Suzie Harrison Laguna Beach artist Suzanne Short...

Suzie Harrison

Laguna Beach artist Suzanne Short had always planned on being an

architect, not an artist. But her plans changed 20 years ago when she

was a junior in college studying architectural technology at Indiana

University.

“I was hit by a drunk driver,” Short said. “I broke my neck at the

C4 level and became a quadriplegic.”

Confined to her wheelchair and paralyzed from the shoulders down,

Short has enough movement in her left shoulder to operate her

electric wheelchair, but does not have mobility in her arms or

fingers.

What started out as therapy for her mind and body at a

rehabilitation hospital in Colorado has become an exciting and

creative profession for Short.

“I had seen a painting on the wall in rehab that Joni Eareckson

Tada did,” Short said. “She’s a quadriplegic, and it inspired me to

draw with my mouth.

“I put a felt-tip marker in my mouth and started doodling.”

Short said she caught on pretty fast because she used to doodle

before her accident. Although it remained just a hobby for many

years, people kept telling her how talented she was and that she

should do it professionally.

Short says she enjoys doing her work and feels it’s good therapy

for her.

“It’s pretty cathartic,” Short said. “Sometimes it’s frustrating

up close -- it’s a challenge, wanting to get something on paper isn’t

always easy. I’ll back up and the perspective is all wrong, so that’s

a challenge.”

Drawing in the afternoon is her preference. At times she’ll work

for a couple of hours, unless she’s on a roll and forgets to take a

break.

“The last two to three years, I started getting serious about my

artwork, trying to turn my hobby into a profession,” Short said.

Her talent, combined with that professional drive, have landed her

as the first guest artist ever for the Sawdust Art Festival’s Winter

Fantasy.

The show, celebrating its 12-year anniversary this year, opens

next Saturday, November 23.

Short has mainly gathered clients through word of mouth. Most of

her work is fine-detailed pen and ink drawings, though she does do

watercolor and sometimes combines the two

“I mostly do pen and ink portraits of pets, house renderings and a

couple of people portraits,” Short said. “I don’t use a ruler.”

Short has drawn celebrity portraits for Ted Danson, Jonathan

Taylor Thomas, Woody Harrelson and others. She has met some of them.

She met Danson on the “Cheers” TV set.

The last 14 years she has been involved with the Very Special Arts

Festival.

“I demonstrate and have a workshop so children can try and draw

with their mouth,” Short said. “It’s a great experience for the kids

to get hands on demonstrations of the arts.”

One of the more difficult things is that she can’t physically put

together her work herself, relying on people to help her with matting

and packaging.

“I am fortunate to have a great support group,” Short said. “A lot

of friends are helping me, including designing and decorating my

booth.”

Short will be exhibiting with about 150 other artists at the

Winter Fantasy and will also give demonstrations.

“We’re very happy to have Suzanne participate in our show,” said

Rebecca Meekma, the show’s marketing director. “Not only is she a

great artist, she’s also a very inspiring person.”

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.