1. Chuck Closeborn 1940 in WashingtonAmerican Photorealism

2. Master of the GRID Chuck Close uses a grid to draw PORTRAITS of his friends. A grid shows the artist where to “plot” facial features just like in math class. Some materials he uses are Oil paint Acrylic airbrushing Fingerprint ink Printmaking Papermaking Watercolor

6. “The Event” On December 7, 1988, he was rushed to the hospital with heart attack like symptoms. At first the doctors were confused but eventually they diagnosed a rare spinal artery collapse. This caused him to be paralyzed from the neck down. He spent months in rehab. He had to relearn how to sit up, move his arms, hold a paintbrush, etc. He is what is called a partial paraplegic. In rehab, he learned to paint on with a brush strapped onto his wrist with tape. He has no use of muscles in his hands or forearms and uses only his shoulder muscles to paint. Chuck Close says he would have never been able to overcome his disability if he had not learned discipline when overcoming his dyslexia in grade school.

13. Before you say “I can’t” Remember that we once thought that: The world was flat Humans couldn’t fly Earth was the center of the universe Ask yourself if there is anything stopping you from TRYING Take small steps in the right direction. As long as you are still going forward you will get there eventually.

14. Instructions You will need a piece of paper, a marker, and tape. Your task is to draw your neighbor with as much detail as possible… …with your marker taped to the back of your hand, and your other hand holding your elbow. You may NOT use your hands or bend at the elbow. Move your arm using only your shoulder muscles.