Artist With Autism Earns Recognition

Timothy (Tim) Blackwell is twenty-five years old and is an artist who has autism. Since he was little, he has enjoyed drawing and creating art. His work was recently recognized by The Awesome Company (TAC) when he entered their design contest. They not only purchased four of Tim’s designs that he submitted to the contest, but they also offered him a paid freelance designer position. He will continue to receive a percentage of each shirt sold with his art on it.

“I’m very happy about winning. I finally feel like I’m being recognized (for my art),” Blackwell said. “I was smiling all over. I literally couldn’t stop smiling.”

Blackwell’s family is also thrilled to see his work acknowledged. “I’ve kept copies of all his drawings through the years. I’m so glad he has made these connections. We are very proud of him,” Rebecca Blackwell, Tim’s mom, said.

The Awesome Company CEO Jacquie Mahan held the autism art contest specifically so she could reconnect with Blackwell. She had met him a couple of years ago and remembered him, his art and that he called his drawings humanoids but had lost contact with him. “I’m a big fan of his! He is a respected artist. I’m excited that others can now buy his wearable art.”

When Mahan started the contest, she reached out to Angela Bellin, MAX coaching specialist at Boundless, to help spread the word. The Awesome Company already employs three other adults from the Boundless program.

Bellin shared the contest with Blackwell, and he decided to enter a few new pieces of his work. Mahan immediately recognized Blackwell’s art style. It was exactly what she had hoped to find in the contest submissions. “We immediately heard back from the CEO at TAC who was screaming with excitement. We entered his designs on a Friday, and she called me personally Monday at 8 a.m.,” Bellin said. “That is what our MAX coaching program is all about. It helps young adults make connections and then assists them in building healthy relationships.”

Blackwell enjoys both freehand and digital drawing. In most of his artwork he likes to draw faces on inanimate objects that show the emotions they are feeling. One of the designs he submitted for the contest was called dishwasher man.

“Drawing doesn’t take me long. I just have to find inspiration from various sources,” Blackwell said. He said he likes to look at TV shows, books, and mythology to get ideas.

Blackwell has been coming to the Boundless BEST peer mentoring program for nearly a year and he recently joined the MAX program where he met Bellin. The goal of Boundless peer mentoring and MAX coaching is to support young adults into self-sufficiency by helping them navigate the world once all the supports of education have ended.   

“Coming to Boundless has helped me learn to be a better person,” Blackwell said.

Mahan has an art degree and previously owned Mahan Gallery for many years. Several years after her son was diagnosed with autism, she started TAC, which is a screen printing and design studio centered around employing adults with autism.

“My experience with my son’s autism diagnosis, navigating that process, I discovered that little to no employment opportunities were available to autistic people after they aged out of the system at 22 years old. I started The Awesome Company to help provide employment and empowerment for autistic adults that may not fit into the typical work situation,” Mahan said.

Blackwell’s art will be available soon on TAC website The Awesome Company.

Mahan reached out to a long-time friend and artist, Adam Brouilette, who used to show his art in the Mahan Gallery. She shared Blackwell’s art with Brouilette and he has officially offered Blackwell a solo art show at Blockfort Gallery next April, which is Autism Acceptance Month.

If you or a loved one is interested in learning more about the Boundless MAX program contact Angela Bellin at abellin@Iamboundless.org and for peer mentoring contact Kelli James at kjames@iamboundless.org.