SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? A pen and a piece of paper unleashed the artist inside Logan Huggins.
Before he was able to talk, Logan was drawing pictures of animals, trees and everything around him. Autism made it difficult for him to communicate with his parents, but art was the key that unlocked the door.
He started drawing by age 3, and his life changed dramatically. Now at age 20, the S.C. School for the Deaf and the Blind student continues to draw with passion.
His portfolio includes an abstract chicken, an impressionist-style painting, cartoons and more.
"His work is the awesome of autism," said Suzi Burnett, Logan's former art teacher. "Look at the perspective in his work. It is very detail-oriented. I have never had a student who could do details like Logan."
During a recent visit to his house in Pauline, Logan proudly showed off some of his work. He has created characters from "The Wizard of Oz," "Veggie Tales" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" He also draws pictures of his family, churches, crosses and more.
Some pieces were made with colored pencils, markers or paint. The "Veggie Tales" characters are fun works of art, but others are very moving.
Logan drew a picture of the family's beloved dog, Maggie, who was hit and killed by a car several months ago. Logan's vision of Maggie is an angel with wings.
"Maggie is a dog angel," he said. "She was killed."
Other pieces in his collection rival the work of accomplished artists, such as the abstract chicken and impressionist-style painting of flowers.
When he talks about his art, there is no stopping Logan. His face lights up as he talks about each subject.
"What is this?" he said, holding a picture of "The Wizard of Oz." "This is Dorothy. This is Toto ... "
His parents, John and Angie Huggins, who say they can't draw or paint, are in awe of Logan's talent. When Logan was a toddler, he screamed continuously. It was a challenge to figure out what to do until his father improvised.
"We went to Walmart one day, and Logan started screaming," his father said. "I put a pen and a piece of paper in front of him. At first, he didn't know what they were. I scribbled and made some basic lines in front of him, and it was like a light switch went off inside of him. He has been drawing ever since."
Drawing has a calming effect on Logan. It's a way for him to express what he can't put into words. Growing up, he also suffered from life-threatening seizures. Art kept him busy.
"If he was upset as a child, he would make a drawing with tears," said his mother. "Nothing calms him but this (art). We could see him progress through his art."
His parents enrolled Logan in intensive applied behavioral therapy programs, and he started to talk by age 4. The family moved several times to make sure he received the best treatment available.
Several years ago, they moved to Spartanburg County and enrolled Logan in the School for the Deaf and the Blind. He continues to work on his art in class and at home.
"He is able to feed and clothe himself, clean his room and fix himself something to drink," Angie Huggins said.
"I never thought he would be at this level. Autism is a characteristic of him, but it doesn't define Logan. We are very blessed to have him."
There have been challenges for the young artist. Logan has battled back from being in a coma and on life support in 2007. The following year, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had surgery.
It took about a year before Logan was able to draw and paint again, but not even illness could separate him from his art.
His parents hope Logan can make a living with his art and are working to have a showing of his work. His father sells Logan's pictures at his business, the Pauline Barbershop. Angie Huggins works in a child development program as an early interventionist with Playworks Inc. in Boiling Springs, S.C.
"We want more than a group home for Logan," Angie Huggins said. "We want him to live."
I'm constantly late and have no routines, autism or ADD?
