From left, Sara, Johnathan, Ben and Rick Breaux of Fairfax stand with Ben’s painting “The Kidney Stone” at the April 23 juried art contest and Our Daily Bread fundraiser “Artful Living.” Photo contributed
“HERE MY WORK IS YELLING AT THE STONE INSIDE THAT REFUSES TO LEAVE MY SOUL AND BODY IN PEACE.” Those are 16-year-old Fairfax resident Ben Breaux’s words that accompanied his mixed-media painting “The Kidney Stone” at the April 23 juried art contest and Our Daily Bread fundraiser “Artful Living.”
Breaux is non-verbal autistic, and for the last three years has created art to express his feelings outwardly. It started with a therapist who was working with Breaux and simultaneously pursuing a master’s degree in art therapy, who encouraged him to create.
Because he has difficulty grasping a paintbrush, Breaux takes old books and arm guards (which he periodically wears to protect his skin from self-inflicted scratching), coats them in paint and then presses them down on to canvas and construction paper, again and again. As the books and guards break down and become coated with many colors and layers of dried Crayolya Washable Glitter paint, they begin to leave bits of material behind on Breaux’s abstract artwork, giving the pieces a raised texture that’s become a signature characteristic.
Breaux’s mother Sara said he’s fascinated by the work of Jackson Pollock and how he used mixed media as well.
Though Ben first got into art as a primary means of expression, in August 2014, he began learning to use the Rapid Prompt Method (RPM) of communication. By pointing to letters one at a time on a large alphabet board, someone on the other side can transcribe as Ben spells out words and constructs sentences.
Ben recently celebrated his 16th birthday party at the family’s home. “It was the first time we knew what he wanted,” in a celebration, Sara said. “We knew who he wanted to come, he was able to tell us.”
“BEING ABLE TO DO RPM ALLOWS ME TO EXPRESS MYSELF IN WORDS,” Ben said, “DOING ART ADDRESSES MY FEELINGS VISUALLY. "
Ben has chosen to put those feelings on display, as well as up for sale, showcasing his art in Our Daily Bread’s Artful Living show in 2015 and now 2016, as well as at the Robinson Secondary School Marketplace in fall 2015. Robinson is Ben’s base school, though he attends the private special needs institution Ivymount School in Rockville.
Ben chose to donate a portion of the money he earned from the Robinson event to Our Daily Bread, a Fairfax-based nonprofit that helps people with short-term safety net services. He’s said he supports their mission of helping put food on people’s tables, because it’s important for families to eat together.
“BEING AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF OTHERS AND DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT,” Ben said.
AT THE APRIL 23 SHOW, held at the Sherwood Center on Old Lee Highway, Ben’s piece was the first sold, to Fairfax City School Board Chairman Toby Sorensen.
“I spotted Ben's mixed media piece and was immediately struck by its texture, color and composition,” Sorensen said in an email. “I had no idea who the artist was or that he was a 15-year-old boy with autism. After a short walk around the exhibit, I realized this was the piece I wanted to buy. I am thrilled to support a young artist who is so talented and hope he continues to express himself in this way.”
“I am thrilled he’s had the opportunity to show his work in this venue,” said Our Daily Bread Executive Director Lisa Whetzel. “What we are hoping is that all artists get visibility and share the community awareness aspect of what ODB is trying to achieve, while also showcasing their talent.”
Of the 64 works of art that were in the show, 28 were purchased and ODB received more than 50 percent of the proceeds. ODB spokesperson Heather Webb said the show brought in more than $45,000, the most raised at any of their events and almost double last year’s tally. A portion of the proceeds will also go to the Spotlight on the Arts scholarship fund.
AWARDS for Best of Medium included:
Oil/Acrylic: “Taino Beach,” Westen Muntain, Falls Church
Watercolor: “Own Little World,” Angela He, Oakton
Pastel/Charcoal: “La Pointe,” Vera Gilbert, Arlington
Photography: “Red Rope Boat,” Annika Burstein, Oakton
Photography (tie): “Life in Darkness,” Lindsay Martin, McLean
Other: “Little Wing,” Lis Zadravec, Sterling
Best of Show: “Her Mind in Glass,” Lydia Dye, Fairfax
People’s Choice: “Deep in the Forest, Briana Camp, Fairfax
People’s Choice (tie): “Welcome to Tibet,” Dale McGrath, Herndon