I was amazed at the response I got when I posted these two articles My Autistic Son, The Emerging Artist and I Wish I Understand in Steemit regarding the artwork that my autistic son Jonathan had created. @longshot suggested that I draw back to Jonathan in order to express my feelings towards him. That seems like an excellent idea except that I don't really know how to draw. My experience with art has been terrible to say the least. My impression is that art has to be nice and beautiful in a very conventional way. And there is no way that I can create beautiful artwork. @ longshot's suggestion germinated in my mind and I was fortunate to come across @everlove and her artistic collaboration with the other artists in the Steemit community.
Since art seems to be the only thing that Jonathan is interested in, art can be a medium that I can used to communicate with Jonathan. Therefore my artwork does not have to be beautiful in the conventional sense, but I will be most happy as long as Jonathan is able to understand the message which I want to convey to him. This is a turning point, in my life, never could I imagine that I will take art seriously and start to produce artwork. But I am determined to get out of my comfort zone and try something new.
To prepare Jonathan for the art collaboration, first of all, I told him of the good response towards his artworks from the Steemit community. I informed him of the messages of love, support, encouragement and congratulations that were received. My wife Roselind and I read out each message to him. From this smile in his face, he seem to understand what we were saying. To those wonderful Steemians who send these beautiful messages, Jonathan and I would like to say a very big thank you. I would like to show my appreciation with a shout-out to @everlove, @longshot, @darthnava, @jameshsmitharts, @mariandavp, @headlessjess, @xxsenpaixsamaxx, @pointtojoin, @awesomianist, @jedau, @karenmckerrsie, @god-is-love, @anandkphoto, @ace108, @reddust, @ogoowinner, @flowerpowerart, @birdiewonder, @wordsword, @gbenga, @paniopan, @happy-doge, @tamsguitar, @silviabeneforti, @freeze, @jacobts, @elewarne, @locoestaban, @girlbeforemirror, @royalmarco, @drobinson, @aishwarya, @digitaldollar, @ackza, @bitcoinman,@clixmoney, @melooo182, @thatgrlbeth, @yusaymon, @nspart, @shellany, @sarahewaring, @alchemage, @originalsimulant, @orinklev, @kyriacos, @tengkuputeh, @gamer00, @mikenevitt, @ferrisducker and @akiyoshi.
I told Jonathan that we will be doing artwork together. My idea for our first collaboration came from our frequent visits to the park. While Jonathan walked in the park, he liked to pick up leaves; leaves that have fallen on the ground. These fallen leaves became our first collaboration.
This is the park where Jonathan likes to go and collects leaves there
Jonathan begun his artwork by preparing the background.
Jonathan putting glue on the leaves.
Jonathan selected these 3 leaves for this work. Is it the case of father leaf, mother leaf and Jonathan leaf?
Jonathan applying water colors on a leaf.
Jonathan's final drawing
And this is my work. I explained to Jonathan the heart represented my love for him, but the leaves are broken because of the heartaches we experienced.
This is our work together. I think Jonathan's work is more artistic
This is the poem that I have written for this artistic collaboration
Those Fallen Leaves
Those fallen leaves
Remind us of the preciousness of life
That we should treasure each moment
As our lives passes by
Those fallen leaves
Reminds us of the cycle of life
For in between birth, maturity and death
Are opportunities for us to leave our footprints
Those fallen leaves
Reminds us of the diversity of life
Leaves of assorted sizes, shapes and colors
Giving us unity in the diversity of mankind
Those fallen leaves
Reminds us of the sacrifice of life
Although wilted these leaves are just as beautiful
Just as our deeds live on after we are gone
Do check out some of my previous posts.
Gods We Created
7-steps To Success At Steemit: Sharing My Cheat Sheet
A Special Place In Our Hearts
Cheers
Charles