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VSA and ArtPrize 2011: Meet the Artists!
Josh Andrus, “I Only Have Eyes For Blue”
Showing at Spectrum Health Meijer Heart Center
Josh Andrus is a 26 year old student at Lincoln School in Grand Rapids. He was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of 6. While he developed language at age 4, his words were lost by the time he reached 20. Today, Josh uses a letter board to communicate and expresses himself through his paintings. He often uses color metaphors in his writing, describing the sunrise as “early morning pink” and feelings of anger or frustration as “sick yellow.”
“I Only Have Eyes for Blue” is an abstract painting of color. Artist & Teacher Shannon Harris notes that Josh has a natural ability to balance his paintings with bold strokes and vibrant colors. This year is Josh’s first time to enter the Legacy Trust Award Collection and ArtPrize.
Showing at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus
2011 is Elaine’s second year participating in VSA’s Legacy Trust Award Collection. Elaine turned to art after the anesthesia following surgery left her with aphasia, which makes it difficult to remember words, put together sentences and understand what people say. As her spoken word receded, Elaine turned to the world of images.
This year, Elaine’s work explores the cost of the US’s engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan in her series “Our Boys.” The series uses watercolor pencils to create portraiture-style paintings depicting soldiers from Michigan who died during active service in Iran and Afghanistan in 2010. Following ArtPrize, Elaine plans to gift the portraits to the families of the soldiers.
Michael Johnson, “Michigan Kids and Pets”
Showing at Spectrum Health Meijer Heart Center
Michael is a self-taught artist and has been painting for nearly 20 years and has completed more than 500 portraits of pets, children and houses.
As a person with Down syndrome himself, Michael is especially interested in painting children with Down syndrome. In this painting, Michael has featured 19 children from West Michigan and their pets to illustrate the universal themes of caring, friendship and happiness. Michael describes his work: “I like to work with my brushes and colors. I can make a difference. I see things, little things, people miss. I can work hard and make something beautiful.”