Typewriter Art

Paul Smith, a man with extraordinary talent, was born in Philadelphia on September 21,1921 with severe cerebral palsy. Not only had Paul beaten the odds of a life with spastic cerebral palsy, a disability that impeded his speech and mobility; but also taught himself to become a master artist as well as a terrific chess player even after being devoid of a formal education as a child.                                                                                  

When typing, Paul used his left hand to steady his right one. Since he couldn't press two keys at the same time, he almost always locked the shift key down and made his pictures using the symbols at the top of the number keys. In other words, his pictures were based on these characters .... @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ .

Across seven decades, Paul created hundreds of pictures. He often gave the originals away. Sometimes, but not always, he kept or received a copy for his own records.

As his mastery of the typewriter grew, he developed techniques to create shadings, colors, and textures that made his work resemble pencil or charcoal drawings.

This great man passed away on June 25, 2007, but left behind a collection of his amazing artwork that will be an inspiration for many.

Can you believe that this art was created using a typewriter?

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

AMAZING!!!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK?  

 

Comments

[janeywan]

No way! That blows my mind. I wonder how many hours it took him to do just one of those.
What an incredible mind it would have taken.

Thanks for sharing.

[Nancy]

I think Paul Smith was an amazing man with an extraordinary talent.

Thanks for printing his pictures and introducing him to us.

I especially appreciate his rendition of Mother Theresa. It is wonderful and looks exactly like her.

[Darlene]

Wow! Wow! and Wow! That is unbelievable! Think what a great painter he would have been if he had the full use of his hand. He would rival Manet or Matisse. To produce art like this using a typewriter instead of a paintbrush.has to be ten times more difficult. It is simply incredible!

[storyteller]

Wow … that’s and amazing story and these are awesome drawings! I appreciate you sharing with us in this manner and I’m sorry for the loss of this unique artist.
Hugs and blessings,

[Peter]

That art is sensational Joy, oh to be so talented.

[merle]

Dear Joy ~~ What incredible talent to be able to produce such magnificent
artworks from a typewriter. Very time-
consuming by all the detail. Thanks for sharing this with us Joy. BTW i love the picture on the profile of you.
Thanks for your comment and take great care of yourself, Much love, Merle.

[Kay Dennison]

Fabulous!!!!!! Goes to show what a determined person can do to overcome adversity!

[BearNaked]

Unbelievable.
What a talent he had.
I especially liked the picture of Mother Theresa.
Thanks for sharing.

Bear((( )))

[liz]

Amazing! What incredible patience.