Harriet Ann Hale, Painter, 60

[DGH]

.

It was reported from Seattle, Washington, that Harriet Ann Hale, who
could not talk or use her arms and legs but found the will and spirit to
become a painter and help establish an arts group for the disabled, died
February 8, 2003, of complications from pneumonia, at the age of 60.

Hale, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, had cerebral palsy as a result
of brain damage at birth.

Hale and six others started the artists group Very Special Artists in
Seattle after entering a residence for the disabled in 1980. She also
helped found VSA Arts, a nonprofit guild that provides services to 200
disabled artists.

Hale's paintings were shown around the country in the group's shows.

Taught to read by her mother, a former teacher, and to spell out words
using eye signals devised by her father, Hale began painting as a form
of therapy at age 15 with the encouragement of her mother.

Wearing a headpiece that gripped the paintbrush, she dipped her head
toward the canvas for each stroke.

Her paintings were shown at the Pacific Northwest Arts and Crafts Fair
in Bellevue after being selected by jurors who were unaware of her
disability.