"Extraordinary"

By Tommy Hollenstein

18 x 24 inches

2013

Acrylic paint on paper

     Tommy Hollenstein grew up in the Los Angeles area participating in all sorts of outdoor activities from bike riding, surfing, skating and more until a mountain bike ride accident which injured his spinal cord and left him paralyzed from the neck down. He always wanted to be an artist and after his injury tried using a method where the artist holds the paint brush with his mouth but he was not interested in that and quickly gave up. It was not until his service dog ran through paint that he followed after and saw the marks from his wheels. He no longer has the ability to surf and do all of the other activities he once loved but with the help of his companion and helper "Weaver" he is able to persue his dream of becoming an artist and is now participating in solo and group exhibits all around the Los Angeles area. 

     I not only felt that he more than fit this group of artists, but I love that his art is so captivating even without knowing his condition. I don't have the sympathetic bias towards his art, I just love it!

(http://www.tommyhollenstein.com/about-tommy/, http://www.recapo.com/the-doctors/the-doctors-advice/the-doctors-wheelchair-artist-tommy-hollenstein/)