The Blue Hole
Me, just before July 1972.
My hobbies were fishing, hunting, shooting firearms, trapping, snowmobiling, camping, hiking, and any activities that involved being in the forests of Vermont.
We are delighted to have another artist join us here at Compass. Dan will tell you himself that art has totally changed his outlook on life. His artistic journey has acted as an emotional outlet to work through periods of deep depression after becoming paralyzed from his armpits down. He has overcome his paralyzed hands to create unusual and compelling designs. Dan hopes his studio here will help others realize how, despite the severest of challenges on a range of levels it is possible to achieve emotional and artistic fulfillment.
Dan currently has an exhibit on display called “The Path Less Traveled”.
April 2015
In my art studio at Compass Music and Arts Center.
I love my new hobby!
Drawing using archival ink, graphite pencils, and colored pencils. I am exploring painting using my recipes of acrylics paints.
As 2013 ended, I began the joys of bringing life to my "good-ole memories" from the past.
My fingers, and my hands are paralyzed.
I use my shoulder muscles for controlling my pencil strokes, pen strokes, and brush strokes.
Dan. Who are you?
My birth name is Dan Joseph Gilman, born in Rutland Vermont on October 21, 1956. Rutland is where I have lived my entire life, except for my stays in rehabilitation centers after breaking (fracturing) my neck, at vertebra 4. There are 7 vertebra in our neck.
The schools I went to were all in the city Rutland Vermont. Southeast school kindergarten through grade 3. Lincoln school grade 4 through grade 6. Then Rutland Junior High School, and in 1974 I graduated from Rutland Senior High School.
Before my injury, I ventured throughout Rutland county, walking, hiking, and riding my bicycle searching for what life offered to a curious child as me. The forests, and mountains surrounding Rutland are just as beautiful after my my injury, as before my injury.
The 1960s were a time when a child as me could play, and not fear anyone or anything.
2012 through 2018
The healing of my mental health is moving in healing of my mental health is moving in positive directions. I gauge my emotions to the artwork I create.
Soft and bright colors, along peaceful thoughts are strong indicators my emotional healing is progressing. directions. I gauge my emotions to the artwork I create.
Anger, and rage are emotions in my past. Yes- I still need mental health counseling, and ant-depressants are a necessary aspect of my life.
