The only speakers to get a standing ovation on the day were a mother and son called Tim and Judy Sharp. Judy shared her family's story of discovering Tim had autism. He did not communicate and she was told to put him in a home and forget about him. She did not! One day she decided to draw the things her and her son were to do that day. By her own admission she was not a very good drawer but the drawings did what she wanted them to. When she put the pencil down her son, for the first time ever, grabbed her hand and indicated for her to keep drawing. His first communication came through drawing.
Tim developed his own unique artistic flare and is now a well sort after artist with pieces around the world. I shared Tim's story with 3/4G last week and we drew our own superheroes (Tim's was Laserbeak Man!) and our own funny pics. One really stood out and that was Keri's. She drew Laserbeak Girl. It was beautiful so I sent Tim an email and this is what I got.
Hi Tim
I met you and your mum after your fabulous speech @ TEDx Sydney last Saturday. The artwork you showed was brilliant and I was so honoured to meet you and your mum.
I am a teacher of 29 Year 3 and 4 students. On Tuesday I showed them your website and we discussed all sorts of things like autism, colourful art, humour in art and taking words literally. They loved “Laserbeak man tells the Wiggles to shut up” and “Red hot mumma” the best.
Inspired by your art the students either copied Laserbeak Man or came up with their own superheroes. One student whose parents are both deaf came up with “Deafman”- he could speak but not hear. Another drew Laserbeak man in a meteor shower and drew a bath with a shower head and a meteor inside.
One girl, Keri Muhlmann, who is a fabulous artist loved your artwork so much and was so inspired by your story that she wanted to make Laserbeak Girl. I have attached a copy of Laserbeak girl.
Thank you for sharing your story at TEDx. I have taught many autistic kids and just hope I can continue to do a good job at seeing their amazing strengths while supporting them in a system that sometimes doesn’t have room for ‘different’
Hello Jo,
thank you for your very kind words and for sharing Tim's story with your students. Tim is really happy that they enjoyed his artwork and that they are making their own super heroes, their ideas sound really great.
It is wonderful to hear that Tim's TEDx talk has inspired someone to try some art, it really is a very special thing and we are very happy to hear that you as a teacher are introducing your students to new ideas like super hero art.
Thank you for sharing this with us. We wish you and all the students in your Year 3/4 class super hero days and hope that they keep on drawing. They are lucky to have a teacher like you.
Best wishes
Judy and Tim
To keri from tim, i really like your drawing of Laserbeak girl, I think her shoes are very beautiful and i like her flying cape. You are a very good artist don't stop drawing from Tim.
thank you for your very kind words and for sharing Tim's story with your students. Tim is really happy that they enjoyed his artwork and that they are making their own super heroes, their ideas sound really great.
It is wonderful to hear that Tim's TEDx talk has inspired someone to try some art, it really is a very special thing and we are very happy to hear that you as a teacher are introducing your students to new ideas like super hero art.
Thank you for sharing this with us. We wish you and all the students in your Year 3/4 class super hero days and hope that they keep on drawing. They are lucky to have a teacher like you.
Best wishes
Judy and Tim
To keri from tim, i really like your drawing of Laserbeak girl, I think her shoes are very beautiful and i like her flying cape. You are a very good artist don't stop drawing from Tim.
