Here’s a recent clipping from a piece published at Thrive Global… Posted on September 2, 2019.

Social Impact Heroes: Jim March of the Association of Mouth Foot Painting Artists of North America are helping disabled artists to become self-sufficient by teaching them to paint by mouth.

We have an artist out in California named Dennis Francesconi. Dennis is a Full Member of MFPA, meaning he receives an income from the Association (versus our student members who receive monthly scholarships for training, materials, assistance and well-being), which he will receive for the rest of his natural life — even if his health worsens and he is no longer physically able to paint. Dennis was, because of his membership, able to go into the Social Security office and say to them, “I no longer need government aid.” The sheer importance of this act cannot be understated; that he, a person living with a profound disability, was able to take care of not only his own financial well-being, but that of his family. There really are no words to fully articulate the tremendous sense of freedom he has been able to achieve.

The story ran at ThriveGlobal.

Here’s a recent piece published at tethertalk.com … Posted by: Tom Pitts on Jul 10, 2018.

Bio: As the result of a water-skiing accident in 1980, — Dennis A. Francesconi [then 17] was permanently paralyzed. Since then, through hard work, determination, and the support of his wife Kristi, Dennis is once again on the fast track and making things happen. It all started in 1989 when Dennis taught himself how to write using his mouth. From sketching to water colors, what was first doodling for a few minutes became hours. In early 1993, he heard about the prestigious Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, Worldwide [AMFPA] and quickly submitted samples of his work for review. By late 1993, Dennis was accepted as a Student Member. Just 5 1/2 short years later, he had climbed the ranks to the much sought after Full Member position— which gave him the opportunity to remove himself from 19 years of public support.

Dennis thrives on working as a Member Artist of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Inc. in Atlanta. Follow Dennis online at sconi.com and on Instagram at @sconiart.

Creating Timelapse Videos with the Case Air Wireless Tethering System

Dennis originally used a GoPro for awhile to create a timelapse, but had mixed results. “The battery would go out quick, and the GoPro on a tripod would have to be very close to me.” In looking for an alternative, Dennis searched for an option to remotely trigger his DSLR camera without using a cable, preferably using his smartphone. He says he came across the Case Air Wireless Tethering System and decided to purchase it based on positive reviews he read online.

“I’m on my fifth video using the Case Air and I absolutely love it,” says Dennis. “I control the camera from my phone next to my easel and I setup the video using the timelapse feature in the Case Remote app. Plus, the ability to adjust the aperture, ISO and white balance from the app then see how the change of settings affects the image really helped me learn how to use the manual feature on my camera.”

See Dennis in action in the video below, and learn more about the Case Air at www.tethertools.com/caseair.

 

 

Update: From mid 2014 to late 2017 I was basically sidelined by an autoimmune system problem that made it impossible to continue with my work schedule. Everything from planning, painting, and participating in press opportunities was affected. I managed to struggle through a handful of paintings, and quickly realized that I wouldn’t be able to maintain any consistency.

Fortunately in late 2017 my autoimmune system calmed down on its own, and I was able to start painting some small pieces. During the last several months I’ve worked to regain my strength and endurance, and more work is currently underway. Having said that, it’s great to be back!

Thanks to everyone at the AMFPA, as well as MFPA Inc. for their support.

Lastly, many thanks to my amazing wife Kristi for all of her help, this has not been easy!

— Dennis

Give Christmas cards this year and always to loved ones and friends from the artists of MFPA USA. Please visit www.mfpausa.com for more information and online ordering!

Here’s a nice information article featuring Mouth and Foot Painting Artists [Member] Dennis A. Francesconi, and the MFPA from our Fall campaign…! This piece briefly discusses MFPA products, and how to get them. Now that the estimated viewership is in, I’d like to share it.

By Mouth and Foot Painting Artists

Fall, 2013

Dennis Francesconi putting the finishing touches to President Lincoln’s face on Mt. Rushmore. [click to enlarge]

Planning Ahead Can Help Reduce Holiday Stress

(NAPSW)—The best gift you can give yourself this holiday season is to start your plan well in advance. Although reminders about holiday shopping seem to arrive earlier each year, the lack of an actual plan can mean little gets done until the last few stressful weeks.

To make your holidays merrier—and less stressful—here’s a master plan:

September

Once life gets back on track after the summer vacation, start to make some lists. Who will you send cards to? Who are you buying gifts for? Ask family members where they plan to be for the holidays. This time also offers a great opportunity to browse through the stores that you’ve always meant to visit.

October

Don’t wait for Black Friday. These days, stores have special offers all year round. With time on your side, look for innovative gift ideas. Presents with thought behind them are always appreciated more. Look for cards that will be special for friends and family to receive. For example, the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) uses reproductions of its artists’ unique, original paintings to produce holiday cards, gift wrap and gift ideas such as a 2014 desk calendar—another great way to plan even further ahead—puzzles and books. The worldwide for-profit organization is owned and run by disabled artists and helps them to earn their living through direct sales to the public.

If you don’t receive one of these mailings and wish to buy MFPA products, visit its website at www.mfpausa.com or call (877) MFPA-USA.

One of those artists is Dennis Francesconi. As the result of a water-skiing accident when he was a teenager, Francesconi was permanently paralyzed. Then, he taught himself how to write, and then paint, using his mouth. He has participated in over 75 exhibitions around the world. The re­cent success of the movie about President Lincoln at this year’s Oscars inspired him to paint a winter scene of Mt. Rushmore.

November/December

Now that you’ve earned some breathing space, it can be a good time to start writing holiday cards in preparation for posting. You can make a holiday card even more special by thinking carefully about the message you write inside. It’s likely the card will be on display for a few weeks, so you will want to make sure the message is from the heart. And don’t forget to include personal photos for your loved ones.

Once the cards are in the mail, write up your holiday menu and confirm invitations for parties. With all this work behind you, you will now have time to enjoy the season with friends and family. You’ll have earned it.

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Here’s an example of the piece as published via Reuters News. [click to enlarge]

**This piece was used for publicity through – NAPS [North American Precis Syndicate]. The story and painting ran in 53 states. The estimated number of newspaper articles was 3,652. The estimated readership in actual newspapers was 29.2 million.

The story was also estimated to have had 161 million unique monthly visitors to the papers who carried it on their web sites only.

** The numbers above are directly from NAPS.

*Many thanks to, Victor Margiotta – Director of MFPA Media Relations USA, and Jim March – Director of MFPA for North America.

After being sick for 21 days last month, which included being treated for 5 days at MCH in ICU with pneumonia,– then nearly 3 weeks to regain my strength at home, I’m back! Never in 32 years with this injury have I been through anything like this.

I just want to thank everyone who helped. There’s too many to name, but you know who you are… From my Dr and his assistants, to everyone at the MCH ICU, my RN’s, RT’s, PCT’s, and CNA’s, you guys were amazing! To our family, friends, and everyone at the AMFPA / MFPA who checked on me, thank you all as well.

[and especially to my wife Kristi] This wasn’t easy, and after 30 years together, this was definitely one of our toughest moments. Thank you Kris for all you do, I love you.

— Dennis