The Cover of Making a Difference Features an Original Painting by a Young & Talented Local Artist
Jonathan Hayes is an 11-year-old local artist with an extraordinary talent . The following picture is the cover of the Making a Difference winter edition and features an original painting by Jonathan. Jonathan uses his art as a means to communicate his thoughts, and he also writes in a journal to share his feelings and where his inspiration comes from. Jonathan and his mother, LaWanda Hayes, also wrote an article for our Straight Talk section of the magazine that sheds light on his wonderful talent.
- Jonathan & LaWanda Hayes
*The following is an excerpt from Jonathan Hayes’ journal sharing his feelings and where his inspiration comes from.
I Do Know… but I Don’t
I was born in St. Louis, Missouri September 20, 2000 and moved to Georgia with my mom and two Chinese chow-chows when I was 1 years old. I live in Smyrna, Georgia.
Sometimes I have a question mark on my brain. I have a lot to say in my head but my words won’t come out because my mouth is broken. My tongue will not listen to me and follow directions. It slides out of my mouth and I don’t understand why this happens. I get frustrated and stress out because my words won’t come out. It’s hard to hold a conversation because I’m unable to talk clearly and sometimes people ask me why I talk like that because I sound and talk funny.
I can build and draw cool city buildings, skylines and infrastructures with my Kinex toys, Legos and Uber Sticks. I build the Westin round tower; the King and Queen Towers, Bank of America Plaza, Lenox Square Mall, other buildings and skyscrapers in Atlanta.
I love painting animals, birds and tropical forests because it’s beautiful with different flowers, trees, green leaves and vines. I see bright colors that make me feel happy and excited like going on a tropical adventure. God told me to do something which is to build, draw and paint. This is why I love to draw and paint.
I do know that I can write, build things and draw really well. I can do a lot of stuff the other kids can’t. I can do fourth and fifth grade multiplication and division when I was in the third grade. I like to read books and I can write well. I have really nice hand and cursive writing; and none of the other kids can write like me when I was in third grade.
When I’m a man, I’m going to be an Architectural Engineer. I will own a construction company because I’m going to build infrastructures and cul-de-sacs for the city and neighborhoods like ‘Handy-Mandy’. When I grow up, I’ll be a teacher; a man and I’m going to be a father! I can do a lot of things but I really want to talk like all of the other kids. I have a lot of friends and no one makes fun, teases or is mean to me.
Everyone says that I’m very polite, sweet, handsome and kind. One day people will understand me…I have Autism. Together we can…help the world to understand each other better.
- by Jonathan Hayes
My 11-year-old son, Jonathan has a wonderful gift of art. Jonathan also has autism and often uses his art as a means to communicate his thoughts on things of interest to him. Once he has sketched/painted a piece, he's able to express what motivated him, or why certain colors, buildings and landscapes were used. Jonathan did his first watercolor piece in March 2011 and began using acrylics on canvas in July. Since beginning his short art career, he has won several awards and been recognized numerous times. Jonathan typically devotes three to four hours each day sketching and 45 minutes to an hour painting. He understands he has an incredible gift that everyone is proud of, but unlike most kids he’s humble, and he doesn’t really want to stay focused on himself for too long. Only time will tell if this is a talent he will pursue in the future, but for now art and writing are tools for him to express his thoughts and feelings.
- Lawanda Hayes
