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| | | Philip Stoeppelwerth, 16, works on his drawings for sale at philipsart.com. As far as his parents can tell, he never draws the same thing twice. (click for larger version) | |
November 26, 2008
JOHNS CREEK - Philip Stoeppelwerth is in many ways very similar to the majority of North Fulton teenagers. But in others he's very different, and his family wouldn't have it any other way.
Like others his age the 16-year-old loves movies, hiking, swimming and especially drawing. Unlike others, Stoeppelwerth can't speak, has autism and is deaf. But it is his artistic talent that shines through and helps Phillip communicate with the outside world.
"He's fairly connected," said Trish Stoeppelwerth, Phillip's mother. "He's very visual - he lives through his eyes."
And now the world can share in Phillip's unique vision and see what he sees, thanks to a Web site set up by Trish and her husband, Paul.
It's called www.philipsart.com, and it features T-shirts and note cards with his drawings. A portion of the profits go to fund autism research.
"It's all about his art," said Paul. "There's nothing really like it out there, and hopefully people find it a little different."
Philip suffered trauma after surviving a rare congenital birth defect, said Trish. While doctors are unsure what exactly caused his autistic behavior, the lack of oxygen and several medications and surgeries may have contributed to it, she said.
"It was a real struggle," said Trish. "It was very touch-and-go for a while ... the nurses didn't expect him to survive."
As a result, Philip is completely non-verbal and unable to communicate anything but his most basic needs, which even then is very limited.
The family moved to Johns Creek from Chicago about eight years ago, and one thing remained constant in Philip's life: his art.
"He has always drawn," said Trish. "Some were stick figures, but he's gotten more and more expressive."
Philip loves animated movies, and one of his favorites is Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." After watching the movie, he began drawing candelabras that looked similar to one of the animated characters in the film.
"Because he's pretty low-functioning, it makes it really remarkable," said Trish.
That simple act soon grew into an all-encompassing passion.
"He used to walk around the house with a pack of paper, he'd draw hundreds of pictures," said Paul.
He said nearly every piece of paper — including personal checks and work contracts — were soon fair game for Philip.
Like all great art, the drawings have begun taking on a communicative function, as well. Trish said a smile or frown on a character is usually an indication of how he feels inside.
Philip draws mostly characters; but from what his parents can tell, he never draws the same thing twice. Characters may look similar, but he draws various designs on each so that no two are the same.
"We've never found one that's the same," said Trish, who added that they have saved hundreds of his drawings in scrapbooks and albums.
While many parents wonder what their child's future holds, for the Stoeppelwerths the problem had real world implications.
"He can't get a job and is not communicative, so we wondered what he would do after high school," said Trish.
That's when Trish and Paul decided they would help Philip through the one thing that brought him meaning and that he enjoyed - drawing.
The Stoeppelwerths began printing Philip's drawings on note cards and soon gave them as Christmas gifts to friends and family. Now, they have set up a small business for Philip - selling his drawings on note cards and T-shirts Online and at The Red Hound at Jones Bridge and State Bridge roads in Johns Creek.
Note cards, which come in packs of eight, cost $12. T-shirts are $20.
"He doesn't have to make a lot of money," said Trish. "A lot of people don't understand these kids, but he's got a little gift here."
 View images.
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