Made in the Hudson Valley: Woman with autism aims to inspire those with disabilities through Flappy Hands Creations
Originally focusing on just her paintings, Jenkins has expanded her shop to include handmade jewelry, clothes and teddy bears made from loved ones' clothing.
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Jessica Jenkins sits in her Lake Peekskill home, working on her latest piece of art: A painting of a blue hydrangea from her garden. It’s her favorite flower to grow because of how closely she relates to it.
" I love hydrangeas," she said. "I like to call them late bloomers because they're always the last ones to bloom in my garden, and I resonate with it because I was a late bloomer."
As a proud autistic artist, Jenkins did not start talking until she was 10 years old, turning to painting to communicate with her loved ones.
" I started out when I was eight years old…and it became my only form of communication," she explained. "Now, even though I'm verbal, I still use it as my main form of communication and self-expression."
Twenty years later, Jenkins continues expressing herself through her work. Since she is not medically cleared to work a regular job, she eventually opened up her shop Flappy Hands Creations. The name stems from a little gesture she does when she gets excited.
Originally focusing on just her paintings, Jenkins has expanded her shop to include handmade jewelry, clothes and teddy bears made from loved ones' clothing.
"I hope I can give all the people something unique, something tangible that they can hold on to and enjoy hanging up in their wall or wearing," she said. " Usually, everybody loves my art, and some of them come back for more."
This Women’s History Month, Jenkins hopes she can be a leader and set an example for not just the autistic community, but also anyone with a disability.
"My art is something I love to do, and I'd be doing it whether I make money or not," she said. "I want to inspire people out there and let them know that it doesn't matter what disability you have, that you can still do what you want to do and follow your dreams."
All of Jenkins’ pieces are exclusively sold online on Flappy Hands Creations website.
