Welcome;
These pages are an effort to share achievements
resulting from a great deal of commitment, determination, and the gift of creative
thought. [ Also, many thanks to everyone who has chosen to add
themselves to the Association's
mailing list...
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Kristi & Dennis I've often referred to Kristi as "a guardian angel, sent to intervene in the wasting of a life"… I remember when we first got together,— we made a deal. Kristi would keep me alive, healthy, and presentable. As well as running our household, managing our assets and financial matters.— In fact, all of our daily responsibilities. I, on the other hand, would try to creatively find a way to generate an income from within our home that would be capable of comfortably supporting both of us long term. What a deal, what a team, thanks Kris… Click here to read, "Time and the Catalyst", a short story. |
Background info... As the result of a water-skiing accident in 1980, — Dennis A. Francesconi [then 17] was permanently paralyzed. Since then, through hard work, determination, and the support of his wife Kristi, Dennis is once again on the fast track and making things happen. It all started in 1989 when Dennis taught himself how to write using his mouth. It wasn't long before he began sketching to occupy his time. Despite his injury, Dennis attended college to obtain an Associate in Arts Degree— which he received a few years later with full honors including membership in Phi Theta Kappa [an International Honors Society], and inclusion on the National Dean's List. The demands of college didn't keep him from sketching, he continued and rapidly advanced to working with watercolors. In early 1993, he heard about the prestigious Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, Worldwide [AMFPA] and quickly submitted samples of his work for review. By late 1993, Dennis was accepted as a Student Member. Just 5 1/2 short years later, he had climbed the ranks to the much sought after Full Member position— which gave him the opportunity to remove himself from 19 years of public support. He didn't have to do that— with the multitude of [programs] that exist. But as he says, "I was never comfortable surviving on the taxes of other hard working people regardless of my condition. That simply is not my style." Dennis thrives on working with the Association. In an effort to educate the public and to help others, he constantly shares his story in Schools, and through various types of media including; newspapers, radio, television, and on the internet. All of these methods are important tools, but on the internet, specifically at www.sconi.com , Dennis has published an abundance of information about his work, the AMFPA, and their USA Publishers, the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Inc., in Atlanta [MFPA]. Dennis has participated in approximately 80 exhibitions to date. In the USA, his work has been seen at various group exhibits in cities such as; Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta. International exhibits thus far include; Vancouver BC, Vienna Austria, Sweden, Geneva Switzerland, the Peoples Republic of China, Great Britain, Sydney Australia, and Lisbon Portugal. His work has been published on various MFPA greeting cards, calendars, and gift wrap. And has also graced the covers of several books, on wine labels, and most notably as the 2008 California State Christmas Card selected by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver. Dennis is always willing to help others, quite simply, he adds, "Only after you've helped others in similar situations, do you truly begin to understand why all of this has happened in the first place."
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 Expressions of Time
is simply what he calls his work. It began in 1989 with a crude sketch, or
what's more commonly referred to as a doodle. Today, through dedication and
hard work, that crude sketch has evolved into rendered works of various
mediums which have been recognized by publishers around the world. These
efforts have enabled Dennis to live and work independently without any State or Federal aid.
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If you have any comments, or if you are a mouth or foot painter and would like contact information to the Association: E-mail me at, sconiart@earthlink.net
copyright 2000, Dennis A. Francesconi
Be
sure to see the
