Painting Using Mouth And Feet

By Melati Mohd Ariff This is the first of two features on artists who paint using their mouth and feet. KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Being physically challenged does not stop Mat Jamil Ramli and Mohd Khairuddin Che Rani from utilising their special talents to earn a living. 28-year-old Mat Jamil was born with deformed upper limbs while Khairuddin was born without both hands apart from suffering from a backbone deformity. But their disabilities do not prevent both from attending school where they learnt how to write using their toes. They also manipulate their toes to draw pictures. Both are now with the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Sdn Bhd (MFPA). The MFPA society took shape in 1956 due to efforts by artists from Switzerland, France and Germany who painted using their feet. The association has branches worldwide and provides opportunities to people like Jamil and Khairuddin to develop their talents. WITHOUT HANDS Born in Felda Bukit Bading, Malaysia's east coast state of Terengganu, Jamil is the third and only disabled child of seven siblings. "I do not wish to burden my parents and siblings," he told Bernama at the MFPA office, Kuala Lumpur. Despite being handicapped, Jamil said he was happy when attending school. "My father used to help me get to primary school every day. In secondary school, I started travelling to school alone using the bus where my friends assisted me. "I learnt how to manipulate my toes to hold the pencil. In my mind, the toes are my fingers," said Jamil, adding that he received help from his school mates and was never bullied by anyone. He went on to complete secondary school at the the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (Malaysian Certificate of Education or known as SPM) level. ART According to Jamil, he developed an interest in artwork while studying in standard one but his potential came to light only after finishing school. After completing SPM, he pursued the Information Technology course at the Industry and Rehabilitation Training Centre (PLPP) in Bangi (Selangor, Malaysia). PLPP is a training centre under the Social Welfare Department (JKM) which provides vocational training for the handicapped. After completing his stint at the PLPP, he went home and was unemployed for a short while. "While visiting a neighbour's house, I noticed a greeting card sent by the Mouth and Foot Artists Association. I took down the address of the association," he said while relating how he became an MFPA member. He later wrote to the association asking how he could become a member of the MPFA. "I was asked to come to the association office in Ampang Park and demonstrate my talents. They liked what I did and accepted me as a member," he recalled. OPPORTUNITIES Being a member of MFPA enables Jamil to be financially independent.He receives a monthly allowance from the association that enables him to support his daily subsistence apart from buying material needed for his paintings. "Each month I send five paintings to the association but the figure is flexible as there are artists who may fall sick (and may be unable to paint)," he said. Apart from providing paintings for greeting cards, he uses the environment and flora for his inspiration. He also surfs the Internet and visits locations to source for ideas. He advises those with a similar plight to be independent instead of begging for daily living as the government provides a lot of assistance for the handicapped, including skills and talents development. SPECIAL Like Jamil, Khairuddin, 23, was also interested in painting at a young age. Born in Pasir Mas, Kelantan (Malaysia's east coast state), Khairuddin is the third of eight siblings. "I see myself as special person, not disabled and can do what others do", he said proudly. He attended primary school at Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Kedai Tanjung, Pasir Mas before moving to secondary level at Sekolah Ugama Al Falah. He later decided to drop out of school and skipped the SPM. After form five, he tried at selling clothes in Bangi and Serdang. TRAINING Initially, Khairuddin passed his spare time by painting but joined the PLPP in 2010 where he took the painting course. Nature is his muse and paddy fields and rivers find their way into his paintings. "I travel around to get inspiration and I paint what I see," said Khairuddin, who can finish painting a picture within one day. Khairuddin obtained information on MFPA from the PLPP staff and applied to become an association member, where he was accepted in March this year. Being an MFPA member enables Khairuddin to earn a living for himself. With the monthly allowance from the MFPA, Khairuddin is able to pay for his house rent and food, as well as painting material. "I do not wish to ask my siblings for assistance," said Khairuddin. -- BERNAMA