After a stray bullet left her paralyzed nearly 20 years ago, Morocco-born artist Mariam Paré learnt to paint with her mouth.
Paré underwent months of intense rehabilitation with her physical therapist, who taught her how to control a pencil using her mouth.
Determined not to let her accident derail her life-long dream of being an artist, she decided to master painting with her mouth. With hard work and the support of her family, she spent the next several years regaining and developing her skills.
Paré carved out a career as a “mouth painter”, and her paintings are exhibited in galleries and hung in private collections. She has also given motivational talks at institutions and conventions across the US.
Today Paré works from her home studio in Chicago, creating beautiful artworks that are a cross between traditional oil paintings and mixed media.
Check out some of her paintings below and view more at her website.
[via 22 Words, images via Mariam Paré Art & Design]