Manitoba artist with autism gets spotlight at National Dog Show in Philadelphia

A Manitoba artist,who lives with autism, isgetting international attention for his paintings of dogs.

Alec Baldwin'spainting was featured atthe National Dog Show heldin Philadelphia last weekend. It was used onVIP passes,the cover of the program, posters and 8,000 brochures,and even on the wrapper of the show's official chocolate bar.

"It's amazing," the 24-year-old fromGimlisaidwhen asked about how it feels to paint dogs, an animal he deeply loves.

Short on words but full on talent, Baldwin alsoplays guitar and piano he is at the Grade 10 level with theRoyal Conservatory of Music.

He is a dog handler who shows at competitionsand is aSpecial Olympics athlete going to Nova Scotia next year as part of the Manitoba team.

"But above all, he has a good heart," said TanisBenson, beaming with love for her son.

"When I was at the show [in Philadelphia], I looked down at my VIP pass and it had his painting on it, and it dawned on me that everyone around herewho was a VIPhas his painting around their neck.

"I'm really proud of him. He's worked really hard he's had to work harder than anybody because of his struggle with language."

At two and a half years old, Baldwin was diagnosed withautism, and his parentswere told he would likely never be able to speak. They were told to have a photo album of objects that he could point to in order to communicate with them.

They refused to accept that.

"We've worked on his weaknesses and built on his strengths," Tanis said. "That's the best you can do with any child."

Shetook Alec out of school for a few years when he was young andgot him into art, buying him a how-to-draw dogs book.

"Hejust took off," Tanis said, eventually drawing every dog in the Canadian Kennel Club books and the American Kennel Club book.

Baldwin usedwatercolour pencils and made200 portraits of dogsthat hegave to the owners of his subjects.

Eventually, he switched to paint, and one of his pieces, a 40-by-60-inch night scene with 35 champion dogs, won best acrylic painting in the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba's fine art show in Gimli last year.

Baldwin gave a copy ofit to Wayne Ferguson, president of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, which runs the National Dog Show.Ferguson phoned Baldwin to say he had it framed and hung in his home den.

He then commissioned Baldwin to do a painting for theshow. The finished piece is another night scene with lanterns in the sky above the Philadelphia skyline. There are 15 previous champion dogs standing on or near a blue carpet path leading to the city.

Thepainting was unveiled at a special gala for VIPs, including Baldwin and his mom.

Appropriately, his work is part of an event that celebrates achievement because Baldwin has accomplished so much.

"He's come from a place where in school they didn't believe he would do anything, to today," said Tanis. "Hehas come a long way."

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