Leo Haines, a five-year-old boy with cerebral palsy and terminal pulmonary vein stenosis, has just shown his first art exhibit, with all proceeds going to his local hospital.
By Monique Jessen for Tonic.com
Suffering from cerebral palsy and terminal pulmonary vein stenosis, Leo Haines was so sickly when he was born that he spent the first year of his life in the hospital. Not only did the brave little boy survive but he discovered such a talent for painting that he’s just celebrated his first art exhibition.
Due to his severe illness, which includes intermittent deafness, Leo often struggled to communicate with his family. That was before he discovered painting. With a canvas on the floor and a selection of colorful paints, he began to create abstract works with sweeping blocks of color, not so dissimilar to that of the famous artist, Jackson Pollock, reports Britain’s Daily Mail. Painting became a therapeutic hobby and also allowed him to express himself.
Encouraged by his grandmother, Marianna Thomas, herself a local painter, Leo began to paint up to five times a week over the last two years. “It began by getting him to recognize different colors and mixtures and shapes. Now it is his favorite pastime,” said grandfather, Brian who added: “I suppose you’d call them impressionism — they’re definitely inspired by his choice of colors.”
Leo, now five has a collection of 40 unique works, which are being shown at his first art exhibition in Taunton, Somerset. His proud grandparents couldn’t be happier to see the effect that art has had on their precious grandson. “It has been great for Leo — it’s got him communicating,” said Brian.
And, as a thank you gesture to the nurses and doctors who have helped Leo, the family is donating all of the proceeds from his exhibition to the children’s unit at Musgrove Park Hospital, where Leo still receives treatment.