My name is Jacob R. Crosby-English, and I'm a 15-year experienced artist, with Asperger's Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism. I discovered I had autism when I was only four (in '98), the same time I discovered my artistic talent. Throughout years my artistic skills were developing and improving. Many people doubted that I'd finish school and go to college. From 3rd up to 10th grade, I was ridiculed and ignored a lot because of my autism, my art was criticized. I have used art as my expressive tool to describe me. Art is the language to my Autism. Art is my body, heart, soul and spirit. It is what keeps me strong and what keeps the spirit of Being Artistic & Autistic to continue. Throughout 11th grade up to now, I have been lucky to have inspiration and motivation from teachers that understand and accept me. I want to thank Mr. Barner, Ms. Professor Coco, Ms. Emord, Mr. Martin, Mr. McCabe, Ms. O'Brien, Ms. Richards, Ms. Professor White and more that I will meet soon at MassART. I'm going to MassART by 2014 or 2015, it was my dream school. Luckily, with the power of my artistic and autistic skills, I was able to be accepted into MassART. I told myself what was once a dream, became a reality. My Autism has not only been a diagnosis, it has been a gift as well as my art, these two elements are what make me, and make many others out there who are artistic and autistic. The drawing you see is my award-winning piece, one out of seventeen pieces in my portfolio, that got me accepted to MassART. My Dad, Mom, Nana and my brothers and sister are there for me, as I am for them. My Mom deserves another thank you from me because she's the reason why I am who I am, to why I stand where I stand, and built me up to be artistic and autistic. Love your parents, love your family, love your skills, talents, hobbies and love you, no matter what you have.
Stay Groovy,
Jacob R. Crosby-English
Brockton, MA
