Inspiring Artist Defies Paralysis to Create Masterful Oil Paintings

• Artist Zhang Junli has been spending 34 years of her life in near-total paralysis, but she continues to amaze everyone with her oil paintings.
• She creates her masterpieces by holding a paintbrush in her hand and making tiny movements with her one working shoulder.
• Zhang has worked hard to master her craft and show everyone that anything is possible.

Painter Zhang Junli has been dealing with near-total paralysis for 34 years of her life, but she has never let it hinder her from creating her art.

Zhang, who lives in Taiyuan in northern China, first had trouble moving her thumb and wrist at 6 years old. She was soon diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that affects the body’s joints. The disease completely took over within two years, leading to near-total paralysis.

She shared, “I can move my hip, shoulders, and neck a little. Other than that, I can’t move at all.”

Still, Zhang maintained a positive outlook.

She said, “The world is too beautiful. Even if I am in poor health, I don’t want to give up the opportunity to live.”

Zhang, now in her 40s, shared how she had always loved drawing.

Her artistic journey started with sketches. She can hold a pencil in her hand, and make tiny movements with her one working shoulder. She eventually moved up to a paintbrush, which opened her up to a world of wonder.

Zhang took her craft seriously — she even took lessons from a local oil painter to improve her technique. She has since painted over 300 oil paintings within three years. Her preferred subjects are beautiful scenes from nature, which she searches online or borrows from friends’ vacation photos.

Zhang’s incredible talent was soon recognized by the online world when she started a shop called “Lily’s Easel” on WeChat. Soon enough, all 300 of her masterpieces were sold.

She shared, “I sold my last painting this morning. I can’t believe this. I am so touched by everyone’s support. It truly feels like a dream!”

She spends about seven to 12 days on each painting. In between paintings, she writes. She has already written one autobiography and three novels.

Zhang said, “I want to encourage people who are in the same situation as I am to not give up on themselves. Instead of crying and worrying all day, explore your identity and find your meaning in life. Live in the present.”

What an inspiring artist!

Share Zhang’s story to remind everyone that anything is possible.

Source: Inspire More