We were lucky to catch up with Brett Colonell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Brett thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

As time has passed, I must admit that I am happier as an artist. However, it wasn’t always easy to express this sentiment because I had always aspired to be a mechanical engineer. I managed to obtain my degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder, even after sustaining a spinal cord injury at the C4/C5 vertebrae level during my sophomore year.

The job market at the time was still recovering from the dot-com bust in 2001, and there were limited opportunities for entry-level engineers locally. Moreover, the work environment lacked the infrastructure and remote work capabilities that are now commonplace. Additionally, there was a perception of security risks associated with remote work because the concept was just getting started.

As the economy recovered, there was a surge in demand for entry-level engineers. However, knowing that I was no longer considered a recent graduate and that convincing companies to allow remote work would be challenging, I often felt frustrated. Fast forward two decades, I see a vastly different job market that would be more accommodating and offer more opportunities for a quadriplegic with a recent engineering degree.

Sometimes, I reflect on the hard work I put into continuing my college education after my spinal cord injury and the challenges I faced in finding employment at that time. I can’t help but wonder how much easier it might have been if the injury had occurred in today’s job market. Nevertheless, I try not to dwell on negative thoughts because they are unproductive.

In fact, setting the goal of obtaining my degree was instrumental in helping me navigate those initial years post-injury when so much of my life and the lives of my family changed.

Despite the challenges of accepting that my original career path didn’t unfold as planned, embracing my creative side has allowed me to form meaningful connections with people and organizations. This transformation has not only enriched my life but has also enabled me to creatively utilize my engineering knowledge in ways I never imagined. Ultimately, art has become my true calling, allowing me to contribute to society in a unique and personal way.

Brett, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’d always enjoyed working with my hands to create something from scratch, ever since I was a child. Whether it was a box full of scrap materials in the garage, lumber scraps in the backyard, or Legos, I loved letting my imagination run wild and playing while I built. Some of my creations were successful, while others weren’t, but that didn’t matter.

As I grew older, I became interested in learning how to make things instead of always buying them. However, after being paralyzed from the neck down, I was forced to rely heavily on assistive technology and adaptive equipment to perform most tasks. This took away many of the things I loved to do, especially the handmade aspect.

Many of my favorite activities and hobbies rely on human capability and athleticism, so I had no interest in pursuing them if I had to use so much assistive technology. I decided to pivot and find something that still relied on human craftsmanship and required skill to master.

This is where I discovered drawing and painting with a mouth stick. Artists typically use their fingers, wrist, elbow, and shoulder to draw and paint an entire piece. However, I didn’t have that ability, and the next best thing I could do was use a mouth stick, which I could bite on, with a brush or pencil taped to the end. I could then experiment on a paper surface in front of me.

I started by using a stylus attached to my mouth stick and drawing on an iPad to access multiple digital tools. However, I soon wanted to experiment more with traditional art mediums, so I worked my way into ink and brush, and next was watercolor. There’s something much more alluring about an original physical piece of art compared to a digital image.

Now, all of my paintings that I donate or sell are painted by me using a mouse stick, a brush, and either ink, watercolor, gouache, or oil. So far, most of my subjects have been realistic portraits and figurative paintings. I’ve only done a little bit of landscape and cityscape, but I’m trying to branch out into those as well.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Creating something that evokes deep emotional responses from others is incredibly rewarding. For instance, painting a portrait of someone’s family member or pet can have a profound impact when they see it for the first time. Initially, my goal was to just capture the likeness as best as I could to the reference that I was given, not yet realizing the significance of my paintings. However, after a while, I understood that the value of a painting someone requested or commissioned was far greater than I had anticipated or believed possible.

Another rewarding aspect is the opportunity to contribute to causes by donating paintings to organizations I support. I’ve also enjoyed painting live at fundraising events, interacting with attendees, and sharing my process and answering their questions. I’ve even received messages from fellow quadriplegics or their family members, who were curious about my setup and wanted to try it themselves or set up something for their loved ones.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My injury required a lot rehabilitation of my paralyzed body and learning how to manage it to re-enter society. Simultaneously, I remained resolute in completing my degree in engineering, a challenging endeavor for able-bodied individuals. I accomplished this feat but also had to rely on others for assistance and redefine my learning approach. Adaptive equipment significantly altered my thought and learning process, and one could say I had to relearn how to learn. I was forced to use constraints that others were not subjected to, yet I still managed to compete with my peers. Despite facing challenges and being unable to secure employment, my determination never wavered.

Instead, I continued to strive for societal contribution by earning my MBA, but unfortunately graduating during the 2007-2008 financial crisis. Throughout this period, I remained open to various professions that aligned with my qualifications and applied for diverse jobs, including teaching mathematics and science to high school students and performing basic entry-level work for various consulting companies. As the challenges intensified, I recognized the need to channel my creative side. Eventually, I discovered a path to art, fully embracing it and integrating my acquired knowledge to enhance my artistic expression. By understanding how to navigate the challenges of painting while paralyzed from the neck down, I found a way to contribute to society and strengthen my mental well-being.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brettcolonell.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brettcolonell
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brett.colonell
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@COLORDOKID

Image Credits

Lori McCurdy