~Robert Sheer~

“I started drawing as therapy. It has helped me to arrive at a place in my mind where Autoimmune Encephalitis doesn’t exist.” Robert could only draw stick figures prior to his anti-NMDAr encephalitis diagnosis. His neurologist, Dr. Rae-Grant, refers to his advanced artistic abilities as ‘an awakening’. He has had no formal training. His artistic ability surfaced while working on an adult coloring page. Each year he has shared his gift to raise awareness of AE. View past shows to see more of his work. 

~Mendie Sue Milam, RN ~

“People affected with AE often feel they have a noose around their necks day in and day out. Warriors overcome. Even though this warrior has a noose around her neck, she still has her spear drawn and is ready to fight. You will notice, the rope is attached to the spear. This is demonstrating that sometimes when you fight, it may feel like the noose is getting tighter. Eventually that rope will break and you will break free! No matter what comes against you in this life, a warrior keeps fighting. You have this! God will give you strength to keep fighting. Keep your faith!“

~Grace Flynn~
17 yr. old AE Warrior

MOMO (dog) picture dedicated to Uncle Dan. (Click > through to view complete collection).

~Mari Wagner Davis~

Mari began writing as a form of personal therapy to work through her feelings about her AE, the journey it has taken her on, and learning to appreciate ‘The New Me’. She has discovered a talent she was unaware of and creates inspirational prose that she shares with the AE community.

(Click > through to view complete collection).

~Celia Fermon~

“My age is 52, and I live in Mexico. This art was made by me to try to make awareness for this terrible illness. I have been fighting since 2012 with AE, a difficult road but still alive and loving life.” 

(Click > through to view complete collection).

~Luz Neira Álvarez Ortíz~

The wind caressed your face in the freedom, flying was your passion, not just living every day for 12 years, but imbuing passion in your brush strokes, mixing colors was your entertainment, how can you not reminisce about fulfilling the limits of your imagination, you created more than a surprising image. Keeping your body constantly in motion freed ideas, you visited new and beautiful paths, constantly envisioning and planning but….
Little dove from a thousand and one stories…. who interrupted your path? I don’t often see your amazing characteristics anymore. I have been waiting for a long time for your visits, your song, your magical touch on the paper when you flap your wings. I’m tired of waiting and you have not returned. In my dreams I hear your singing, sad and confused but faint. In your stead someone else has arrived. It looks like you, but I look, and I look again and question if it’s you. And if it is you, you have come back hurt, hard to recognize and with a white feather on your head. Suddenly, I could see in your eyes a flame and I could see how your brain was engulfed by it. What is happening? I asked. I hugged you and I could enter an unknown world. I could see how you ran, and the fear took over you. I could see how your heartbeat desperately and all your organs were affected. You wanted to be in control of everything, but it was impossible. The uncontrollable movements did not leave you alone for a second. Everything was different. I could see how your shaking made it so that your color mixes and brush strokes went the opposite direction than what you desired. Your emotions were confusing, but no more description is necessary. Just by looking at you I could see how you fought so many obstacles trying to fight for yourself, but you couldn’t. I started to try to understand what you were going through but it was hard. Even through the unknown, I vowed to help you out of this situation. I looked at one of your legs, stiff and rigid. I tried to move them, and I found a two letter message, A.E. It can’t be! That was my reaction, but I wasn´t afraid. When I finally understood it’s meaning, I understood your reality. Since that moment, I haven’t stopped fighting for you. I sheltered you with my faith and I declared with the love of a mother that the giver of your life you re-create each part of you. It would take some time, but so it has been.
I’ve flown with you to different places with hope. You have endured painful situations, but I see your scars starting to heal.
Today, I can see how my little giant, with scars all over your body and brain, has re-learned everything again. To me, this is not an obstacle but an opportunity to do it again, and better than the first time.
You get up and have problems walking. Sometimes you hurt yourself again, but we help you get back on your feet. Today, I see in your feathers, hopes, dreams, courage, strength, and desire to live.
You are the paint for those that need art in their life. Your experience becomes the path to understanding for the new birds following you. Your strength motivates those that need it the most. Your life shows the entire world that there is no limit for human beings. It shows that starting again is an opportunity, that our differences are what makes us unique, that our weaknesses become strengths.
Strength! We are not alone. We are the best warriors and protagonists in this unknown world.

~View 2021 Art Show~

~View 2020 Art Show~