Turning my situation around
Hi, I'm Dennis A. Francesconi. As the result of a water-skiing accident in 1980, [age 17] I was permanently paralyzed. Since then, through hard work, determination, and the support of my wife Kristi, I've been able to turn a terrible situation into a independent and successful life as an artist. I taught myself to write and draw with my mouth, then developed those skills into creating paintings. I attended college and obtained an Associate in Arts Degree with full honors.
I was accepted
In early 1993, I heard about the prestigious Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, Worldwide [AMFPA] and quickly submitted samples of my work for review. By late 1993, I was accepted as a Student Member. Just 5 1/2 short years later, I had climbed the ranks to the much sought after Full Member position, which gave me the opportunity to remove myself from 19 years of public support. At www.sconi.com, I've published an abundance of information about my work, the AMFPA, and our USA Publishers, the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Inc., MFPA.
My work has been published in many places
In the USA, I've participated at various group exhibits in cities such as; Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta. International exhibits include; Vancouver BC, Vienna Austria, Sweden, Geneva Switzerland, the Peoples Republic of China, Great Britain, Sydney Australia, and Lisbon Portugal. My work has been published on various MFPA greeting cards, calendars, and gift wrap. And has also graced the covers of several books, on wine labels, and the 2008 California State Christmas Card selected by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver. I'm always willing to help others. Quite simply, I believe that, 'only after you’ve helped others in similar situations, do you truly begin to understand why all of this has happened in the first place.'
