Title: "sketch-Time's a Tickin'" Medium: Graphite on paper copyright Bjlane The Journey continues . . . Today is the day. Life moves forward . . . Life is a preparation for the future; and the best preparation for the future is to live as if there were none. Albert Einstein NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT AUTISM ? CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CENTERS: National Autism Association Autism Society Autism Speaks The Arc-Autism Now Autism Network-Valeries List (So. Cal) Art created especially f

Title: "Make a wish" Medium: Acrylic and Oil on canvas copyright Bjlane The Journey continues . . . Featured here ... the birthday party, and family portrait. This is a section of a diptych painting (2 of 2) and is a reflection of history. It symbolizes a celebration of time passing, and a silent, hopeful wish for the future. Friends and family gather at the 10th birthday celebration. The happy birthday song has been sung. The birthday girl with autism tips her head, watchi

Title: Putting the Pieces together Medium: Acrylic and mixed medium on wood created by Bjlane The Journey continues . . . Do you love puzzles? I remember a scene from my childhood (before the days of computers, cell phones and iPads). The flimsy card table sitting in the corner with little colorful pieces spread unevenly over the surface. The adults in the family headed there after dinner to join in conversation. Even the children were invited to partake in the starting event

Title: My Secret Recipe Medium: Photo Collage The Journey continues . . . Through the past 25 years I have learned what I feel is the most important lesson of life. It defines a basic rule I need to follow in order to be my best. As a mother with a daughter who has had Autism from birth, this simple rule helps keep me calm, aware, and focused on my journey. Following or not following this basic rule can mean my success or failure, yet I still need daily reminders to follow it

Title: "In a wink of an eye" Medium: Oil on canvas ©Bjlane Joy and sadness, success and failure are all part of the human experience. And how do I greet this day? With eyes wide open, I greet this day with love in my heart. This piece depicts my autistic daughter in different stages of her life. The colors are symbolic as she passes through the pink tones of childhood innocence, the colors of curiosity, and the juxtaposed colors of adolescent conflict. As she becomes an adult

Title: Tammy's Art Medium: crayon, ink and watercolor on paper ©BjlaneArtGallery created by Tammy The Journey continues . . . On this day 26 years ago, a child was born. A beautiful child–– the rhythm of her growth, unique. She changed my life. She has filled my heart with love and purpose and taught me about myself. She has given me a precious gift. I am her mother. Depicted here is Tammy's Art. Colorful, with movement and energy, it offers a glimpse of her personal journey.

Title: "sculptures of Tammy" Medium: Ceramic ©Bjlane The Journey continues . . . Even though I am a mother of a daughter with Autism, and have observed, supported and been connected with Autism for over 25 years, I am still learning about my daughter's behaviors, challenges and gifts. But mostly I am learning about myself. This collection of small sculptures were created during a difficult time in our life together. The beginning of puberty, the growing pains of adolescence,

Title: "sketch-growing up" Medium: Watercolor on paper ©Bjlane The Journey continues . . . When my older children were growing up, I couldn't help but bring out pens, watercolors, and clay to catch them at play. In this quick watercolor sketch, I captured Tammy's sweet young face. One eye slightly off to the side, her head still larger than her tiny body, her focus on activity. Love does not see with the eyes, but with the soul. William Shakespeare Why is it so hard for some

Title: Upside-Down and Backwards Medium: chalk and pastel on pavement copyright Bjlane The Journey continues . . . Sometimes my life seems turned upside-down and backwards. The pieces just don't seem to fit. Even when I try to unravel the problems that arise, it seems there are roadblocks and stop signs. In this chalk art piece I created a visual icon of the upside-down and backward world that I have experienced with my own autistic daughter. This boy (a friend's autistic so

Title: "In a wink of an eye" Medium: Oil on canvas ©Bjlane The Journey continues . . . This piece depicts my autistic daughter in different stages of her life. The colors are symbolic as she passes through the pink tones of childhood innocence, the colors of curiosity, and the juxtaposed colors of adolescent conflict. As she becomes an adult the colors are rich. Her demeanor is now more calm, with a faint hint of a smile. Her growth is evident. Her expression is meaningful.

Title: sketchbook-Beauty in her eyes Medium: Graphite on paper ©Bjlane The Journey continues . . . For Tammy, my daughter with Autism, adolescence was not an easy journey. Other girls her age were focused on fitting in. They were trying to manage friendships, relationships, and push boundaries with both their peers and parents. Just like those of us who have passed through this journey in our lives, other teens Tammy's age were simply trying to mature and find themselves. Cha

Title: "sketch-Time's a Tickin'" Medium: Graphite on paper copyright Bjlane The Journey continues . . . Today is the day. Life moves forward . . . Life is a preparation for the future; and the best preparation for the future is to live as if there were none. Albert Einstein NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT AUTISM ? CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CENTERS: National Autism Association Autism Society Autism Speaks The Arc-Autism Now Autism Network-Valeries List (So. Cal) Question of the day: Is

Title: "Make a wish" Medium: Acrylic and Oil on canvas copyright Bjlane The Journey continues . . . Featured here ... the birthday party, and family portrait. This is a section of a diptych painting (2 of 2) and is a reflection of history. It symbolizes a celebration of time passing, and a silent, hopeful wish for the future. Friends and family gather at the 10th birthday celebration. The happy birthday song has been sung. My autistic daughter tips her head, watching the fli

Title: Putting the Pieces together Medium: Acrylic and mixed medium on wood created by Bjlane The Journey continues . . . Do you love puzzles? I remember a scene from my childhood (before the days of computers, cell phones and iPads). The flimsy card table sitting in the corner with little colorful pieces spread unevenly over the surface. The adults in the family headed there after dinner to join in conversation. Even the children were invited to partake in the starting event

Title: My Secret Recipe Medium: Photo Collage The Journey continues . . . Through the past 25 years I have learned what I feel is the most important lesson of life. It defines a basic rule I need to follow in order to be my best. As a mother with a daughter who has had Autism from birth, this simple rule helps keep me calm, aware, and focused on my journey. Following or not following this basic rule can mean my success or failure, yet I still need daily reminders to follow it

Title: "Riding High" Medium: oil on canvas size: 24"x72" ©Bjlane The Journey continues . . . This painting was inspired by Equine Therapy. We were lucky to find a horse vaulting group who included special needs children and adults in their program. The calming effect of horses and nature fit perfectly into our life, and gave us moments of joy together. Helping our children identify their own strengths, exposing them to opportunities and helping them learn and grow is the prim

Title: "The Unfinished Piece"" Medium: oil on Paper ©Bjlane And the Journey continues . . . Depicted here, an unfinished sketch of Tammy. It only seemed right to dress her in a swim suit and place one of her favorite activities beside her ... the bucket and shovel. Add some water, and the sandbox was her favorite place. Distracted briefly by the photographer's camera, her beautiful eyes were only shared with the camera lens. She would not look directly at those humans around

Title: "Meet the Mother" - Self Portrait Medium: Charcoal on Paper ©Bjlane The Journey continues . . . Depicted here as a toddler, my own journey began during the 1950's. From the moment of autism's discovery in the early 1900's people started searching for a cause. In the 50s, psychologists thought they found one - the child's mother. Labeled "refrigerator mothers" these women were accused of having caused their child's autism by witholding affection (being "cold") at a crit

Title: "Time's A Ticking"" Medium: ink and Graphite on Paper Size: 18"x24" ©Bjlane The early years . . . Time passes by, and life is full. In this piece, you see Tammy's two older siblings actively partaking in home making chores. The color of excitement is in the air. Dishes are washed, party trays are prepared, and visitors are expected to arrive soon. The busy mother reflects the many roles she plays, as she is portrayed in four different poses . . . cleaning, serving, in

Title: "Smell the Daisies" Medium: Acrylic and Oil Pastel on Canvas Panel Size: 18"x24" ©Bjlane Meet my daughter: Tammy Diagnosis: "Autism with Developmental Delays" Born the last of three children, I sensed from the beginning Tammy was different. She had a different cry. Her voice was not developing. She didn't mimic facial expressions. Her body development wasn't following the same pattern as my other children. She wouldn't look at me, or respond to my gifts of tender mothe