When I was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, I thought it was the end of my ability to live a normal life. MS simply opened a new chapter in my life. Besides my wife Dorothy, art is the most important thing to me. When I paint, I am not disabled…I am an artist. Art gives me reason and purpose. I am inspired to continue to paint when I see the reaction and emotion drawn from someone who has seen the beauty of life through one of my paintings. My path to becoming an artist was not originally part of my lifelong plan. Upon graduation from High School, my art teacher recognized my art ability. Because of her encouragement and her recommendation; I was awarded a full scholarship to the School of Visual Arts in New York City. I attended and graduated from the School of Visual Arts majoring in fine arts. I studied the masters, and I am still inspired by their works. During the last five years, I adapted to physical changes due to Multiple Sclerosis. Unable to paint with my natural right hand, I retrained myself to paint with my unnatural left hand. The transition from right handed painting to left handed painting creates looseness in my watercolor paintings that appear impressionistic. |
| My earlier paintings were more defined. In the past several years, I developed a tremor in my hands that at times makes holding the brush difficult. I will often alternate from left- handedness to right-handedness when fatigue is a factor. So in actuality, my artwork has made a transformation of an impressionistic nature that I am quite satisfied with. How has art transformed me? I really never thought about it until I received an invitation to the “Transformation International Juried Exhibit for Artists with Disabilities” at the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center in Washington D.C.. Art has enabled me to see with my heart. I paint not only with my brush, watercolors, and canvas but with what I feel inside…that’s my most important instrument. I would be a different person had I not become disabled. Perhaps I would have excelled in something physical, pushing my body to its limits. But what makes me come alive is challenging my creative ability, and thanks to art, I really like who I am today. Art has transformed me into so much more than someone with a disability. Art has given me wings to fly…. And I use these wings to soar through myimagination, to create a moment in time on my canvas. In July, 2002, an enabling garden for physically challenged gardeners was dedicated in my name. The creation of the garden was made possible by a generous grant from the Berlex Drug Company, and a program called "Champions of Courage". Volunteers of the Floyd Bennett Garden Association in Brooklyn New York worked tirelessly to complete the construction of the garden. View the opening ceremony and dedication of the wheelchair accessible garden by clicking on the sign that adorns the entrance to the garden for gardeners with special needs |
"Art transforms my imagination, creates new challenges and creativity for me. Art has
consciously transformed my life . Art inspires a spirit within me to seek a deeper
meaning to all that surrounds me".
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| AJZ ART Anthony Zaremba Watercolorist |
Author Jackie Waldman, called to interview me for
inclusion in her book, "People with MS with the
Courage to Give", I was thrilled . Ms. Waldman's book
is a wonderful and inspirational work of love created
by Ms. Waldman for all disabled persons, not only
those with MS. Publisher is Red Wheel/Weiser. All
proceeds from the book by Jackie Waldman are
donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Read about the formation of the enabling garden that
bears my name. My story is chapter three in the book.
Click on the book below to learn more about the book,
and also visit the MS Society link to learn more about
Multiple Sclerosis.
inclusion in her book, "People with MS with the
Courage to Give", I was thrilled . Ms. Waldman's book
is a wonderful and inspirational work of love created
by Ms. Waldman for all disabled persons, not only
those with MS. Publisher is Red Wheel/Weiser. All
proceeds from the book by Jackie Waldman are
donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Read about the formation of the enabling garden that
bears my name. My story is chapter three in the book.
Click on the book below to learn more about the book,
and also visit the MS Society link to learn more about
Multiple Sclerosis.
Click on a link below to visit my favorite websites