Art is the product of human creativity where in you can learn by study, practice and observation. For some people, it is a talent and a natural ability. Artists are people who show creative works and imagination.

Doug Landis makes art using the pencil, not with his hands, but with his mouth. Doug was paralyzed from the neck down during his high school wrestling match. His brother challenged him to a drawing contest, but he was encouraged to draw when he saw a sketch of a house on a Christmas card and thought to himself that he can do it as well. He copied the drawing until he himself developed a style of his own. His first images was the series called “Vanishing Breeds” The animal images he draw have a fading out style which he said represents the animals habitat being destroyed and the extinction of these animals.

Doug’s drawing can take from 40 hours to 200 hours depending on the size of the image he plans to draw. He uses his neck to move the pencil in his mouth. Doug also uses acrylic and watercolor paints for his arts.

His artwork’s has earned him awards from the exhibits and shows that he attended. He is also a member of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Association.

Here are some of his Vanishing Breeds collection (with Doug’s permission)

Most of the image are first created in Doug’s mind imagining them being drawn by his hands, which he cannot use in real life. Then, he would search for photos or videos where he could see the fur, the muscles, the beaks and most of all the eyes to help him start with the sketching.

 He graduated in Webster University with a degree in Media Studies and he also earned his masters in fine arts in Motion Graphics at California Institute of Arts, which was founded by Walt Disney. During his time at California Institute of Arts, he was able to make two short animated videos which were screened at the American Film Institute’s Film Festival.

“I believe every one of us has hidden talents that each person can find in themselves” Doug said. May Doug’s life encourage us that even with limitations, and he was able to do great things. To know more about Doug and purchase some of his artwork, you can visit his website www.mouthart.com