Art has benefited every one of us in different ways. Art can be tuned up with artist’s expressions and emotions and viewer of art can joyfully relate with different emotions. Jake, who is nonverbal, started loving and enjoying painting during his art therapy. With the support and encouragement of his family, he now is selling his paintings through an online store. We are proud of Jake for his outstanding talent and artistic work. Katie, his sister, has answered on Jake's behalf.

How did you learn to create so beautifully?J: My brother Jake is 20 years old and on the severe end of the autistic spectrum. He is brilliant in some areas, infantile in others and non-verbal. Jake started painting when he was at school. He had art therapy once a week and upon hearing how much Jake enjoyed painting alongside him, Mum went to watch a session in action. At the time, Jake was really into cutting and gluing, so he would make collages. He then went on to do more painting. His collages were always admired by friends and family who took their favourites and had them framed. After mum had seen his art therapy sessions, we decided to replicate it at home with one of his carers. Once a week, Leah and Jake sit side by side and paint together. With a still image in front of them to copy from, Leah will guide Jake towards the next painting step and he follows with his own version. Jake likes instruction and routine, so it makes sense that this would translate through to his art sessions.

What is your favorite creation so far?J: Our best sellers are David Bowie and The Beatles. However, we love his paintings of birds and his Jungle Book painting – it just makes you smile.

What was your first painting that you sold?J: The first painting Jake sold was his Nina Simone, which sold in a charity auction for £3,000! Since then we have sold plenty of prints of his work via our website.

What are your other hobbies?J: Jake also loves puzzles – 3D or on his iPad. He also really likes travelling around London and going to museums.

What is your favorite place to visit?J: We used to visit our grandparents in Phoenix, Arizona, which Jake loved. Jake also likes to go to museums here in London – The Science Museum and The Natural History Museum are his favourites. Jake also loves going to the cinema – he particularly likes the popcorn!

What do you like to do when you are with your family?J: When Jake comes home, we have a big dinner altogether as a family, including our grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

What is your favorite movie?J: Jake loves the Disney classics –Robin Hood, Aristocats and Jungle Book. Jake loved the new Jungle Book too! He’s seen it twice now.

Any special message for our community?J: If you find something you love doing, keep doing it. Jake didn’t start painting with the intention of putting his work online and it is still not the reason he paints now – Jake just loves to paint. The moment he stops enjoying it is the moment we stop updating the website. It’s not about being the best – it’s about expressing and enjoying yourself.