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. |
"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". |
AJZ ART Anthony Zaremba Watercolorist |