Tucker's Trust

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Fundraising

We're raising money for a ceiling track lift system for safe transfers. Please click the picture to visit the donation site. And, whether you donate or not, please do share the link on your social networks. THANK YOU!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Greeting Cards, Note Cards, Postcards

I am delighted to announce that I now have my own department in the Implexity Designs shop at Cafe Press where you can purchase greeting cards, note cards, and postcards featuring my artwork. All proceeds go right back into my art supplies fund so I can create more paintings! Check it out HERE. Thanks, y'all.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

ROMPP 2010

The 2010 ROMPP exhibit opens Thursday, May 20th at the WVU Creative Arts Center. The opening reception is from 1:00 to 3:00pm, and the show runs until June 5th.

Two of my paintings were juried into the exhibit:

TUMBLE ATTACK (SOLD)

MISSION of PEACE (SOLD)

Hope to see you at the opening reception! (I'm skipping school to attend.)

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Taking Part

Today, from 10am 'til 2pm at the WVU Mountainlair, Tucker's work will be on display in the Mountaineer Room as part of the capstone event for the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism multimedia project entitled Taking Part.

Please stop by and check out the work of 9 artists with various disabilities.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Free Your Self

The photo collage above was put together by the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council. Isn't it the coolest? I have it on a tote bag & greeting cards, even! The images are taken from my session with Tim Lefens and tracker Mary Beth Hill of Artistic Realization Technologies. They set up a demo at the Community Connections Conference at Canaan Valley Resort back in the spring of 2003.

Friday, February 1, 2008

A Truly Post Modern Guy

The WVU Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism did a Special Project about artists with disabilities. The video above was created as part of that project. Jesse & Sarah did a great job!

Monday, January 1, 2007

Guest Book

Here's what Tim Lefens, author of Flying Colors and founder of Artistic Realization Technologies had to say about me:

Tucker is a strong-willed artist. He has an exacting taste, taking to the full control he gained through the A.R.T. system. The first day we saw him cut loose I knew his potential was unlimited. Tucker has shown the world the level of his talent and sophistication.

And here are some more comments from my Guest Book:

[Tucker is] talented way beyond his years!
These [paintings] are fabulous!!!
So way cool!!!
Tucker, you are awesome ...
Tucker, all I can say that wish I could know you better, where you get that energy from! I have a child with disability and I sure have learnt something very valuable today!! Keep on going buddy!!
Tucker -- your artwork is so wonderful. Congratulations. I am so proud of you.
Tucker, you are a true artist!!
Great work, Tucker! Truly awesome!
Tucker, you're terrific!
Super fantastic! Keep expressing!
I love the colors you use.
Beautiful art. Good luck.
Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
A pleasure to see your art work.
Congrats on your accomplishments.
Tucker -- You ROCK!
Tucker -- I'm so proud of you! I love your work. I hope our paths will cross again soon. Good luck!
Great art work -- Keep the creativity going!!
Tucker, nice use of color.
Thank you for sharing your art and photos with us. You touch my heart in places very few can.
Having watched Tucker during his first flight into painting at the Community Connections Conference in 2003, I'm thrilled to see his work here. -- We'd love to know about any other upcoming shows!
Thanks for being here. This is very inspiring!

Thursday, June 1, 2006

ARTS-ROMPP

ARTS-ROMPP
JURIED ART SHOW
Paul Mesaros Gallery
West Virginia University
Creative Arts Center
2 June - 30 August 2006

A joint exhibition between the WVU College of Creative Arts and the Center for Excellence. ARTS-ROMPP features recent and collected works promoting the creative power in people with disabilities and other challenges.Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, from noon to 9:30 p.m.; Friday from noon to 9 p.m.; and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Galleries are closed Sundays and on University holidays. All exhibitions, lectures, and receptions are free and open to the public.

~ ~ ~

Four of my paintings were juried as part of this summer-long exhibit: Rose Puddles, TV Hip, Crazy, and Life's Double You. Check out my online gallery to see these paintings (and more). A story about the exhibit was broadcast on WBOY and WOWK on Tuesday 12 June 2006. Reporter Lauren Hills did a great job with it!

Tuesday, November 1, 2005

Artist of the Month

WOW! Barry's Office Service of Morgantown selected me as its Artist of the Month for November 2005! My exhibit was featured throughout the entire month:

Saturday, September 20, 2003

PATHS

GREAT NEWS! I had my debut art exhibit as part of the Artists' Showcase at the 8th Annual PATHS Conference* at the Charleston Civic Center (September 17-19, 2003). I displayed nine of my paintings and received a ton of positive feedback.

Check out the article in the Dominion Post about my exhibit.

*I also exhibited at this conference in 2005 and 2006!

Saturday, January 1, 2000

Online Gallery

This is an index to the artwork posted on this blog.

Unless marked SOLD or RESERVED, all pieces are available for sale.

All are stretched & wired, but not framed.Gallery wrap where indicated.
Contact Tucker's Trust for more information.
Please let us know about opportunities to exhibit!
Payments are accepted via check, money order, or electronically online via credit card.

Donations to cover the costs of art supplies are also appreciated. Just click the link in the sidebar. Thanks!

© Tucker's Trust

Cheech & Chong

$50 (set)
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
13w x 16h (each)

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Irie Tears

$40
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
17w x 15h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

BOLTED

$30
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
15w x 18h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Untitled

$50

ACRYLIC on CANVAS
12w x 12h (diamond shaped)

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Mission of Peace

$50
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
16w x 20h

ROMPP 2010

** SOLD **

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Tumble Attack

** SOLD **

$50
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
28w x 19h

ROMPP 2010

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

(untitled)

** SOLD **
22w x 26h

untitled now hangs in the offices of Exceptional Parent magazine. Tucker was featured in the July 2004 issue along with an article about A.R.T.

Untitled

** SOLD **

$40
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
18w x 8h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Deep Violet Swim

NOT FOR SALE
This piece was done in collaboration with tracker Emily Cumberland.
It is not strictly Tucker's work.
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
16w x 48h

Straight Jammin'

$30
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
14w x 18h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

The Dark Sunday

$50
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
19w x 14h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Easter Egg Hunt

$50
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
23w x 14h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Midnight Geometric

$40
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
18w x 30h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Chains of Gain

$20
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
18w x 16h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

The Walls of the Halls

$30
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
22w x 18h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Maze of Orange Daze

$20
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
16w x 8h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $20 to the total. Thank you.

Spring Swirl

$50
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
19w x 13h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Autumn Swirl

$60
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
24w x 24h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Summer Swirl

$60
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
24w x 24h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

The Dots

$20
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
18w x 18h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Funky Splash

$50
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
21w x 14h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Space Adventure

$50
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
30w x 23h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Purple Rad

$50
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
18w x 12h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

It's a Straight Life

$40
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
12w x 30h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Running Water of Lava Fall

$40
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
28w x 37h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Cheddar Cheese Moon

$50
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
34w x 34h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Free in Flow

$50
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
19w x 36h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Evergreen Wish

$100
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
36w x 33h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Life's Double You

$50

ACRYLIC on CANVAS

19w x 36h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Quick Triple Ace

$50

ACRYLIC on CANVAS

31w x 28h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Dumpy Youth Reel

$50
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
24w x 37h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Little Peeved

$50

ACRYLIC on CANVAS

26w x 22h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Destiny

$50

ACRYLIC on CANVAS

23w x 25h

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

Fred and Ethel

$50 (for set)
ACRYLIC on CANVAS
13w x 23h (each)

To purchase, click the DONATE button in the sidebar. Painting may be picked up in Morgantown, WV. If shipping is required, please add $30 to the total. Thank you.

TV Hip

** SOLD **
38 x 46

TV Hip now belongs to West Virginia Advocates, Inc.

Purple Heart

** SOLD **

26w x 17h

Purple Heart belongs to Logan Gentry of Charleston.

Purple Power

** SOLD **

22w x 37h

Crazy

** SOLD **

29w x 12h

Crazy now belongs to ResCare, Inc.

Rose Puddles

** SOLD **

23w x 20h

Rose Puddles now hangs in the studio gallery at WVU's Center for Excellence in Disabilities. Viewing hours M-F 8:30-5:00

Cayla

** SOLD **

A private commission for an exceptional young lady in London. Yes, her name is Cayla. :)

Realizations

For so many of us, the brainwashing begins when our children are quite young, occasionally even before their birth. Diagnoses. Prognoses. It’s no wonder we learn to underestimate our children. After all, we’re bombarded with information regarding their potential (or lack thereof). We get it from the medical profession. We’re fed it by educational experts. We go in search of it online or in libraries. We even get it from friends, family, and total strangers. Some of it is bound to stick. All of it, regardless of the intent with which it was delivered, limits our children.

Tucker experienced a prolonged anoxic episode at birth. From the sheer length of time he went without oxygen, he was unceremoniously moved from one side of the societal balance sheet (future contributing member) to the other (perpetual burden). With that move came a whole host of additional baggage – cerebral palsy, cortical blindness, microcephaly, mental retardation, developmental delay. Sound familiar?

If you doubt or question or resist, you become the parent in denial. I resisted. I still resist. I am persistent in my resistance. I have complete faith in the power of the human spirit, a power that cannot be diminished by disability or adversity. And while my belief in Tucker’s potential was miles ahead of the pack, even I was guilty of selling him short.

I never fought the labels, for they were a means to an end. The end being services. Yet with each utterance, each completed form, those labels were making my son’s world smaller and smaller. By the time I realized this, it was too late. Minds were closed. Invisible “Do Not Disturb” signs hung over the plastic expressions on the faces of teachers, doctors, therapists, administrators, and even some family. Inclusion and self-determination were now on the other side of a Great Wall constructed of labels, bigotry, and indifference.

I had been battling for years to convince others that Tucker could say “yes” and “no” using his eyes. This first entailed convincing them that he had the ability to comprehend even the simplest of questions. A precious few believed. Some pretended to, just to go along. Most didn’t, including several who openly scorned my assertions. You know the type.

Still licking my wounds from the latest beating, a due process hearing in which Monongalia County Schools expended tens of thousands of dollars to convince a hearing officer that Tucker was little more than needy furniture, I happened to pick up a People magazine in a doctor’s waiting room.

Flipping through, I chanced upon an article entitled “Second Sight” which described an artist from New Jersey and how he’d pioneered techniques enabling people with even the most severe disabilities the freedom to express themselves through their art. Able-bodied “trackers” followed the instruction of artists with disabilities, using whatever method of communication available. Some used a laser pointer to choose colors, brushes, strokes. Others made their selections via a painstaking series of yes-or-no questions.

The proverbial light bulb came on. Tucker had always favored the creative arts. Without realizing it, we had been flirting with this technique at home for several months, having Tucker make all the decisions in the crafting of collages. He at least had control over the end product. It was his creation, not that of the teacher or the aide as is the case with those pathetic hand-over-hand projects.

Intrigued, I searched out the website of Artistic Realization Technologies (a/k/a A.R.T.). I read Tim Lefens’ book Flying Colors. The rest, as they say, is history.

In a whirlwind of planning, I managed to arrange for an all day demonstration at an upcoming conference for West Virginians with disabilities and their families. While I was excited to share A.R.T. with the conference attendees, I primarily wanted to present Tucker with the opportunity to paint with professional artists who were completely unfazed by labels, who expected no less of others than they did of themselves.

We decided to give it a try first thing Saturday morning, before the demo room got really busy. My anticipation was unbearable. Tucker wasn’t in the mood. Fine, I thought, this is his show. It won’t be enjoyable if it’s just another required activity. Fighting the crushing disappointment, I agreed we’d return later that afternoon. Throughout the day I watched in amazement (and no small amount of jealousy) as both children and adults, with a wide array of disabilities, blew away the fog of low expectations surrounding them.

Late in the afternoon, Tucker finally indicated he was ready to paint. My palms were sweaty. I hoped he couldn’t sense my anxiety. A massive amount of planning and preparation had gone in to this event. I wanted it to be perfect for him.

As if the Red Sea was parting, the demo room cleared out. The aura of expectation was so thick you could taste it. Observers who’d been in and out of the room all day chose to watch through the window instead, giving Tucker his space.

Tracker Mary Beth Hill (standing) asks Tucker Lewis (center) how he’d like to begin. A.R.T. founder Tim Lefens (kneeling) looks on.

Tucker chooses to begin with a circle. Mary Beth asks Tucker to indicate its center point.

Center selected, Mary Beth next asks Tucker to indicate a point on the circle’s outer rim.

Tucker chooses black, and Mary Beth fills in the circle Tucker chose.

The tracker never questioned Tucker’s ability to communicate. She just accepted it and moved forward from that point. After a very brief orientation, where I “translated” Tucker’s answers, I took a back seat. Responding to her yes-or-no questions with his eyes, Tucker directed the production of an extraordinary piece.

The end product.Tucker's first work on canvas, entitled "Realizations."

And he didn’t stop there. Next, wearing a headband to which a laser pointer was attached, Tucker created a second, equally impressive, work of art.

Tucker’s second piece, entitled "Purple Heart," was created using a laser pointerattached to a headband. The tracker chases the lightwith the paint, using the colors and brushes selected by the artist.
(Don’t you just love the heart shape right in the center?)

No one assumed he couldn’t do it, so he did. It’s really that simple. Every aspect of the paintings was his – from the size of the canvases to the colors to the brush size.

This from a child who the local educational experts had written off as “profoundly mentally retarded.” They had testified that there is no reason to include Tucker, because he is so far gone that he doesn’t even realize he’s being excluded. Expectations simply don’t get any lower than that.

Tucker now has a vocation that he thoroughly enjoys, and the potential for a real honest-to-goodness income-generating career. Isn’t that every parent’s dream?

The team from A.R.T. – founder Tim Lefens and tracker Mary Beth Hill – are true heroes in my book. Their methods have the potential to break down the barriers facing all people with disabilities.

Changing these perceptual paradigms is the first step on the path to freedom. Just ask Tucker!

~ Debi Lewis
Morgantown, WV