Collaborative Process
The methodology for these drawings was simple, I set up two pieces of paper on a table or on separate easels and situated myself next to Darren. He then could see my hand gestures while he was working. Michaels would visually instruct Darren to follow his actions on the page. He then would imitate Michaels gesture for gesture and line for line, changing drawing tools when Michaels would do the same.  Working lock step with Michaels, Darren would always place his lines in close proximity and in proportion to the corresponding areas in my drawing.  These drawing were done simultaneously.  The end results were very unique visions quite separate from Michaels drawings that he used as models. 

Below are several paragraphs from a two page news story published in a Westchester, NY newspaper. To read the entire artical please download here.

For almost 20 years Cheryl Lawrence struggled to find the right educational opportunities for her autistic son Darren Murray. The trek took them from their native Jamaica to Florida to Philadelphia to New York and finally Concord, where Darren finished school at Mount Pleasant High School.

But it was in New York where Darren met a young teacher who would lead him into a new world. Darren, now 24, was diagnosed at a young age with mild retardation and autism. “But the autism overwhelms everything,” his mother said. That includes making him noncommunicative verbally. But he has created a powerful language of his own with art.

That auction featured the work of artists with autism or Asperger’s and was held at the Ricco/Maresca Gallery in New York City. But teacher and artist John Michaels, who became Darren’s friend and mentor while in New York, said his work would stand out in any gallery.