Quadriplegic Artist Finds Unique Way To Paint, Helps Disabled Children

Painters face many challenges.

Finding the right inspiration and deciding on a technique are just some obstacles they face.

Now, imagine being a painter who doesn’t have the use of your hands.

Marta Arenas is a quadriplegic painter who overcame incredible odds to pursue her artistic ambitions.

“I had an accident when I was 11 years old,” she said. The wreck left her partially paralyzed from the neck down.

At has always been an interest of Arenas’, but she never thought she could become a painter because of her limited mobility.

“I’d say ‘No, no. It would not be too easy for me to do that!'” she said.

A friend encouraged Arenas to try anyway. Now ,she goes to the Hobby Lobby in West El Paso for art lessons several times a week.

Her teacher Marta Rodriguez said it’s a blessing to have her as a student.

“Since the first class I knew that she could do it. I believed in her,” said Rodriguez.

Arenas first tried moving the brush through a tool attached to her arm, but said it was too difficult to maneuver. That’s when she came up with the idea to use her mouth instead.

Arenas, who is battling breast cancer, said she feels peace when she paints and puts her love into every piece.

“Thank you to ‘Papa Dios’ who sent her to my class,” said Rodriguez. She said Marta’s example blends the lines between teacher and student. “We have to take (her) example. (Nothing) is impossible to do, you can do whatever you want.”

Arenas’ work will be on display during an art show next month at the Santa Fe Plazita on Doniphan Drive. Her paintings will be for sale at 6 p.m. Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. with the proceeds going to “Ojos de Dios,” a home for special needs children in Ciudad Juarez.