An Okotoks artist with Asperger syndrome is using his work to help him get off social assistance while at the same time beautifying Okotoks businesses and homes.
“I decided I had enough of being on AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) and that kind of stuff,” said 27-year-old Nathan Lyons. “I wanted to earn money from my work.”
As a result, Lyons connected with life coach Wendy Holloway, through Community Futures about 15 months ago.
“Myself and my coach were trying to figure out how I could start my own business because I am an artist,” Lyons said. “I thought at first I would do window-painting but that would take a lot of time. So she suggested we make something like window stickers.”
Lyons has created ‘window clings’, in which he draws his work on an iPad, which is then printed on a decal, which can be stuck and removed from a window to be used again.
He can also do custom work for his clients.
“It’s for whatever your heart’s content,” Lyons said. “If people want different holiday themes, or something specific for your store or home.”
He said art helps him.
“I have Asperger’s — it is hard for a person to control experiences sometimes,” Lyons said. “For me, it is definitely hard. I can’t really talk to anyone as much, I can’t really speak out.
“The artwork helps me express what I want to say.”
Lyons attended Oilfields High School and later graduated from Education Plus in Okotoks. He recently completed an art certificate online program through Stratford Career Institute.
He is now developing his business, called Windavinci.
“We come up with strategies to be his best artist-self and to promote his business,” Holloway said. “We talk about bookkeeping, and almost by accident we came up with this idea (of window clings).
“It just seemed like a natural fit.”
His work is on display at some downtown stores, most prominently at A Very Delightful Boutique.
“She’s got my Christmas Carol one and Frosty the Snowman,” Lyons said.
Holloway said Lyons worked with A Very Delightful Boutique to determine what would look best on the clothing store’s windows.
Lyons’ mentor for his artwork is close to home, his mother.
“When I was a little kid I used to watch my mom do her art work,” Lyons said. “She is the one who encouraged me to do who work.
“I think her work is great.”
He recently completed a spectacular three-dimensional Christmas present for his mother.
However, not all of his work is for sale.
One of the pictures he did is a stunning cling.
Lovers United has his father and mother, who is still alive, united in a stain-glassed setting, giving it a church feel to it.
“My dad (Miles) passed and I thought this was a way for him not to be forgotten,” Lyons said.
Remembering is important to him.
Lyons created Remembrance Day window clings which he donated some of the proceeds to the Okotoks Royal Canadian Legion.
While Holloway is the coach, it turns out she’s being inspired as well.
“Nathan is such a beautiful soul,” Holloway said. “I find that he is very inspiring, I love that he doesn’t let Asperger’s be an excuse for him.
“He doesn’t want that to define who he is, but he’s also not afraid to tell people that he struggles with it.
“He encourages me all the time, that I can do whatever I want to do.”
Lyons’ long-term goal is to become a video game artist.
His work is available at Main Street Market and More on McRae Street.
For more information on Lyons’ work go to facebook.com/Windavinci-427873237747591/
