Payne-ting picked for calendar

Matakana artist Martin Payne, who paints by holding the brush in his mouth, has had one of his paintings published in an international art calendar put out by The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA).

The calendar is part of MFPA’s annual Christmas range, which features cards, gift wrap, jigsaws and more, all decorated with art painted by its members who use their mouth or feet due to physical disability.

MFPA has 850 members in 84 countries throughout the world, including Martin.

In his landscape painting, entitled Painted Meadows, Martin said he was trying to highlight the highpoint of a gardener’s year when everything comes into flower at the same time.

“I like doing garden scenes and trying to capture them at the height of their splendour. I’d never been to this garden, it was a photograph I came across. I’m constantly looking for images online and my family and friends also send me images,” he said.

Martin started painting after he suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident in 1980 while he was working as a contract shearer, and learnt to paint holding a brush in his mouth.

He’s also been active in sport for many years, including playing wheelchair rugby.

MFPA’s range this year includes paintings by seven NZ artists who have once again painted above their weight to be successful against artists from so many countries. 

Founded in 1956 by a group of European artists, the MFPA is a self-help organisation that gives people with disabilities the opportunity to fulfil their creative ambitions while still maintaining financial independence by selectively selling their artworks.

The MFPA was established in New Zealand in 1961 and currently has 25 members nationwide.

The group earns income through the sale of products illustrated with their paintings, which started with Christmas cards and has grown to include a wide variety of products.

To become a student member, an artist must qualify by painting using a brush held in either their mouth or foot, having lost the use of their hands through an illness or accident.

Student members receive scholarships for art supplies and tuition.

To learn more about MFPA visit  https://www.mfpa.co.nz/