NOT BAD FOR FIRST ATTEMPT
JOSH Manning’s struggle with level 2 autism has not stopped him from producing an incredible drawing in his first serious attempt at art.
Mr Manning, of Varsity Lakes, said he decided to draw a Kenyan world champion marathon runner after starting lessons with a local artist, Zoe Leary.
“Eluid Kipchoge is my favourite runner,” he said. “The photo I drew from was taken about 15 seconds after he had taken out the world record. He’s hugging his coach Patrick Sang.”
Mr Kipchoge set a world marathon record of
2hr 01min 39sec at the 2018 Berlin Marathon and
Mr Manning’s drawing captures his emotion, exhaustion and relief.
It’s so true to life that his mum, Christine, and Miss Leary were both blown away.
Mr Manning said he was even shocked by what he had accomplished. “I had never drawn a person before. I didn’t know I would pick it up so fast,” he said.
The 22-year-old has always liked drawing but his mum said she had no idea of his talent – until early last year, when he decided to use his National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding to get lessons from Miss Leary.
“We started working on very basic outlines and within two weeks, he was saying, ‘Let’s try something harder’,” Miss Leary said.
“We’re working on what is called hyperrealism and within a year, Josh’s skills have progressed so quickly to what you see now.”
Mr Manning’s decision to draw Mr Kipchoge was a natural progression from his other love: long-distance running.
He runs regularly with The Rat Pack, a community running group started by former rugby league and union international Mat Rogers and in November last year he won the Mateship Run in Currumbin.
“I also recently won a 5km run to raise money on Remembrance Day for young veterans,” he said. “I came in at 16 minutes and 27 seconds, which is my new personal best.
“My next race is the Gold Coast 50 where I will be running 25km. My big goal is to represent Australia at an international level.”
He also wants to find a part-time job.
His mum said the NDIS funding had helped her son make vital connections.
“His goals were to become more independent and to learn to work with people other than his mum and dad,” she said. “The fact that he now has other people coming into his life is fantastic. He has Zoe to do art with, Tanya, his support worker, and the running group.
“He’s never had these connections before.
“We would love him to get him out in the community, to have some adventures, to maybe take a few risks.”
People with level 2 autism often show marked deficits in verbal and non-verbal social communication skills and social impairments. They are also limited in starting social interactions; and have reduced or abnormal responses to social overtures from others.