I was amazed at the response I got when I posted these two articles My Autistic Son, The Emerging Artist and I Wish I Understand in Steemit regarding the artwork that my autistic son Jonathan had created. @longshot suggested that I draw back to Jonathan in order to express my feelings towards him. That seems like an excellent idea except that I don't really know how to draw. My experience with art has been terrible to say the least. My impression is that art has to be nice and beautiful in a very conventional way. And there is no way that I can create beautiful artwork. @ longshot's suggestion germinated in my mind and I was fortunate to come across @everlove and her artistic collaboration with the other artists in the Steemit community.
Since art seems to be the only thing that Jonathan is interested in, art can be a medium that I can used to communicate with Jonathan. Therefore my artwork does not have to be beautiful in the conventional sense, but I will be most happy as long as Jonathan is able to understand the message which I want to convey to him. This is a turning point, in my life, never could I imagine that I will take art seriously and start to produce artwork. But I am determined to get out of my comfort zone and try something new.
To prepare Jonathan for the art collaboration, first of all, I told him of the good response towards his artworks from the Steemit community. I informed him of the messages of love, support, encouragement and congratulations that were received. My wife Roselind and I read out each message to him. From this smile in his face, he seem to understand what we were saying. To those wonderful Steemians who send these beautiful messages, Jonathan and I would like to say a very big thank you. I would like to show my appreciation with a shout-out to @everlove, @longshot, @darthnava, @jameshsmitharts, @mariandavp, @headlessjess, @xxsenpaixsamaxx, @pointtojoin, @awesomianist, @jedau, @karenmckerrsie, @god-is-love, @anandkphoto, @ace108, @reddust, @ogoowinner, @flowerpowerart, @birdiewonder, @wordsword, @gbenga, @paniopan, @happy-doge, @tamsguitar, @silviabeneforti, @freeze, @jacobts, @elewarne, @locoestaban, @girlbeforemirror, @royalmarco, @drobinson, @aishwarya, @digitaldollar, @ackza, @bitcoinman,@clixmoney, @melooo182, @thatgrlbeth, @yusaymon, @nspart, @shellany, @sarahewaring, @alchemage, @originalsimulant, @orinklev, @kyriacos, @tengkuputeh, @gamer00, @mikenevitt, @ferrisducker and @akiyoshi.
I told Jonathan that we will be doing artwork together. My idea for our first collaboration came from our frequent visits to the park. While Jonathan walked in the park, he liked to pick up leaves; leaves that have fallen on the ground. These fallen leaves became our first collaboration.
This is the park where Jonathan likes to go and collects leaves there
Jonathan begun his artwork by preparing the background.
Jonathan putting glue on the leaves.
Jonathan selected these 3 leaves for this work. Is it the case of father leaf, mother leaf and Jonathan leaf?
Jonathan applying water colors on a leaf.
Jonathan's final drawing
And this is my work. I explained to Jonathan the heart represented my love for him, but the leaves are broken because of the heartaches we experienced.
This is our work together. I think Jonathan's work is more artistic
This is the poem that I have written for this artistic collaboration
Those Fallen Leaves
Those fallen leaves
Remind us of the preciousness of life
That we should treasure each moment
As our lives passes by
Those fallen leaves
Reminds us of the cycle of life
For in between birth, maturity and death
Are opportunities for us to leave our footprints
Those fallen leaves
Reminds us of the diversity of life
Leaves of assorted sizes, shapes and colors
Giving us unity in the diversity of mankind
Those fallen leaves
Reminds us of the sacrifice of life
Although wilted these leaves are just as beautiful
Just as our deeds live on after we are gone
Do check out some of my previous posts.
Gods We Created
7-steps To Success At Steemit: Sharing My Cheat Sheet
A Special Place In Our Hearts
Cheers
Charles
Finally these pictures have shown up for me. Great post @positivesteem. What a blessing you have to tune into this divine being. I believe nurturing his expression will pay off on many levels. I
appreciate the shoutout and am grateful that I can provide some inspiration. Collaboration provides great opportunity to grow, to feel a part of something, and to let loose our inner expression. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Yes, I believe that this collaboration is beneficial to me and Jonathan
Me too!!!!
Incredible. This is the type of post I love to see. Jonathan's art is very beautiful. Continue to update us with whats next on his palette. God bless.
Thank you for your kind words. I intend to do more work with him as this is helping him as well as myself. Do follow me to see more post.
FOLLOWED :)
That's well said. @positivesteem
Resteemed.
@clitadias: This is up your street.
Thank you so much for your support, for resteeming and for alerting @clitadias
https://steemit.com/art/@yusaymon/the-great-suuuper-jonathan-dedicate-to-positivesteem-jonathan-and-his-family
This is what i love to see. I'm a Mother of an Autistic Child its Amazing through Picture PECS I'm able to communicate with my non-verbal Son. Best wishes to You & Your Family "God Bless"
Many thanks for your best wishes. I also wish the best for you and your autistic child. Yes, there are various methods that we can use to reach out to our autistic children.
Thank you so much for your message of love and support. Do follow me if you have not done so.
I´m following u my friend.
Thanks my friend
Upvoted
Thank you so much. Do follow me to see more of such post
May god bless you and your son!
Thank you so much for your kind words
keep it up @positivesteem nice to meet you!!
im from borneo island too!!
folllowing you!
Nice to meet you here too. I see that you write poems too, so there is common interest. Followed you too
<3 thankyou!! upvote and resteem if u like it !!
Nice to meetyou!! 🍉
Sure. Do check out my poems too.
Lovely post!
Tell Johnathan that I think his drawings are AWESOME! The leaves and colors work perfectly!
We already know that you're going to keep up the great work with your son, so I'll say: Keep up the great work with the posts! They're very touching.
Thank you!
Thank you so much. I will definitely tell Jonathan that you liked his work. Do follow me for more.
This is amazing what you have done! I don't know what made me suggest your doing this (Divine intervention?), but your act to reach out in the community and LEARN art for you to communicate with Jonathan is commendable and very touching for me. I am gladdened I suggested this and it brings joy to your family and your son by sharing.
I have copied your poem and will save it. Blessings to you all. ~ @longshot
Yes, I am glad that you made the suggestion as I has not occurred to me to draw back to him. It is the beginning of a journey for both me and Jonathan.
this is wonderful art does not have to be 'perfect' to be appreciated I enjoy abtract act as much as any other type of art and I am so glad that you have a way to be close to your son - my prayers are with you and your son!
Incredible. This is the type of post I love to see. Jonathan's art is very beautiful. Continue to update us with whats next on his palette. God bless.
Thank you so much for your encouragement. I intend to do more work with Jonathan, do follow me for more.
It's really heartwarming to see your collaboration.
The poem fits perfect to the painting. It's a great part of the collaboration.
The heart is a very good place to start with art, and you did a great "job"(it's not a job of course :)
You know I'm very conventional when it comes to art too. But now I'm on Steemit I really learn to appreciate other art forms. I guess it's the doing.
I like Jonathan's drawing too, and indeed one could think that he picked a father mother and Jonathan leave.
Thank you for writing me a reply, or else I might have missed it. I'm way behind on my feed. lol. But I wonder who isn't.
Keep on steemin'
This whole post just moves my soul and warms my heart. I am so glad you were able to communicate and bond with your son. Thanks for sharing.
Amazing amazing amazing !
Following!
Thank you for your support.
Wonderful work, I know a parent will always be proud of a child's milestone! ☺
Thank you for your encouragement. My wife and I will continue to work with Jonathan.
@positivesteem I always enjoy your posts and this one stirred my soul, it's amazing to see how much you love and care for your son and the lengths you go through for him. I hope in future comunicating with him will become easier.
You are an amazing parent. Keep it up!
Thank you for your encouragement. This will motivate me to do more work with Jonathan.
awesome post , I really loved your story and both art work were amazing , what a great colaberation ! Keep up the great work !👍👍👍
Thank you so much for your kind words and support.
your very welcome !👍
Many autistic people have great talent and skill, they just don't express it the way others do. If you discover his special skill and develop it, they make great contributions to society. I upvote and follow.
Thanks for your support and for following me
Good to see these activities. Cheers!!!!!
Nature has its healing powers.
Yes it does
I really love to see this!! I big hug to you and to your son, @positivesteem ! ^_^
Thank you so much for the kind words
I love your sons work. I am so glad that you encourage him to create! I love when my children want to paint with me.
Thanks for your kind words. Art is now something that will connect the two of us and I will continue to work with Jonathan. Do follow me to see some more.
i have been following you
Thank you for following me
This the true color of art, this is why art exists... to help us express ourselves and communicate when everything else fails. You and your son are a wonderful addition to the community. Give me a day or two to think of what we could do together with and for Jonathan...
beautiful...
I love Jonathan's gift. you are a wonderful father. steem on
Thank you for your kind words.
keep it up Jonathan, you are great and you have a lovely father
Thanks for the encouragement. . I will keep you posted or you can just follow me.
i followed you my friend. thanks
Thanks my friend
@positivesteem, this is great. I have followed you to see more of Jonathan's art.
Thank you so much my friend. Greatly appreciated.
Beautiful and inspiring. I enjoyed your honest poem and you have a talented son. Stories of human compassion are always so much more rewarding to me than updates on prices and trading advice. I continue to loose money in the markets each time I play. But I am always a billion times richer when I witness the power of humanity and caring for one another. I am a member of a mighty improv team called The Reckoning. We have a saying, Art Saves Lives. I have seen it, I am seeing it, you are witnessing it. It means more than physical health, it is an emotional medicine that enriches our relationships. Thank you for sharing your intimate journey with the world. Wishing you and yours much love and joy. And thank you for stopping by my little ol posts, it is always nice seeing your comments. Peace and Blessings.
Thank you for taking the time and effort for writing such a meaningful message. This is a new phase of my life where i am taking art very seriously.
Where there's love, the heartache is forgotten.
Yes indeed, love can soothes the pain
Great job, Jonathan! Those are amazing works of art! :D Keep on harnessing your artistic potential, young man :D
Thank you so much for your encouragement.
Thank you very much I've never been mentioned before. Keep up the great art work. Cheers mike
You are welcome my friend. There is always a first time.
Cheers pal
Blogs like these make Steemit such a wonderful community. Keep going. All the best to you and your son. Tell him I love the leaves and the heart in the bottom pic and of course your poem. Resteemed my friend....all the best
Once again, thank you for your support. I really appreciate the support that I received from Steemit.