TheSamba.com :: View topic - Retired Auto designer with MS could use our help.

Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:50 am

Gene was an automotive designer in The Motor City of Detroit all his life until MS took away the use of his legs for the last 20 years. Now at 80 he paints and his daughter posts his work for sale on the Etsy web site to help Gene stay strong and bring happiness to others through his inspiring work. Most of the paintings for sale have been painted within the last 4 years while in his wheelchair and struggling with limited use of his hands. He has been painting every day which keeps him happy and with quality of life. I would imagine it would make his daughter my sister in law and him very happy if there were more sales as he is in the hospital and in failing health and chronic pain.

Gene is now in total renal failure since Christmas and is on dialysis 3 times a week and I know he is uncomfortable with the procedure as well as the consistent infections. With his fragile condition and uncertainty of his future this has been very stressful on him his ill wife and his family. I believe there is always a chance for a miracle and he can get back home and do what he loves, paint. If this happens even for a short time he may even get back to painting on commission although this is wishful thinking on my part. I would love to see him paint Buses and Beetles and I will surly post them if he can get the use of his hands back. But until then I believe sales of his work would give him a boost even from his hospital bed. Eugene’s one of a kind paintings are all original work and most are between $10. and $15. each. And the link can be found below.

I never solicit but being he is one of us, owning and designing many great cars and his health is failing I thought it couldn't hurt to try and get more of his work sold to cheer him and his family up. At $10. to $15. each for original paintings it is a pretty good deal. I bought many and giving them as gifts as people love original artwork and Genes story is of triumph and courage.

Gene’s Etsy web link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EugenesWorld?page=1

Thanks Linda

Wed Mar 14, 2012 6:33 am

Thank you who ever you are for buying several paintings already. My father in law was so excited he said he wants to get home to paint. If they can get him home they will try to just keep up with dialysis in hopes he can paint more if his hands start working again as that keeps him happy. I am going to send him VW photos and commission him to paint and post the results here.

Again thank you very much, I think his art work keeps him alive but he is in a very difficult situation. Also thank you for the prayers :wink:

Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:05 pm

It has taken me a while to write this but my dear father-in-law got his wings a few weeks ago and I want to thank all those who purchased his art as I truly believe that kept him going happily for 2 more months through his dialysis treatments. I was told by his daughter, my sister-in-law that he was thrilled each week that more sales were made as she said they were literally flying off the shelves ever since I posted the request, and it truly motivated him to paint each day the one thing he loved to do, perhaps the only thing left to do. Though unable to walk for almost 20 years he was fun, funny and a talented artist even though he could barely hold his brush in the last few years. Around Christmas (the last time I saw him in Michigan) with total renal failure, he continued to paint daily but struggled to hang on as it was very painful. The last 3 weeks were tough and he was unable to paint for weeks and then out of nowhere he took out 2 images, to paint one was a photo of his sons next to their car and the other a still life of wine, fruit and bread commissioned by a car friend of mine from California. Gene had the still life in the corner of his easel second in line to be painted as he was halfway through his sons painting. The next day he went peacefully in his sleep.

Thank you for being so kind and purchasing his work as it literally gave him life and is at peace now, Over the Rainbow Bridge where his memory will live in his art.

Linda and the DeYonker family

Linda Grunthaner wrote: Thank you who ever you are for buying several paintings already. My father in law was so excited he said he wants to get home to paint. If they can get him home they will try to just keep up with dialysis in hopes he can paint more if his hands start working again as that keeps him happy. I am going to send him VW photos and commission him to paint and post the results here.

Again thank you very much, I think his art work keeps him alive but he is in a very difficult situation. Also thank you for the prayers :wink: