosowski, Full Memberfrom Poland.

The significance of painting

Iwas asked to write some wordsabout the significance of painting.

Well, as always in such situations, you’-re a little taken aback at first by thequestion and the topic you’ve beenasked to think about… and then, ofcourse, you firmly believe you alreadyknow everything about your own pain-ting and its significance both for your-self and your target group – but is thatalways really the case?

My work as a painter is a little way-ward and begs to differ with

some of the facts on the ground. I tryto depict the world not in a realisticway – meaning not as it is – by pain-ting still lifes, landscapes, portraits orflower arrangements. Instead, myintention is to present the world morefrom the vantage point of a child, fullof passion, curiosity and joy at discove-ring new secrets. Naturally, typicalmoments of contemplation and broo-ding and twinges of sadness also appe-ar in my paintings. They merely pointto the later stages of our lives, to timeticking by and to the transience of our

existence; frequently, they’re symboli-sed by damaged and broken vessels orcups, or things of that sort. When I paint I wish to introduce a

certain narrative thread and feedit with metaphors, symbols of life’smagic and motives from fairy tales,legends and dreams – and sometimes Ican’t resist adding a touch of irony orsatire. Even so, I always try to create anoptimistic, confident atmosphere cap-tured in warm autumnal colours.

So the meanings and patterns I try toweave into my paintings are things

that all of us know and are familiarwith. They include motifs such as foun-tains, wells, labyrinths, towers, scare-crows, old and living trees, secretdoors and keys to treasures andsecrets.

In other words it isn’t so easy for meto write about the significance of

painting. After all, I find myself con-stantly discovering new secrets of pain-

The significance of painting

Krzysztof Kosowski (Full Member/Poland), ‘Before leaving’, oils, 81x81 cm.

Krzysztof Kosowski, Full Member from Poland.

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ting each day. I start to understand thesignificance they have for the differentstages in my life. In fact, I feel morelike a researcher and explorer forced toresort to poorly positioned signpostsand blotchy maps in his attempt todiscover and find meaning in eachtube of paint, on each palette, and toregard each white canvas stretchedonto a frame as one begging to be fil-led with a highly distinctive artisticvision. On this scenic journey I wouldrather compare myself to a snail strug-gling to find its destination, trying notto lose all its bearings and endeavou-ring to decipher the words leaping outfrom a signpost bearing the legend:“The significance of painting” – 3 kmbehind the wood on the left.

And now, if it’s OK with you, I’ll reti-re back into my shell for a nice hot

cup of tea or coffee and continue tomull over painting and its significance– if it indeed has any at all?!

Sure, at this point I could take apiece of paper and jot down some

phrases about the process of creatingart and how it has a positive impact onus as people, on our lives and on ourbank accounts. Or write somethingabout art’s therapeutic effect on ourstruggle to regain our motor skills orabout the feeling of being givencolourful wings that help us escapefrom our humdrum daily lives – for abrief moment at least. But I think thatthe whole point and significance of ourworks and my paintings is only reallyexpressed in the eyes and smiles of theviewers of our works and paintings; in

the many friendly and sometimes criti-cal comments, opinions, and remarks.And I believe that painting (meaning:my paintings and the works of myesteemed colleagues) would serve littlepurpose and have no meaning withoutpeople who like our art and sometimeseven ourselves. For it would only be akind of art for art’s sake, like coffeethat has no scintillating smell or fla-vour, or like a colourless flower.

So when I see the joy and happinesson the faces of people who look at

my work, I feel the true purpose andsignificance of my paintings. The mea-ning that emerges from the interactionbetween the artist and the viewer –who ultimately is the “recipient” of ourdreams and desires as captured on thepainted canvas. It’s during such

moments I feel I’ve actually met Puss inBoots or seen into the eyes of Alice inWonderland – even though I’m reallystanding on the other side of the mir-ror.

Krzysztof Kosowski Full Member/Poland

The significance of painting

Krzysztof Kosowski

Date of birth: 5 August 1963 Place of birth: Jabłonowo Pomorskie Full Member of the VDMFK since 2015 Mouth and foot painter

Krzysztof suffered severe burns due toan electrical accident which occurred in1972. As a result, both his arms had tobe amputated. As of 1978 he attendedhigh school in Wrocław before he

began studying art history for two yearsat Wrocław University. Shortly after hisaccident, he started painting, a bit atleast, with his mouth. From 1985onwards he increasingly focused hisattention on mouth and foot painting –and taught himself how to do both.Krzysztof became a Scholarship Holderof the Association in 1988 and wasawarded Associate Membership statusin 2010. He has been a Full Member ofthe VDMFK since 2015. In addition to

painting, Krzysztof follows a wide rangeof interests including music, orientalismand world religions.

Krzysztof mainly paints in oils, mixedmedia, watercolours and ink. His favou-rite subjects are fantasy motifs as wellas subjects and themes taken from fairytales. He has frequently presented hisworks at solo and collective exhibitionsheld in Poland throughout his artisticcareer.

Krzysztof Kosowski (Full Member/Poland), ‘First snow’, oils, 60x60 cm.

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Wells, Trevor C.

Date of birth: 1 November 1956 Passed away on: 13 September 2015 Painting method: Mouth painter VDMFK Board Member since 2000

After leaving school, Trevor C. Wellsembarked on an apprenticeship tobecome a joiner and started playing forthe Uxbridge Rugby Club. He comple-ted his apprenticeship in 1976. Twoyears later, while playing rugby, hebroke his neck in an accident and remai-ned paralysed from the neck down. Hesubsequently spent seven months inhospital before being referred to a unitfor young disabled people where hewas encouraged to paint as part of hisoccupational therapy in 1984. He wasawarded a scholarship from the Asso-ciation in the same year before beco-ming a Full Member in 1987. This ope-ned up a completely new career for himas a mouth painter. In 1990 Trevor wasdischarged from the home for disabledpeople and moved to Chesham inBuckinghamshire. In 2000 he attendeda VDMFK Delegates’ Convention inSydney at which he was accorded the

honour of being voted onto the Boardof the Association. He had held the offi-ce of Vice President of the Associationsince 2013. Trevor’s preferred motifs were landsca-pes. In general, he most preferred to

capture these using acrylics. What lenthis pictures such special charm was theprecision with which he observed natu-re. Frequently he would base his pain-tings on photographs. Above all, hiswinter landscapes – a favourite motif –are characterised by his mastery ofcolouristic effects. Trevor was able topresent his many works at solo and jointexhibitions throughout the world.

We mourn for

Board Member Trevor C. Wells passed away on 13 September 2015. Hehad been a Board Member of the Association since the year 2000.

Trevor C. Wells, ‘Sunshine in Winter’, oils, 50x60 cm.

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Moreno-Toledo, Cristóbal

Date of birth: 21 June 1941Passed away on: 1 August 2015 Painting method: Mouth painter

Cristóbal Moreno Toledo was born withmuscular dystrophy. He began learninghow to paint and write with his mouthat elementary school. He threw hisheart and soul into this and taught him-self to get even better at painting byteaching himself. Later on, Cristóbaltook part in distance learning coursesheld by the Instituto Parramón inBarcelona. His style of painting wasstrongly influenced by Impressionism; itfeatured extended brush strokes, all ofthem open and lavish, with plenty ofpaint and warm colours in shapessometimes bordering on the expressio-nistic. He instinctively selected his the-mes from a range of landscapes, por-traits to depictions of the female nude.The techniques he most liked to usewere drawing, oil painting, engravingand watercolours. Parallel to his art,Cristóbal also worked in and with litera-ture, writing a number of poetry books,novels and short stories. Cristóbal alsocreated engravings and ceramics along-side making videos and iron sculptures.

He received a VDMFK scholarship in1963 and was granted Full Member sta-tus by the VDMFK barely two yearslater. This status offered him the oppor-tunity to present his work to a broaderpublic at numerous VDMFK exhibitionsand solo exhibitions. Furthermore, Cris-

tóbal gladly passed on his knowledgeand skills to others. He held several dra-wing and painting courses for mouthand foot painting artists. Cristóbal Mo-reno-Toledo passed away on 1 August2015.

Hodkinson, Jim

Date of birth: 7 September 1949 Passed away on: 1 October 2015 Painting method: Mouth painter

Jim’s family emigrated from the UK toAustralia when he was only ten yearsold. He remained in Australia throughouthis lifetime. His arms and legs were leftparalysed following a swimming acci-dent in 1973. He was hospitalised fortwo years as a result of his quadriplegia.Afterwards, Jim lived in a home for peo-ple with spinal injuries. This marked anew beginning in his life. He often atten-ded painting and drawing classes during

his rehabilitation phase and developed agreat liking for drawing with a pen in hismouth. He continually strove to improvehis artistic talent. Among a number ofother things, he spent three years at acollege where he learned the art of dra-wing nudes and oil painting. He receiveda VDMFK scholarship in 1991. Nine yearslater, he became an Associate Memberof the VDMFK, meaning he was able toexhibit his work to a broader public, dra-wing the attention of the media. In addi-tion to participating in numerous exhibi-tions, Jim also appeared on local radioand was frequently the subject of articlesand reports in the local media. JimHodkinson passed away on 1 October2015.

We mourn for

Full Member Cristóbal Moreno-Toledo passed away on 1 August 2015.

Jim Hodkinson, Associate Memberof the VDMFK, passed away on1 October 2015.

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We mourn for

Deceased Scholarship Holders

Sánchez, María Angelina

Date of birth: 18 September 1958 Passed away on: 19 October 2015 Painting method: Mouth painter María Angelina Sánchez was born inChaco on 18 September 1958. She suf-fered from a form of poliomyelitis whichleft her paralysed in both arms and legs.María attended primary school andwent to high school. María first triedpainting with her mouth as a teenagerand began to receive a scholarship fromthe VDMFK as of 1995. Over a numberof years she attended art classes held bythe renowned painting master HéctorFridman among others. María took partin many exhibitions, as a result of whichmany of her activities received regularcoverage in the media. María AngelinaSánchez passed away on 19 October2015.

Londoño Muñoz,Oswaldo de Jesús

Date of birth: 12 September 1967 Passed away on: 21 July 2015 Painting method: Mouth painter Oswaldo de Jesús Londoño Muñoz wasborn on 12 September 1967. He beca-me quadriplegic as a result of a gunshotwound which he suffered on 16 March2001. Confined to a wheelchair, he hadnext to no movement of his upper limbswhile his lower limbs were powerlessand immobile. He became a VDMFKScholarship Holder in 2009. Oswaldo deJesús Londoño Muñoz passed away on21 July 2015.

Harvey, John Anson

Date of birth: 5 June 1969 Passed away on: 6 July 2015Painting method: Mouth painter John was born in Wokingham on 5 June1969. He joined the Royal Engineers atthe age of 16 and served eight years inthe corps. In September 1992, a seriousaccident left him paralysed from theneck down; he was no longer able touse his upper or lower limbs from thattime on. A good friend suggested tohim that he take up painting with hismouth, which he started to do in 1993.His pictures took a long time to impro-ve at first but John, unfazed by this, cre-ated works which gradually got betterand better with each canvas. He beca-me a VDMFK Scholarship Holder on 1March 2015. John mostly drew andpainted portraits of muses or figures –some of which were deeply imaginative.He also liked to paint fantasy figuressuch as dragons, phoenixes andPegasus. John Anson Harvey passedaway on 6 July 2015.

Czibolya, Erzsébet

Date of birth: 3 October 1954 Passed away on: 23 September 2015 Painting method: Mouth painter Erzsébet Czibolya was born in Hat-van/Hungary on 3 October 1954. Shecontracted polio in 1959. Subsequently,all her limbs were completely paralysed.She began to become interested inmouth painting in 1996 and taught her-self to paint in a series of self-studycourses. Erzsébet became a VDMFKScholarship Holder in 1999. ErzsébetCzibolya passed away on 23 September2015.

Torma, Gyula

Date of birth: 17 October 1962 Passed away on: 20 September 2015 Painting method: Mouth painter

Gyula Torma was born in Győr/Hungaryon 17 October 1962. He was diagnosedwith muscular atrophy in 1992 whichleft him in a situation where he was stillable to walk a few steps but could nolonger use his hands to perform every-day tasks. He first tried painting with hismouth in the autumn of 1998 and soonfound that he very much enjoyed theexperience of creating pictures, so hestarted taking painting lessons on hisown initiative. Gyula became a VDMFKScholarship Holder in 2002. He held anumber of solo exhibitions during hislifetime. Gyula Torma passed away on20 September 2015.

Neminath H. Phalke

Date of birth: 2 July 1964 Passed away on: 18 September 2015 Painting method: Mouth painter Neminath H. Phalke was born inVarkhadi/India on 2 July 1964. He wasleft completely paralysed in all fourlimbs. Neminath taught himself how topaint with his mouth in 1988. He wasfirst awarded a VDMFK scholarship in1992. His paintings featured depictionsof landscapes, flowers and animals fromhis native country and his work wasexhibited on several occasions. Nemi-nath was always highly interested insports, music, and literature. NeminathH. Phalke passed away on 18 Septem-ber 2015.

Filippini, Mara

Date of birth: 25 October 1974 Passed away on: 7 June 2015 Painting method: Mouth painter Mara Filippini was born with spinal atro-phy on 25 October 1974. Consequently,she was unable to use her arms andlegs. She was a certified accountant anduniversity graduate of educationalsciences. Early on, as a young teenager,she discovered her interest in mouth

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painting and steadily improved her arti-stic skills from that time onwards. As aresult, the VDMFK started awarding hera scholarship in 2010. Mara’s artistictalent is clearly evident in her paintings.Mara Filippini passed away on 7 June2015.

Trasviña Mata,Jesús Enrique

Date of birth: 15 July 1987 Passed away on: 21 September 2015 Painting method: Mouth painter Jesús Enrique Trasviña Mata was born inthe City of Los Mochis (Sinaloa) on 15July 1987. He attended primary andsecondary school and started to work atthe age of 16. On 21 July 2006, he fellfrom a height of fifteen feet because apiece of iron had detached itself fromthe piece of scaffolding he was workingon. He broke his neck in the accident,leaving him quadriplegic. His spinal cordwas almost completely severed at thelevel of the 4th and 5th cervical verte-brae, leaving him paralysed from theshoulders down. In the course of an 18-month stay at a rehabilitation centre hemanaged to recover a little from hisordeal and learned how to sit in awheelchair. Sadly, his emotional andpsychological state of mind did notimprove. He refused to come out of hisroom for a period of two and a halfyears. Mouth painter Ms Lidia ChaidezLópez, a VDMFK Scholarship Holder,heard about the fate of the young manand invited him to “come along” to artclasses. Jesús started off by holding apencil in his mouth to create drawings.He eventually became a VDMFKScholarship Holder in 2011. Graduallyhe began to enjoy mouth painting andregularly attended painting classesgiven by Lidia Chaidez López at thevocational school of art. Jesús EnriqueTrasviña Mata passed away on 21September 2015.

Mynarek, Damian

Date of birth: 23 November 1990 Passed away on: 5 June 2015 Painting method: Mouth painter Damian Mynarek was born in Pysko-wice/Poland on 23 November 1990.Confined to a wheelchair due to paraly-sis in all four of his limbs, his inability tobreathe normally meant that he con-stantly had to depend on a respirator.He managed to attend elementaryschool up to sixth grade, after which hewas dependent on private tutors.Damian began to enjoy painting anddrawing with his mouth in 1998. Hebecame a VDMFK Scholarship Holder in2003. Damian Mynarek passed away on5 June 2015.

Bernal Benítez,María del Carmen

Date of birth: 22 August 1964 Passed away on: 12 July 2015 Painting method: Mouth painter María del Carmen Bernal Benítez wasborn in Cádiz/Spain on 22 August1964. She attended elementary school.On 27 July 1988, Maria was involved inan accident which left her quadriplegicfrom that time onwards. She began topaint with her mouth in 1988 and even-tually taught herself to paint. She beca-me a VDMFK Scholarship Holder in1993. Maria participated in a numberof exhibitions during her lifetime. Maríadel Carmen Bernal Benítez passed awayon 12 July 2015.

Readers’ letters

For youThe phone rang and a friend of minetold me you’d gone – forever. I wasstunned. I couldn’t think of a word tosay when I took the call. I couldn’tfind the words. I never thought you’dshuttle off this “mortal coil” and leaveus so early to fly off up there into thesky. Well, you're an artist with thewings of an angel. You now paint thelandscapes of paradise with thecolours of the rainbow. And althoughI’m a poet, I still can’t find, at least notat this moment, the right words toexpress to you my pain – not justmine, but the pain of all the painterswho came to know and like you. Youleft an indelible memory in our heartswhich time cannot erase. Adieu,Tranquillo, our dear friend: we all wishyou a safe journey to this new worldof yours, where suffering and deathcan no longer reach you. DearTranquillo, your passing away hit ushardest with a sound only the heartcan hear.

Luigi Calloni (Full Member/Italy) recal-ling Full Member Tranquillo Fregoni

who passed away on 10 February 2015.

One of the hardest things to findFor many artists, achieving fame is thegreat goal of their lives; for many poli-ticians, it is grabbing and clinging onto power; for the lascivious, it is get-ting their rocks off on sexual pleasure.These are the forces which move theworld. But in terms of the bigger pic-ture – and without wishing to undere-stimate the beguiling attraction offame, power, wealth or pleasure – thegreatest accomplishment in life is tobe happy by bringing happiness toothers. Even more importantly, liferequires us to have a heart full of loveand selflessness – even though this isone of the hardest things to find.

Italo Violo Villalobos Scholarship Holder from Venezuela

We mourn for/Readers’ letters

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VDMFK personalities

In this section we are honoured tointroduce you to mouth and footpainters who rendered outstandingservices to the VDMFK in the cour-se of its nearly 60-year-old history.This time around we present BoardMember Bruce G. Peardon fromAustralia.

Board Member Bruce G. Peardon pas-sed away on 13 May 2001. He was elec-ted to the Managing Board of the As-sociation at the Delegates’ Conventionwhich was held in Rome on 1 April1992. Bruce was born on 28 February1945. After attending school he trainedas a radio technician and subsequentlycompleted his military service in theRoyal Australian Navy. In 1962 heseriously injured his cervical vertebrae ina car accident, as a result of which hisarms and legs remained paralysed. Hemet and struck up a friendship withmouth painters Mr Bill Mooney andJames K. Meath during his long stay inhospital. Bruce learned how to writeand paint with his mouth from thesetwo artists, who told him about the

Association which first granted himScholarship Holder status in July 1965.Consequently, as a recognised artist, hebecame a Full Member of the VDMFKon 1 March 1972. In addition to cheer-ful depictions of wildlife and children,Bruce very much enjoyed painting sub-jects taken from his Australian home-land and from the mythology of hiscountry. He presented his works at exhi-bitions all over the world. Moreover,Bruce wrote three highly successful illu-strated books for children: ‘Charlie theChimney Sweep and Sooty', ‘Teddy’sNight Lost in the Bush’ and ‘Old Billy'sEnchanted Valley’. The books, whichappeared in five languages, becamebestsellers.

Bruce G. Peardon from Australiaserved as a Board Member of theVDMFK from 1992 until his deathin 2001.

Bruce G. Peardon (Full Mem-ber/Australia), ‘Oliver & Treehouse’,watercolour, 40x30 cm.

Bruce G. Peardon (Full Member/Australia), ‘Tiger’; technique and size ofthe painting unknown.

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Artists’ activities

Barcia, César Andrés(Scholarship Holder)- César Andrés Barcia presented hisworks and gave painting demonstra-tions at the Open Arts event which washeld in a shopping mall in Buenos Aires(26-28 June 2015). In addition, he wasinvited to hold workshops for highschool students in Tortuguitas (GreaterBuenos Aires).

Moya, Maria Celeste(Scholarship Holder) - María Celeste Moya held a solo exhi-bition at the Biblioteca Popular Sarmien-to in San Fernando del Valle de Cata-marca (Catamarca; 4-6 June 2015)which drew in some one hundred visi-tors a day. Local city councillor, Mr Car-los Sánchez, was the guest of honour.

Paz, Rosa Mirta(Scholarship Holder) - Rosa Mirta Paz exhibited her works inthe town of Tres Isletas (Chaco). Thisgave her the opportunity to perform anumber of delightful painting demon-strations which amazed local children(2-3 July 2015).

- Mr Eduardo Moreira de Melo(Scholarship Holder) was awarded asilver medal at the 450 Encantos Mil(“450 years of a Thousand Enchant-ments”) exhibition staged by the Socie-dade Brasileira de Belas Artes (SBBA;Brazilian Society of Fine Arts; 9 April2015). Bronze medal holders were MrJefferson Maia Figueira (ScholarshipHolder), Mr Carlos Eduardo RosaFraga (Scholarship Holder) and MsEusuclemia Rufino Vieira (Scholar-ship Holder).

- Artists Mr Marcelo da Cunha (As-sociate Member), Mr Eduardo Mo-reira de Melo (Scholarship Holder)and Mr Victor Pereira Santos (Scho-larship Holder) presented their worksat the Praia par todos (“One Beach for

Everyone”) exhibition in Barra da Tijucaon 25 January 2015.

- A number of Brazil’s mouth and footpainting artists were invited to presenttheir works as part of the celebrationsmarking the 450th year of the City ofRio de Janeiro. Based on the theme“Landscapes of Rio”, the exhibition washeld at the Centro Cultural UNISUAMand was attended by some 1,500 visi-tors (4 March-3 April 2015). The partici-pants comprised Mr Marcelo da Cun-ha (Associate Member), Mr JoãoPaulo da Silva Fontenele (Scholar-ship Holder), Mr Eduardo Moreirade Melo (Scholarship Holder), MrVictor Pereira Santos (ScholarshipHolder), Mr Carlos Eduardo RosaFraga (Scholarship Holder), Ms Eu-suclemia Rufino Vieira (ScholarshipHolder) as well as Ms Danielle Diasde Souza (Scholarship Holder).

Borges, Gonçalo(Associate Member) - Gonçalo took active part in a widearray of exhibitions: a) around 900 visitors came to see hisworks which were shown on the premi-ses of the Kimberly-Clark corporation inSão Paulo (24 March 2015). b) exhibition at the Feira Internacionalde Reabilitação (International Rehabili-tation Fair) in São Paulo (9-14 April2015). c) exhibition and presentation at theEscola municipal José Rubens in SãoPaulo. This event was attended by some350 parents, pupils, teachers and visi-tors (24 April 2015). d) solo exhibition at the UniversidadeMetodista de São Bernardo do Campo(UMESP; 7 May-4 June 2015). The showattracted some 3,200 visitors.

Chagas, Maria Goret(Scholarship Holder) - Maria presented her works on fouroccasions:1. as part of a collective exhibition atthe Centro Cultural Franca (3-20 March2015). 2. as part of the der Salão de Abril deBelas Artes exhibition held in the CentroCultural Franca (7-24 April 2015). Maria

received an award at the exhibition. 3. at an exhibition held at the mayoraloffice in Franca (28 April-28 July 2015). 4. Maria held a solo exhibition featuring25 of her own works entitled Talento eExpressão (“Talent and Expression”) atthe Centro Cultural Franca (9-26 June).Her show attracted some four hundredvisitors and was extensively covered inthe local media.

Maia Figueira, Jefferson(Scholarship Holder) - Jefferson was extremely busy carryingout numerous activities during the firstsix months of 2015, including:- an exhibition featuring a painting de-monstration at the Faculty of Educationof the Centro Universitário da Fundaçãode Ensino Octávio Bastos (13 January2015). - participation in the Brazilian publishinghouse’ exhibition stand at the SalãoBike Show in downtown Rio de Janeiro(29 January-2 February 2015). - a collective exhibition featuring a pain-ting demonstration at the Ninth RioArtes Manuais at which he participatedalongside Mr Eduardo Moreira deMelo (Scholarship Holder); 18-22March 2015.

Järvpõld, Tiia(Scholarship Holder)- Tiia held a solo exhibition at the Tarturaekoda (Tartu town hall) in early 2015.She had previously presented her worksat the Tartu Kutsehariduskeskus (thevocational education centre in Tartuwhich mainly provides training coursesfor employed people in the fields ofeducation and social work).

Markus Kolp(Associate Member) - Markus took part in the collective Pa-radisiesche Verhältnisse (“Heavenly Cir-cumstances”) exhibition alongside the

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Artists’ activities

artist community of the KunstvereinSchwabmünchen. The exhibition, whichopened on 13 November 2015, wasscheduled to run until around mid-January 2016. In addition, Markus alsoparticipated in the Süsses (“Sweet”) col-lective exhibition held at a restaurant inKlosterlechfeld (Bavaria) with his pain-ting: Wer ist der nächste (“Who’snext”).

Jansz, Keith(Full Member) - June 2015 marked the 20th year sincethe car accident which left Keith paraly-sed from the neck downwards. Hebroke his fifth and sixth cervical verte-brae. Mindful of the significance ofthese 20 years, he decided to hold twosolo exhibitions, one in Oxford and onein Northampton, at which he presentedhis works to the general public. Whilethe exhibition in Oxford was entitledBritish Paintings (4-13 June 2015), thename he gave to the exhibition whichhe held in Northampton was TheInspiration of Light (24 April-5 July2015).

Moriarty-Simmonds,Rosaleen (Scholarship Holder)

- A great official honour was bestowedon Rosaleen (“Rosie”): Her MajestyQueen Elizabeth II conferred upon herthe Order of the British Empire (theOBE) at Windsor Castle on 17 July 2015in recognition of her services for equali-ty and the rights of people with disabi-lities.

Iliadis, Triantafillos(Full Member) - Triantafillos Illiadis presented his worksand gave painting demonstrations infront of pupils, parents and teachers atan elementary school in Kavala (5-10May 2015). The exhibition was so suc-cessful that the Deputy District Gover-nor of the City of Kavala invited him to

exhibit his works in the district govern-ment building. Attending the openingof the exhibition on 25 May 2015 werethe district governor, the mayor, themajor-general as well as representativesof the church. The exhibition closed on31 May 2015. At the final ceremony,Triantafillos also had the honour ofbeing presented with a plaque from themajor-general.

Szabó, Szonja(Scholarship Holder) - Szonja received the Prima Award in2013 . As an extra bonus, the Mayor ofTata offered her the opportunity tostage an exhibition in the German townof Gerlingen, Tata’s twin town. Szonjagladly accepted this chance to presenther works in Germany.

Subadri, Sabar(Associate Member) - Sabar opened his Galeri Sabar SubadriSaung Kelir on 4 August 2015. The gal-lery was opened in the presence of theMayor of the City of Salatiga and featu-red painting demonstrations by theartists Mr Muhammad Asroel (As-sociate Member), Mr Faisal Rusdi(Scholarship Holder) and Mr AgusYu-suf (Associate Member). Sabarnamed the new gallery Galeri SabarSubadri Saung Kelir. It features a libraryand offers a room for local artists.

- Two artists, Mr Ronen Argalazi(Scholarship Holder) and Mr YitzhakAdir (Full Member), were invited to arock concert performed by Israeli singerMs Si Himan. Izik presented the singerwith one of his works during the per-formance.

Argalazi, Ronen(Scholarship Holder) - Ronen held a solo exhibition in Tel

Aviv. At the opening, he had the honourof presenting one of his works to MsTzipi Livni, Israel’s former foreign mini-ster. In addition, Ronen took part in the“A Day in the Life” Sister Cities ArtCompetition (USA) and the contest.

Ganor, Netta(Associate Member) - Netta held a presentation on theVDMFK as well as her book for childrenat her publisher’s office. The presenta-tion was accompanied by an exhibitionof her works.

Levy, Yohai(Associate Member) - Yohai held a speech about the VDMFKand gave painting demonstrationswhen he opened his gallery right nextto his home. Numerous mouth and footpainters from Israel attended the ope-ning.

Chia, Yong Liang(Scholarship Holder) - Yong Liang participated in the Dr TanTsze Chor Art Awards conferred by theSingapore Art Society. He received theOutstanding Work Distinction awardand his artwork was exhibited in the ArtAwards exhibition (14-19 November2015).

Oh, Soon Yi(Full Member) - Soon Yi Oh staged a highly successfulsolo exhibition at the Coo Gallery inManhattan, New York (7-13 August2014 ).

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SERVICE

Henri-Clairy Hembert (Full Member/France), ‘Three Sailing Boats’, oils, 18x12 cm.

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Information from the office

Submission of originals

The office of the Association kindlyasks all artists to read and takenote of the following information.

All consignments of originals sent in tothe VDMFK are subject to inspection bythe Swiss Customs Administration(Liechtenstein is Swiss Customs Territoryand part of the Swiss Currency andEconomic Area). Import levy is imposedon all originals, which will be paid bythe VDMFK.As artists constantly send their originalsto the VDMFK we have commissionedthe forwarding agency DHL LogisticsAG, Switzerland, to handle this difficultmatter.

We therefore request you to sendall your parcels containing originalsto the following address:

DHL Logistics (Schweiz) AGDHL Freight DivisionAttn. Mr. Kurt Schäpper (VDMFK)Heldaustrasse 66CH-9471 BuchsSWITZERLAND

Please keep in mind the followingpoints when you send in your paintings:-no framed paintings-no passe-partouts-no eye bolts or other hanging devices-no oil paintings that are not dry

Please write the following informationon the reverse of your original:- Name- Country- Original title- Technique- on sale or not on sale

With your cooperation you save usadditional correspondence and consi-derably facilitate the work of theVDMFK.

Please send only originals to DHL butno correspondence, reports, photo-graphs, catalogues, biographies, etc.

All your correspondence etc. shouldbe addressed solely to the:

VDMFKIm Rietle 25P.O. Box 818FL-9494 SchaanPrincipality of LiechtensteinEmail: vdmfk@vdmfk.li

Return of originals

Due to lack of storage we have toreturn the originals to our artists fromtime to time. We send back those origi-nals that have already been reproducedor motifs that are not needed for otherpurposes any more. The VDMFK doesnot need these paintings any more, soplease do not submit the returned origi-nals again. You can use your works foryour exhibitions or sell them. However,please take into account that the pur-chaser does not acquire the right toreproduce the original.For private sales please use the form ofthe VDMFK, which has to be signed bythe respective purchaser.

Hans Massberger accorded a greathonour

Hans Massberger has worked for andbeen a part of the VDMFK ever since itwas first established in 1957. Amonghis many activities he has also served –and continues to serve – as a jury mem-

ber. What few people know is thatHans also works as a painter. He hasnow been accorded a great honour:the internationally renowned Albertinamuseum in Vienna recently boughtthree of his works. The museum andthe VDMFK go back a long way toge-ther. In 2007, for example, the Alber-tina hosted the international exhibitionto mark the fiftieth anniversary of theAssociation. This was not the first timethat a prestigious museum has boughtHans’ works. After all, the StaatlicheGraphische Sammlung München alrea-dy acquired one of his watercoloursmany years ago.

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Tools you need:

• a cotton canvas (paint adheres better to cotton).• various palette knives; the two kinds I suggest here canchange depending on how well your foot can grip objects.• a large or several small pallets for mixing paints• a cloth for wiping off excess paint from the knife• 25 ml tubes of paint (since large amounts of paint are requi-red).

Using the palette knife:

The flat side is used to drag and spread the paint in order tocreate coloured backgrounds or areas. The cutting edge isused for drawing. Any kind of geometric shape can be pro-duced be in this way.

Mr Serge Maudet, President of the VDMFK and mouth painter from France, reveals further tips and tricks aboutthe art of mouth and foot painting.

Foot painting with the palette knife

My suggestion in this issue is that you try working with a new tool, the palette knife. This implement is particularly useful forfoot painters. Foot painter Mr Henri-Clairy Hembert participated in this course by kindly making himself available for thephotos. Above all, he continually adjusts the palette knife to his style of painting.

Painting school

Continued on page 26

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Painting school

Painting a landscape

Use a pencil or brush to draw a rough sketch of the landsca-pe.

Alternatively, apply the paint you wish to use for the back-ground directly to the canvas and draw the foreground withthe palette knife.

Once the background has been completed, draw the moun-tains and make them stand out by applying a darker coat ofpaint for the background.

Should you wish to soften the foothills, you only need to spre-ad the paint by gently dragging it with the flat side of yourpalette knife.

Use a lighter shade to go over the sunny side of the moun-tain.

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Notice carefully how the paint is placed at the edge of thepalette knife.

Now create the sunless side of the mountains; apply a slight-ly stronger tone than the one you used for the sunny side.

Once you have placed the shadows you can paint the fore-ground, once again by using the flat side of the palette knife.

This concludes our first exercise with the palette knife. Theresult is not very complex but nonetheless provides a satisfac-tory image of a pretty mountain landscape.

In the next issue we shall deal with motifs such as bouquetsof flowers and greened facades, while continuing to use thepalette knife.

Painting school

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History of the VDMFK

Vancouver 1995: Ninth Delegates’Convention and Third Artists’Meeting

VDMFK delegates assembled in Van-couver to hold the Ninth Delegates’Convention from 8 May to 13 May1995. This meeting of delegates waslinked to the third Artists’ Meeting ofthe Association. Consequently, all FullMembers, all Associate Members and allScholarship Holders from the UnitedStates and from Canada were invited.The VDMFK held an international exhi-bition at the Vancouver Museum as partof this dual event. At the vernissage, theAssociation was able to welcome DrHedy Fry, Member of the CanadianParliament for Vancouver Centre andParliamentary Secretary to the Ministerof National Health and Welfare, as wellas Mr Bill Barlee, the Minister of SmallBusiness, Tourism and Culture. The lat-ter two senior officials in Canadian poli-tical life also opened the exhibition.Around two hundred works by mouthand foot painters from all over theworld were displayed at this exhibition.

At the plenary session of the Delegates’Assembly the VDMFK announced that itwas supporting 424 artists from all overthe world at that time. In addition, thedelegates were required to hold an elec-

tion to the Managing Board because ofthe need to occupy the vacant seat leftby the death of Board Member Mr ErichMacho. Since Prof Manuel Parreño, footpainter from Spain, was the only candi-date standing for office, he was electedby acclamation to the Managing Board.The other Board Members did not haveto be confirmed in office under the sta-tutes of the Association. Thus theManaging Board was composed as fol-lows following the Vancouver Dele-

gates’ Convention: President Ms Mar-lyse Tovae, Mr Eros Bonamini, Mr Char-les Fowler, Ms Ruth Christensen, MrBruce Peardon, Prof. Manuel Parreñoand Legal Consultant Dr Herbert Bat-liner.

The Third Artists’ Meeting of the As-sociation took place in the wake of theDelegates’ Convention. It was openedby Full Member Myron Angus fromCanada. He said how he was glad thatalmost all artists from the North Ame-rican region had been able to come tothis meeting. As had become a traditionat Artists’ Meetings, the present Fulland Associate Members as well as theScholarship Holders in the North Ame-rican region had the opportunity to ad-dress questions to the Managing Board,of which active use was made. PresidentTovae also used the opportunity toaddress a few words to all those atten-ding the meeting. In the course of herspeech she talked about the aims of theArtists’ Meetings which were to enablethe participants to get to know eachother and to foster more intensive con-tact with the VDMFK. The conclusion tothis dual event comprised an excursionto Whistler Mountain and a city tour ofVancouver.

As part of the event the VDMFK held an international exhibition at theVancouver Museum which was opened by Dr Hedy Fry, Member of theCanadian Parliament for Vancouver Centre and Mr Bill Barlee, Minister ofSmall Business, Tourism and Culture.

Full Member Prof Manuel Parreño (right) was elected for the first time tothe Managing Board in 1995. Standing at his side are VDMFK PresidentMs Marlyse Tovae (centre), Mr Eros Bonamini, Mr Charles Fowler, Ms RuthChristensen, Mr Bruce Peardon and Legal Consultant Dr Herbert Batliner.

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PUBLISHING HOUSES

Young-Soo Kim (Associate Member/South Korea), ‘A Still Life’, watercolour, 38x31 cm.

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Publishers’ activities

- The US publishing house organised atour of exhibitions, painting demonstra-tions and interviews which led mouthpainter Ms Mariam Paré (ScholarshipHolder) to the cities of New York,Chicago, Los Angeles, Orlando, St.Petersburg, Vancouver and Toronto(September to October 2015). Mariamwas supported by the following artists:Mr Antonio Davis (Scholarship Hol-der/USA), Ms Cindy Bernhardt(Scholarship Holder/USA), Mr Chris-topher J. Kuster (Scholarship Hol-der/USA), Mr Cody Tresierra (FullMember/Canada) and Ms TheresaHelen Matthias (Full Member/Ca-

nada). On the NBC Today Show in NewYork City, Mariam presented the twohost anchors with a portrait. Mariamand Cody were welcomed by theLieutenant Governor of British Colum-bia when they appeared in Vancouverand Mariam and Theresa also met theLieutenant Governor of Ontario inToronto.

- The Slovenian publishing house stagedan exhibition in the city of MurskaSobota (3 September - 14 October2015). Held at the gallery of the samename, the show marked the fulfilmentof the publishing house’s five-yeardream finally to put on an exhibition atthis prestigious gallery. On display were22 pictures by 11 Slovenian painters.Each painter contributed two paintings

of his or her choice. The eight Slovenianmouth and foot painters who attendedthe exhibition opening were:Mr Vojko Gašperut (Full Member),Mr Benjamin Žnidaršic (Full Mem-ber), Mr Silvo Mehle (AssociateMember), Ms Angela Medved (Scho-larship Holder), Ms Tina Pavlovic(Scholarship Holder), Mr Erik Piber-nik (Scholarship Holder), Ms DragicaSušanj (Scholarship Holder) and MrŽeljko Vertelj (Scholarship Holder).

USA / CANADAUSA / CANADA

SLOVENIASLOVENIA

- In 2014 the Spanish publishing househeld a total of six joint exhibitions fea-turing works by Spanish mouth andfoot painters. This series of exhibitionsbegan with a show lasting two weeks inLeón. The opening took place on 16January 2014). The focal point of theactivities shifted to Villaverde (Madrid)when the artists’ works were shown atthe Centro Cultural Santa Petronila (11-28 February 2014). After this, the workswere displayed in Torrejón de Ardoz(10-29 April 2014). A further collectiveexhibition took place in Vitoria-Gasteiz(Álava) and was held in the Sala Luis deAjuria exhibition building (12-30 July2014).The Galería Alfareros in Almería(Andalucía) served as the venue for a

subsequent joint exhibition (10-24September 2014). Here the Spanishpublishing house had the great honourof welcoming the Vice-President of An-dalucía among other visitors to the exhi-bition. The many activities held over thecourse of 2014 ended in Haro (La Rioja)with the staging of a collective exhibi-tion (4-24 November 2014). All six exhi-bitions were highly successful, not onlyin terms of the number of visitors whocame to the exhibitions but also inregard to the extensive media coveragethey received, with each event beingreported on local radio stations and TVchannels. Various regional and nationalnewspapers also wrote articles aboutthe exhibitions.

SPAINSPAIN

Scholarship Holder Mr ŽeljkoVertelj, seen here at the exhibitionopening in front of the two workswhich he submitted.

Right: Ms Theresa Helen Matthias(Full Member/Canada) presents theLieutenant Governor of Ontario,the Honourable Ms ElizabethViolet Dowdeswell, with one ofher works.

The exhibitions in Spain were ac-companied by painting demonstra-tions.

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- The French publishing house held aninternational exhibition at the pavillonJoséphine in Strasbourg’s Parc del’Orangerie from 17 to 20 September2015. 120 works by mouth and footpainters from all over the world were ondisplay. Mr Roland Ries, Mayor of Stras-bourg, acted as patron of the event. Anumber of VDMFK artists from Francegladly took up the opportunity to go toStrasbourg and attend the opening, atwhich they held painting demonstra-tions. These included Ms Fanny Bour-geois-Le Boulaire (Full Member), MrHenri-Clairy Hembert (Full Mem-ber), two Scholarship Holders MrArnaud Dubarre and Mr MarcelRossé as well as VDMFK PresidentMr Serge Maudet. Ms Élodie Cazes(Full Member) and Scholarship Hol-ders Mr Messaoud Belabbas, MsBrigitte Burot, Mr Emmanuel LeFloch, Mr Daniel Lapeyre, Ms AnnickLeclerc, Ms Lénaïc Léger, Ms Sté-phanette Lièvre and Ms ChristineMinet were also present at the ope-ning. Overall, around nine hundred visi-tors attended the exhibition, which wasopened by Mr Florian Stegmann, direc-tor of the French publishing house.Among the guests at the preview wasCity Council-lor Ms Seiler, who gave aspeech on be-half of the Mayor andwas presented with a work by MrRossé.

Publishers’ activities

FRANCEFRANCE

Visitors scrutinising the works of mouth and foot pain-ters.

Ms Fanny Bourgeois (Full Member/France) giving apainting demonstration at the opening.

Many visitors attended the opening at which VDMFK President SergeMaudet also gave a small speech.

Mouth and foot painters who had travelled from France to attend theopening of the exhibition in Strasbourg.

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