Chalk Festival Photo Essay by Jerry O’Brien

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Huge love and thanks to our wonderful friend and supporter Mr. Jerry O’Brien. Your photographs truly captured OUR DAY! You are a strong uniting force as we lovingly team up to CELEBRATE DIFFABILITIES!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: autism chalk festival, Autismhwy chalk festival, bj lane, brent anderson, covina chalk festival, darryl black, Joel Anderson, Jorge Marquez, josh elmore, kelly green, kevin rose, mayor of covina walter allen, senator ed hernandez, shane mckaskle, Who's Clayton
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Expressive Activism

It occurred to me that, that is what we do here at AutismHWY.com!! Expressive activism~ We express our JOY in life…with or without the diagnosis of Autism. We want the world to fall in line with that thinking! I think we, as an emerging community are so far beyond the days of wallowing and grieving. Life will pass us by if we spend all of our days freting, worrying and  unhappily waiting for “cures”. While constantly stressing and bemoaning the fact that our children have uncertain futures.

Afterall, that is what the future is always made of…UNCERTAINTY! For all of us  despite the crosses we may or may not bear genetically or otherwise. When we arise in the morning it is not assured that we be there when it is time to lay down and sleep. Life is an honor. A privilege bestowed upon us through the cosmos of destiny. What a spectacular thing it is. To be revered and regarded moment by moment. Making the best of every instance. Respecting it fully for it’s simplistc brilliance. So, with an unsure future we carry on expressing ourselves. Expressing how we take in this precious life and how we respond to it. Hoping for others to learn  from this and recognize in themselves the many similarities amongst the abject difference.

To me it has felt like a brand new Renaissance. Since I first joined the on-line Autistic populations… Art, Poetry, Photography, Music, Drama~ created by brilliant, wonderful people. Sharing their perceptions in the best ways they know how. Creativly opening windows of light/insight for the world to understand Autism, the human mind and to better understand themselves! One of those amazing people has now left our worldly ranks but, not before he encouraged a wildfire of EXPRESSIONISM for Autistic people and their loved ones.

Jeffrey Michael Kellen a caring educated hard working man from Indiana. Through his infinite wisdom  created a wonderful safe haven for Autistic people and co. to connect and express the positive energy we feel in our lives… (contrary to popular belief.)  Artists and Autism on facebook is an enclave of talented individuals. A fun and effervescent place to show your talents and to enjoy the talents of other’s. Nurturing self respect and free expression. I am proud to  have been chosen to be a moderater of the page by it’s catalystic creator. With challenges we link together daily combining hearts of expression and a desire to change the world for Autistic people. Thankyou, to you Jeff and Kara for pointing people in this awesome direction! Forever helping us to join forces and raise the bars!

In the summer of 2010 Jeff and his beautiful wife Kara sparked something very FUN and IMPORTANT for AutismHWY.com’s future. Their annual participation in their Indiana community’s Chalk-Walk. Over the course of a weekend the Kellen’s would create masterpieces on the blazing pavement! That summer as I became involved with Artists and Autism, Jeff and Kara honoredand delighted me by choosing 2 of my Autism awareness designs to chalk for the event! To devote their squares raising awareness for Autism rocked my world and many others !!

It also did something else…I will never forget the feelings evoked in me, seeing those amazing images emblazoned so masterfully by Jeff and Kara. At that moment I vowed that AutismHWY.com would organize an entire Chalk Festival to raise awareness and share the incredible talent that is out there waiting for opportunity!!

PLEASE support this type of FUN and FREE Expression!! Our 2nd Annual “Show YOU Care~ BE Aware” Chalk Festival will be Saturday April 14th….stay tuned for details!!! Inquiries can be mailed to kelly@autismhwy.com

Tags: Artists and Autism, autismhwy.com, bj lane, bubblesmakehimsmile.com, Fort Wayne Indiana Chalk walk, Jeffrey Kellen, Jeremy Bernstien, Kara Kellen, naturallyautistic.com
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Not JUST talking “The Talk”…

…OR walking “The Walk”. We are taking  Autism Awareness Action in new ways…Giving people a sensory experience if you will. Art and acceptance go hand and hand. What speaks to people without words? Yes, Autism speaks to me in this manner through my 12 yr. old son Wyatt. But what I speak of  is divine creativity! The mother of all invention. People’s minds used to the highest power to start something new!

Mixed in with a splash of color and positivity! What better way to bridge to people’s hearts and minds  than through color, creativity and smiles. Since I had my “epiphany” to create books describing my son’s Autistic  behaviors to the many curious children. I have felt an amazing flow of energy. Unexplainable really. One great connection after another presenting itself. Truly remarkable. I have always been an artist working alone. In recent months I feel as if I have been recruited.

Recruited to an invisible yet, powerful surge.An artistic army making a wave of change. Change in perceptions and attitudes. Attitudes that have shaped generations of Autistic people and their families. Worse yet, the rest of the world. Attitudes of shame , sadness and anxiety over the future. Feelings all valid and understandable in the culture we live in. That phrase is critical though. “The culture we live in”…  the amazing and the absurd. There are so many amazing things people are capable of and at the same time so much absurdity. People need to realize that “the culture we live in” is not the gold standard. Not the end-all, be-all.

The ideal, the pinnacle, the cream of the crop? People have given in to such crazy and unnatural behaviors. All for the sake of status. When  car companies propogate elitism to children sitting in vehicles at stoplights as per who has the superior backseat entertainment system…excuse me while I go and throw-up. Really? Is this the ideal? Status seeking chidren raised up to better society? Is this the legacy that Autism steals from you? Then thankyou very much, I have been burgaled!! I won’t be pressing  any charges. Sometimes, I believe less can be more.

Sure Wyatt’s life may not be filled with proms and cars and jobs…Should I go out there in a frenzy trying to make that happen with every hair-brained plan going?? When in my gut I know it is not essential to him? I think not. Playing the hand your dealt is what life is about for ALL of us…!! My Autism Awareness Action plan is about making sure everyone is told the rules to the game. How can we expect people to play awareness games with us  if no-one understands the rules? Through happiness people can recieve information much easier. With sadness and dread messages are avoided and lost. Saved for the people that have to deal with those messages. So with Happy and creative plans we go to the masses. Seeking to find people open to this perception shift.

Coloring awareness in new ways, that bridge  what autism really is for people…walking and talking are what we do everyday. People are used to it…we need something NEW~ a gimmick.

“GIMMICK: a trick device used by a magician.” Sounds about right!! To get the masses to realize the error of their thinking regarding Autism. .We could use…Harry Houdini or~The perfect solution ART, HAPPINESS and good old fashioned INGENUITY! Chalk Festivals, MURALS, “Teaching” Coloring Books and Pages. Positive imagery making positive attitude adjustments. Take control of  the Autism belief systems in your area, start campaigns of colorful change! Need some ideas? Just ask me how~  kelly@autismhwy.com

 PULL SOME RABBITS OUT OF THE AWARENESS HAT!!

Tags: autism awareness action, Autism shines mural, bj lane, kelly@autismhwy.com, making friends with autism coloring book, show you care be aware chalk festival
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

The 1st Annual Show YOU Care~Be AWARE Chalk Festival!!

…todays 1st Annual “Show YOU Care~Be AWARE” Chalk Festival  has officially ended. Such a whirlwind of friends old and new spliced with color!! It was the HOTTEST day of the year! (Thank goodness for our AutismHWY fans!!)

Whew…..I was so busy I hardly had time to turn around…Next time, the 1st thing on my “to-do list” IS~~ HELPERS!!!

 

 

Thankyou so much Jan Beaver Coad…if it wasnt for you manning the blog and all ~I never would have made it through this day!! You are an Aspie~Angel! I am so blessed to have you as a friend and colleague.

Thanks to my other amazing friends that showed up…to say “I care!!” Rachel Walker and her awesome husband David Cone… Lois Falzone and cool family, Marci Cos

ta Heaton and cool fam…Lori Shayew…our “Gifts of Autism’, visionary…Jackie Ehlinger and family…Dianne and J.J. Bernstein~ WOW, Kathy Smith and her amazing beauties…What dazzling displays of jewelery by J.J…Kathy and Jan!! Man I have some gifted friends!! Thanks a million everyone!

 

 

 

I was not able to finish all I wanted to do. That being said, the amazing artists like Bj Lane  and people that showed up were such FUN and inspiration!! Artists, Authors, Jewelers and friends!! What an interesting and appreciative crowd!!  MUCH MORE to say…but, too tired to say it!! (VERY RARE FOR ME  lol!!) Thankyou ALL from the bottom of OUR HEARTS!!!

 

 

 

 

FOR Kathy Smith’s JEWELRY~”Time For a Change Watches”  www.timeforachangewatches.com

FOR  J.J.Jeweler…..e-mail desianer@hotmail.com

 

Tags: autismhwy.com, bj lane, california burgers, jan beaver coad, kelly green, lois falzone, show you care be aware chalk festival
Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments »