Monday, October 12, 2009

~ Typewriter Art ~ AMAZING!















He lived at Rose Haven Nursing Home ( Roseburg , OR ) for years. Paul Smith, the 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.

Typewriter Art ~ Can you believe that this art was created using a typewriter?
If you'd like to see more of Paul Smith's artwork, go to:

http://www.paulsmithfoundation.org/main_gallery.html

33 comments:

  1. Marydon great pictures they are so wonderful the train and the train tracks look great. Thanks for stopping by today to visit. My mom tells me you guys have been talking every night since she has been away, how wonderful that you guys keep in touch you are truly made to be great friends. I hope this night finds you well.

    Blessings,
    Heidi

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  2. Marydon, those are beautiful and what an inspiring story! I so wish I owned one of those... I will remember a special man... Bisous... Julie Marie

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  3. Aren't those cool! He had such a great talent. I posted these too a while back. LOL He certainly didn't let his disability stop him.
    *hugs*deb

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  4. Hi Marydon,
    WOW !! Simply amazing and wonderful pieces to cherish.. It always amazes me to see the talents people are gifted with.. What a blessing.. Thanks for sharing ~
    hugs ~tea~xo

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  5. Hello, Marydon!!!
    These are absolutely amazing! This man literally, had more talent in one finger~ than I could ever imagine! Such a special collection.... of a true dying art. You just never see typewriters~ let alone artwork created by one, anymore.
    Christina
    OXOX

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  6. What a wonderful incredible story. My brother grew up having suffered from a stroke at 10 days old and it was unbelieveable what he could do with one hand ~ that I take for granted being able to do with two!! So inspiring! Thank you Marydon!!!

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  7. hey Marydon,
    Just a note, hope that all is well. The type art is beautiful, I have seen before, but love seeing it.
    The girls say Hey, and hope that you are doing well.
    Love and Prayers,
    Lori and girls

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  8. Hi Marydon,

    I believed this art was created by using typewriter. I saw it before in Believe it or not. Amazing and really creative!

    Have A Nice Day My friend.

    by Jenny Malaysia.

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  9. I tried my hand at type writer art years ago when I was a girl. But I was complete rubbish in comparison.....

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  10. Hi Marydon, what an amazing artist and story. Thank you for sharing this unique art form. I love all the works you shared here.

    I am nearly done with your pumpkins. Just have a few more touches and I will let you know when finished.
    Blessings to you,
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  11. HI!!!
    Makes one appreciate how talented eveyone is, no matter what. This remarkable Man accomplished so much with so little. I never will complain about my carpel tunnel again!!!!
    Beautiful pics!!!
    hugs,
    jamie

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  12. Marydon, amazing...those are beautiful pics and what an inspiring story!

    Julia ♥

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  13. Really? A typewriter? How fantastic! Isn't it amazing the things we can accomplish if we put our minds to it. I'll go and see his other work, thanks for sharing this special story!

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  14. Oh. My. Word. What a blessing. Dare I ever complain again? Lord forgive me.
    Thank you for sharing this exquisite art form, Marydon.

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  15. Marydon that is amazing!
    It goes to prove that we can do anything we set our minds to!
    NO EXCUSES!!!!!!!

    Thank you for entering my give away!
    Good Luck
    Hugz,
    Dolly

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  16. How amazing. I never heard of this type of art. Just goes to prove we are only limited by what we think we can do. Thank you for sharing.

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  17. Breathtaking! Almost unbelievable! But of course, I believe you.

    Thank you for telling us of this amazing man.

    Aunt Amelia

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  18. Hi sweet Marydon!

    Oh my goodness....that is just amazing. I would never have known by looking at the photos. What a fabulous talent. I can draw stick figures....if I'm lucky....on a good day! :-)

    Wishing you a wonderful day...

    Hugs,
    Spencer

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  19. How Wonderful and amazing.
    Patsy

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  20. Fabulous story! My hubby has CP and will get a real kick out of this story. He took typing even though many thought he couldn't. He too uses just one finger. He is slow as molasses but was always so proud he makes no errors!
    Hugs,
    Dawn

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  21. Absolutely amazing!! We should cry when we feel tired or our back hurts or our feet hurt WOW those pictures are so humbling.

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  22. I'm siting here with my mouth open; totally speechless! What an incredible story and wonderful person; thanks for telling it and keeping it alive.

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  23. Go back on my Oct 10 post and see the butterfulies. I took pictures in the rain.
    Patsy

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  24. Hi Marydon,
    Thanks so much for this amazing post about an extraordinary man.
    We all have so many gifts and there is so many degrees of brillance and talent. This artist was a fine example of it.

    Hugs to you sweet friend!
    ~Lynn♥

    ~Let Freedom Ring!~

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  25. Hi Marydon,

    That is amazing and what a long time it must take to do.
    I loved the photo of you wearing your hat, going to church in the last post.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  26. I cant imagine how he did this wonderful art. Amazing man. Ive never heard about him. Thanks so much for making us all aware of him..Sally

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  27. That is really amazing! I can't believe someone could create those pictures from a typewriter! Incredible.
    Elle

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  28. These are incredible Marydon! I have never heard of this man and his story before.. I love his pictures of the trains, and that last one looks like it could be a picture of a cocker spaniel? (like MY dog!) ~tina

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  29. Morning, Marydon! Oh, this is a wonderful post! I have seen and heard of this man before but it's great to see and read it again.
    Thank you so much for your prayers for my daughter.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  30. It was an amazing and touching story! Thanks so much!
    Micki

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  31. That is absolutely amazing...Thank you for sharing that with us!

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  32. Nice post - fantasy art pictures ..Keep Posting


    Ron
    fantasy art pictures

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