A life recreated after tragedy

At the age of 25, William Flewellen Heard had plans to go into furniture production.

He was in his last year at Mississippi State in March 2000 when his plans changed.

Heard was a passenger in the back seat of a car that day in Tupelo, Miss., when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it hit a tree. Heard was left a paraplegic.

He went through a period of heavy drinking, a suicide attempt and hospitalization after the accident. Instead of a furniture producer, Heard is now a successful self-taught artist who teaches others with disabilities what he has learned.

Heard admits that the road to his current success was not easy. He returned to college to complete his degree after his accident, but has never used it.

Heard paints from his studio, which is just steps from his home, where he also holds art classes, teaches and hosts other teaching artists.

It was while he was hospitalized that a paint brush was first taped to his hand. These days, however, Heard creates his works of art not with a brush, but with a spoon.

He happened upon his technique by accident as he watched a TV special on the artist Jackson Pollock. He watched as designs were created by slinging paint with a spoon.

Heard can’t hold a spoon normally in his hand. He underwent surgery to permanently close his fingers at an angle so that he can hold a Styrofoam ball, in which he inserts the handle of a spoon.

With his spoon and dripping paint technique, Heard creates his masterpieces on canvas. He paints frogs, cats, a lot of butterflies, and even profiles. Each piece takes a couple of weeks to complete.

“I like to paint butterflies because of all the colors, and they symbolize hope rebirth and new beginnings,” he said. “I almost died several times.”

“I love painting,” he said. “It’s very fulfilling.”

He also serves on the state board of an organization in Mississippi called L.I.F.E. -- Living Independence For Everyone, and serves as a peer supporter for the organization.

“It helps folks with disabilities,” he explained.

Heard has participated in group shows in Tupelo area, New Orleans and North Carolina, but the only gallery to represent him is Eileen West Gallery in Seaside’s Ruskin Place.

The gallery is featuring Heard’s work in a solo show during the month of August.