Soul Art by Jess

 Jessi Upton is a five year old Reno resident who was diagnosed with autism at age two.  She was almost completely nonverbal until the winter of 2007, when she began to paint on canvas over a break from school.  She had been experimenting with finger painting during the year at school and with her occupational therapist Judy, but this was the first time that she had painted at home with her mom and on canvas.  She loved it!  During last November and December (2007) she painted over twenty canvases.  On Christmas morning, she woke up and very clearly said her "A, B, Cs."  It was her family's turn to be speechless, and they sobbed for joy.  Did the painting have a connection?  We like to think that it contributed!  We also know that it was a combination of her wonderful team of private therapists that have worked so hard with her over the last three years and the outstanding school program that she is in at Sarah Winnemucca Elementary School.  During the last year (2008), her speech continues to improve and she has now painted over 200 canvases.

3 of Jessi's paintings were picked to hang in the new Lili Claire Foundation resource center in Renown hospital.  This is an amazing foundation that helps families with special needs children in many ways. 

    We were so excited to have Wendy Damonte from News 2 in our home to do a story about Jessi and her paintings.  It aired April 29th, 2008 and we thought it was wonderful.  We cannot thank Wendy enough for taking an interest in our daughter and for putting together such a great story.  Also, thank you Kelly for passing on Jessi's story to Wendy.

Please click on the picture below to view the video.

A child with Autism has many challenges laid before them.  Jessi is truly an amazing little girl that touches our heart daily.  Through her art and painting she has created a way to express herself and we can tell she truly loves the process. 

This site is dedicated to her paintings and is here to share her designs and works with all friends and family who are involved in helping change her life.

   Autism may effect Jessi everyday.... but painting has unlocked doors and breakthroughs have occured. 

      Contact us at:  Tu7@charter.net 

 Click here to view Jessi's paintings

  Jessi and brother Jake--  Jake is a great brother that is helping Jessi to play and have fun.... if she likes it or not!!

About Jess 

As with most autistic children Jessi has a hard time learning how to do "simple things" in life.  Dressing herself, brushing teeth and communicating are things that do not come naturally to Jessi.  I could not imagine not being able to tell someone that "I hurt" or how I feel.  As you could imagine, frustration sets in often...accompanied with tantrums, biting and pinching.

Jessi has 30+ hours of therapy each week to help her learn how do these everyday tasks. 

Through therapy and playing with Jess we have found that she has a passion for letters, numbers and painting. 

Jessi's mom Laura started painting with Jessi as a playtime activity.  We could never imagine the leaps and bounds Jessi would take after starting the paintings.  Jessi has started site reading words..... nose, mouth, yawn, Momma, Daddy and over 100 other words.  She has been extremely happy lately... smiling laughing and cannot get enough of mom and dad writing words on her magna-doodle.

  Jessi Upton 2008 

Jessi 2007     Age 3 at school