Artist Erik Behnke works in his studio.From the Homer, Alaska, Tribune, (Note: I've never heard the term artistic savant. Why can't he just be referred to as an artist with Down syndrome?):
Special education teacher Linda Thompson had reached a low point in her life following the deaths of her mother and baby girl. In a profound moment of loss, she broke down while walking home in Dillingham.
She collapsed in the snow, crying. "That's when Erik turned to me and said his first sentence," Thompson recalled. "He said 'It's OK, Mom.' And that got me up and going."
At the time, Erik was six years old. He sat in a sled holding his baby brother, Chris.Thompson went on to write a book documenting her life with her son. Erik David Behnke is an artistic savant with Down Syndrome, whom she calls a "gift" in her life.
Last week, she received notice that her book, "Erik's Story," published in May 2007, won a National Federation of Press Women honorable mention. It had also won first place in the Alaska Press Club writing contest this spring.
"It was really fun, receiving this recognition," Thompson said. "I'm about to come out with a second book, the first part of the story, called, 'It's OK, Mom."
The books relate a 26-year journey that involved Thompson's discoveries about her son's artistic talents and the work of nurturing his talent to a professional height. Today, Erik's artwork is sold throughout the world, available locally at Ptarmigan Arts and the Art Shop Gallery.
