Jennifer Grodt

I am a disabled artist who signs all of my work with the name Nena. I have been an artist all of my life. As a young child art was a way to pass the time. This time passing pleasure turned into a hobby when I was a young teen. When I entered adult hood art became a passion. In 2006 I recieved  the ‘Best of Show’ award from Georgia Artists with Disabilities Exhibit and  the ‘Honorable Mention’ award from Georgia Artists with Disabilities Exhibition. In 2003 I received a Proclamation from Texas’s Governor Perry for my accomplishments with my art work and its  Involvement with disabilities.  2002   My painting was chosen for the national 2002  NDEAM poster by the Texas Governors Committee on  People with Disabilities. One of my paintings was chosen as for the postcard/invitational for the Follow the Dream event hosted by VSA arts of Texas. In 2000-2002: Won a sponsored art show tour through Texas by Austin Art Access. I became physically disabled a few years ago art was no longer just a passion of mine but a way of life. I hold a bachelors in art history, concentrating on Byzantium, and I have the hopes of one day teaching art to future disabled artists. I am an artist of various mediums and I am disabled in various ways. My struggles, fears, passion, and dreams are all expressed in my work and are a product of my life. My portraits are very realistic in style. They represent the control I desire to have over my disabilities. My paintings are opposite in style. The abstract methods I use in my paintings represent the freedom of all my emotions in dealing with my disabilities.  I could not be the artist I am today with out my disabilities for it feeds my artistic hunger. I have multiple learning disabilities, hearing loss, and I am a brain tumor survivor. My strength to deal with my disabilities is nourished by my artistic outlet. I believe that being disabled is being an artist being an artist is being disabled.