Local disabled artist’s work recognised in this year’s Christmas card range
Rosemeadow mouth-painting artist Jim Hodkinson has once again been recognised for his extraordinary talent, with one of his paintings featuring in the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) 2006 Christmas range. The MFPA range includes greeting cards, wrapping paper, gift tags and bookmarks and is sent to thousands of residents around Australia.

Jim, a member of the MFPA since 1992, began painting with a brush held in his mouth after a diving accident left him a quadriplegic. His painting of candles with holly and ivy has been reproduced on Christmas gift tags and gift wrap for the 2006 card range.

“Christmas themed paintings are my specialty and I enjoy painting them all year round. You can really let yourself go and use all the pure and bright colours of Christmas,” Jim said.

“It always feels good when your paintings are chosen to be published for the card ranges. I submit about six paintings every three months so sometimes I get a pleasant surprise to find out my painting has been chosen to be reproduced,” he said.

In April next year, Jim will be attending the 50th Anniversary MFPA conference in Vienna with fellow MFPA artists from Australia and around the world.

Founded in 1956 by a group of European artists, the MFPA is a self-help organisation which gives people with disabilities the opportunity to fulfil their creative ambitions while still maintaining financial independence by selectively selling their artworks.

To become a member, an artist must qualify by painting using a brush held in either their mouth or foot, having lost the use of their hands through an illness or accident.

For further information on the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists or to place an order contact MFPA on (02) 9698 3933.

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Released for MFPA by Dennis Rutzou Public Relations (www.drpr.com.au).
For further information contact Aleks Czerwinski
on (02) 9413 4244.