Chimel Ford: Art that Pops

The Art of Autism interviews artist Chimel Ford

How old are you?

I am 29 yrs old.

How long have you been painting?

Since I was 14 yrs old.

What mediums do you like to use?

acrylic paint, pencil, water color, pastel and ink.

Where do you paint?

At home in my basement. And what program do you attend? I attend StudioWorks by Zoomgroup. It’s a program that helps adults with disabilities work on improving their talent.

What subjects do you like to paint?

I like painting snacks, drinks, iconic logos, restaurants, famous people in a pop art style. anything that catches my eye. 

What are your aspirations for the future?

I want to be famous. Have my own art gallery. 

Are you on the autism spectrum?

yes, I am high functioning autistic.

Do you have anything you’d like to share about being autistic?

I’m a normal person. The autism does not define me, my art does.

Can you share with our readers some of your art and what inspired you to create the pieces?

I like painting pop art that is bold and colorful. I want my art to be fun to look at. I hope it makes people smile. 

Chimel Ford’s Bio

Chimel Ford is a 29 yr old autistic artist from Louisville, Kentucky. His specialty is pop art. His artwork typically reflects various brands and imagery in pop culture that surround him. His interest in art began while attending Pleasure Ridge Park High School. He was very skilled painter and others took notice, encouraging him to develop his craft even more.   His art first received attention while attending Zoom Group; an art program for adults with developmental disabilities. Chimel’s first solo feature art show was held in 2011 at Studio Works. Growing in popularity, he went on to hold several other art shows at various venues. His artwork has gathered the attention of various news and media outlets locally. Being dubbed as “The One to Watch,” his future looks very bright in the art world. 

Website: Artbychimel.com  Follow Chimel on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @artbychimel

Chimel’s art below has been chosen for the 2019 Kentucky Derby Festival.