BRUSH IN MOUTH

Leanne Beetham’s work is surprising. But what makes her art truly exceptional is that her paintings are all done with a brush that she holds in her mouth. Since birth the girl has been unable to use her arms or legs, but her talent and enthusiasm have allowed her to become a successful artist. Leanne was born with a serious genetic disease. The prospect was so depressing that her mother could not learn to live with it. However, she didn’t want to put the baby up for adoption, so eventually, she gave Leanne’s grandparents the right to look after Leanne. Despite her young age, Leanne’s work has already been shown at the Royal Academy of Arts. Last week one of her paintings was sold at Christie’s auction house in London. Leanne was the youngest artist in the auction, which was organised to raise funds for the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation for endangered wildlife. When Leanne was two, she began drawing with a pencil in her mouth. Her talent was discovered at the age of 13 when she painted a reindeer on a school Christmas card. It was even published in the local newspaper. As a 19-year-old she says: “I was able to hold a pen in my mouth quite naturally. I started drawing before I started writing. I paint because I like it. Although many people say I am very talented, I have never thought about myself in this way. I don’t want to impress anybody or win a competition, but to feel better. It’s something I do without thinking and I can’t imagine my life without it.” Her talent brought her to the attention of a famous landscape artist, Shepherd, who occasionally paints flowers. And crime writer Frederick Forsyth is also among the people who admire her enthusiasm for portraying elephants, horses and dogs. This famous writer, who has a large collection of portraits, came to the gallery and saw three of her pictures on sale for £250. He sent her a note, with a four-figure cheque for each one, telling her she was underselling her talent. Leanne’s artistic talent shows her attitude to life. “If you say I can’t do something, I’ll go out of my way to prove you wrong,” she said.