Fine Art 2

By Jolene Sharp, Chief Strategy Officer, TN Council on Developmental Disabilities
A miniature diorama of a flower shop with a brick wall interior, shelves filled with tiny vases and plants, and a wooden desk with a black telephone and books. A large, carnivorous plant with a red, toothy mouth and fuzzy green tentacle-like vines sits at the center, resembling Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors. A black curtain covers part of the back wall, and a clock hangs above it. The window displays the shop's name, partially readable as "Mushnik’s Flower Shop."
Thomas Golz, 21, is known for his detailed dioramas of Cookeville landmarks, including Cream City and Ralph’s Donuts. Through Small World Dioramas, he shares his work online, using his autism-driven focus to recreate businesses in stunning 1:24 and 1:48 scale.
A painted self-portrait of Jordan, a 38-year-old student at the Trousdale School. Jordan is depicted with short brown hair, a warm smile, and light skin. He is wearing a mustard-yellow shirt with a black headset or earbuds resting around his neck. The background is a deep, textured purple, adding contrast to his figure.
Jordan, 38, is a student at the Trousdale School who loves playing basketball in the gym. In his free time, he enjoys being an uncle to his niece, watching Wheel of Fortune, calling friends, listening to country music, and visiting Dollywood for roller coasters.
A vibrant abstract painting filled with intricate patterns and colorful shapes. The composition is dominated by clusters of circular and oval forms outlined in bold colors, including blue, red, orange, green, and purple. Some areas have a dense, almost mosaic-like texture, while others are more open, allowing contrasting colors to interact dynamically. The painting has an energetic, layered quality, with a mix of organic and geometric patterns creating a sense of movement and depth.
Bradley creates his works on thick paper, blending graphite, ink, and vibrant colors to depict dynamic cityscapes, machines, and superheroes. Inspired by stained glass and Nick Cave’s sound suits, his art radiates strength and resilience.
A handmade ceramic coaster that features a light blue glaze with earthy brown accents. At its center, a raised branching design resembling flames or a tree extends outward, with the unglazed ridges contrasting against the glossy surface. The edges of the coaster are slightly irregular, adding to its organic, handcrafted feel.
Louise, 75 years old, is a retired advocate from Oak Ridge. She has a rare neurological condition that affects her speech, writing, and mobility. She worked for 20 years in assistive technology advocacy and now enjoys taking pottery classes at the Oak Ridge Art Center.
A painting of a charming two-story house with a brown roof and beige walls, accented with white trim. The house features a covered front porch and a small balcony on the second floor with green shutters. A gray pathway leads up to the entrance, surrounded by lush green grass and bushes. There are trees on both sides of the house, with one on the right having oranges. The background consists of a bright blue sky.
Corwin, 17, is a young artist with Down syndrome who has been exploring various mediums through art lessons. He enjoys painting architecture but is always eager to experiment with new techniques.
A narrow, picturesque street lined with historic architecture and lush greenery. On the left, a large ochre-colored wall with a weathered stone column towers over the sidewalk, with tropical plants growing along its base. An old-fashioned lantern is mounted on the wall. On the right, colorful colonial-style buildings with wooden balconies and greenery draping over railings add charm to the scene. Two people walk down the street towards the distance, where more buildings and a parked vehicle are visible.
Nicholas is a 24-year-old artist and graduate of the East Tennessee University Access Program. He enjoys painting nature scenes, taking pictures, and spending time with his family, especially on vacations and holidays.
A surreal painting of a blue eye resembling a winter landscape. The iris appears as a frozen pond with white highlights suggesting ice, while the eyelashes resemble icicles hanging down. The upper and lower eyelids are lined with black silhouettes of evergreen trees, blending the eye into a snowy forest scene. A small orange sun or moon is positioned in the pale sky above, adding contrast to the cool color palette.
Stacy uses art to express emotions and thoughts that words cannot capture. After undergoing a hemispherectomy due to Rasmussen’s encephalitis, she found art to be a therapeutic outlet, offering insight into how she processes the world.
A symmetrical, colorful painting of fruits and vegetables geometrically on a black background. It features watermelon halves, cherries, carrots, mushrooms, green grapes, and small yellow bananas, all outlined in bold lines. The artwork has a bold, outlined style with a decorative border in red, yellow, and black. The artist's signature and the year "2024" are visible in the bottom right corner.
Grant is an artist and illustrator known for his bold lines and vibrant colors, reminiscent of Keith Haring. He draws inspiration from Pop Art, often depicting everyday objects, food, and expressive faces.
A realistic colored pencil drawing of a hummingbird in mid-flight against a plain white background. The bird has vibrant green feathers, a bright orange patch on its throat, and a white underbelly. Its wings are spread wide, showing detailed shading and texture. The long, slender beak extends forward, and its small black eye adds a lifelike touch. Below the hummingbird is the artist’s signature.
Emma Rose Sanders is a 7th-grade student at Evangelical Christian School who enjoys exploring various art mediums, with a special love for watercolor and pencil. When not creating art, she plays soccer for her club team and practices aerial silk.
An abstract digital illustration features irregular, interconnected shapes outlined in soft brown against a pale yellow background. The shapes are filled with pastel colors, including pink, green, blue, purple, and orange. Some areas have sharper, jagged edges, while others flow more smoothly. The composition has a balanced and organic feel, resembling a stylized, puzzle-like design with a complementary color palette.
Eva is a teen artist who has been drawing since she could hold a crayon. She believes her autism helps her notice details and patterns, enhancing her monochromatic sketches and digital artwork.
A serene lakeside scene shows a pair of bare feet in the foreground, resting above the calm water of Tims Ford Lake. The lake reflects the surrounding landscape of leafless trees, evergreens, and rocky shoreline, creating a near-perfect mirror image. The sky is clear and blue, with sunlight casting a warm glow on the trees and rocks. A small wooden dock is visible in the distance.
Hannah is an autistic artist who has proudly displayed two pieces at the Frist Museum. She finds art a powerful way to express herself and is actively involved in the local artistic community as a member of AbleVoices. “My photography has helped me make friends and explore beautiful Tennessee.”