Leuka Coffey demonstrates the mouth painting technique that has won him an international scholarship.
Photo / Bevan Conley
Leuka Coffey demonstrates the mouth painting technique that has won him an international scholarship.
Photo / Bevan Conley
Whanganui artist Leuka Coffey never imagined he would be painting again after he sustained a spinal injury in a trampoline accident four years ago.
Now 20, the former Cullinane College student was just shy of his 16th birthday and enjoying high school art studies when the accident occurred.
While hewas undergoing treatment at the Burwood Spinal Unit, he was visited by Christchurch artist Pat Edmonds who introduced him to the technique of mouth painting.
Edmonds was 23 when he became a tetraplegic after diving into a swimming pool and breaking his neck. He volunteers to visit patients in the spinal unit and share what he has learned from his own experiences.
"Once I became familiar with the process, I fell in love with it," says Leuka.
His inherent creative talent and determination earned him the international scholarship which will enable him to hone his skills and employ other artists to help take him to the next level.
A birch tree takes on rare beauty in one of Leuka Coffey's paintings.
Photo / Bevan Conley
Student members of MFPA receive a scholarship to help improve their standard of painting which provides them with the means to become an associate or full member of the association and as their work improves, the scholarship is increased.
When a student has reached a standard judged to be the equivalent of non-disabled professionals, associate or full membership is granted.
"I sent eight paintings to the MFPA judges in Switzerland and they were good enough to get me acceptance for the scholarship."
The terms of the scholarship mean Leuka cannot sell originals or copies of his work while he is a student.
"I do have some previous unsold work and they can be viewed on my Instagram page."
Leuka works in his sunny room at Fordell with a portable easel mounted on his wheelchair tray.
He has Bobo the cat and Ludo the dog for company while he paints and his caregiver is on hand to assist if needed.
"I own a roofing business with my dad and he is looking to install a studio we can share at the site."
Bobo gives a wink to the camera as he distracts owner Leuka Coffey from his painting.
Photo / Bevan Conley
The acrylic paintings in Leuka's room are mostly natural scenes which incorporate bold colour wash backgrounds with detailed brushwork in the foregrounds.
A windblown dandelion seed head stands out against a bright orange and yellow sunset and an underwater scene depicts brightly coloured corals and marine creatures.
"Some of them are painted from things I see while others are things I picture in my head.
"I layer the background colours and use a rag to spread them on the canvas, then let them dry before I do the brushwork."
He has not yet approached local artists for tuition but says he has some ideas.
In addition to his art, Leuka is a "rebellious and often aggressive" poker player, keen gamer and collector of cool tattoos and sports shoes.
