A young artist is making his mark with a new art show at the Margaret Hennigar Public Library.
Twenty-five year old Laurie Finck has a talent for colour and patterns.
He loves oil pastels on wood and experimenting with acrylic paints to find the right hue.
And he has Autism.
Finck’s mother Elizabeth says it started as a way for Finck to find calm and peace.
“It’s a stressful world for them because they can’t really understand what’s going on around them if they have severe Autism and because of that, it benefits us, it benefits the household, it makes it a calmer place.”
Elizabeth says it quickly became apparent that her son had an eye for art and they hired an instructor for him.
“Some of the patterns go on through literally hundreds of pieces of wood and make this beautiful mosaic,” says Elizabeth. “He has an ability with colour that sometimes artists try to get for years.”
Although Finck enjoys creating patterns and mosaics, he’s also a fan of local birds, which got the attention of staff at Bonny Lea Farm. Finck takes part in their day program three times a week.
He started to use his art for his work there, particularly his drawings and paintings of birds for things like stationary and cards.
“When I first saw it, his use of colours and the intensity of the blue, and then this very folk art ish looking seagull… I immediately thought of Maude Lewis, it’s just this perfect use of colour and very crisp and simple,” says Liz Finney, Fund Development Director at Bonny Lea.
With the permission of Finck’s family, staff decided to put together the application for the art show at the Bridgewater library.
“Our goal was really to show how art is for everyone,” says Finney.
Elizabeth says her son likely won’t be attending the show.
“He’d want to take all of the art home with him,” she chuckles.
Finck’s work will be on display throughout the month of June.
A talk is also being held at the library at noon, June 17.
Elizabeth, Finck’s art teacher Marlene York, and staff from Bonny Lea Farm will be on hand to discuss how art is for everyone.
Contributed photo
Story by Brittany Wentzell
@BrittWentzell
