(Cushing, Okla.) Fresh from this year’s Festival in the Park, spray paint artist Trevor Aycox was the special guest at this week’s Rotary meeting. Trevor was invited by Rotarian of the Day, Willetta Smith.
Trevor was new to this year’s Festival in the Park list of artists, however his ties to Cushing run deep. His grandmother – and travel partner – is Sherry Smith (CHS class of 1969) and his great uncle is Larry Smith.
Trevor had several paintings on hand to show Rotarians examples of what he can do with a few cans of spray paint, lids from cans and some crumpled up yellow pages. But better yet, he gave a live demonstration of the process – from beginning to end – and it took less than 10 minutes.
(Click to see video of the demonstration:https://www.youtube.com/user/1600KUSH#p/a/u/0/EMCPCLlUUPc )
Trevor first became interested in spray paint art when he saw a spray paint artist working when he was 12. “We couldn’t get him to leave,” his grandmother said. “He was so interested.”
Since then Trevor has had only nine lessons, but has become a bit renown for his art, showing in Hollywood, Soho and The Hamptons. He’s even been published in the book – Artism – the Art of Autism.
Trevor was diagnosed several years ago with what is known as Asperger’s Syndrome – a high functioning form of autism.
“We knew something was different when he was about two years old,” his grandmother said. “I would dump one of those little wooden puzzles out and he would point to the piece – looking only at the brown side – and then point to where it went. That wasn’t ‘normal’.”
Trevor still has an amazing memory – not quite a photographic memory, but close. He admits to “seeing” the finished painting before beginning and when doing a demo, he will only do one he’s done before.
“I tried doing a new one once – I’ll never do that again,” Trevor said.
Trevor lives in Ardmore, OK and likes sharing his unique art with others by participating in art shows.
Although there are many possible symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome, the most common symptom is significant trouble with social situations. Other symptoms may include:
*Not picking up on social cues – ie: reading body language in others
* Dislike in any changes in routines* Appear to lack empathy
* Avoiding eye contact
* Formal style of speaking
* An inability to recognize subtle differences in speech tone – may take sarcastic comments literally
* Preoccupation with only one or few interests which he or she may be very knowledgeable about.
* Heightened sensitivity
* Historical figures who had symptoms of Asperger’s include: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Albert Einstein, Marie Cure and Thomas Jefferson.
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