‘Talented and amazing’ mouth artist inspires residents

A prominent disabled artist who paints with his mouth has amazed our residents as they witnessed his skills and technique close up

Rob Trent spent an afternoon demonstrating his artistry to produce a picture of a robin on the branch of a tree in winter.

Rob was born with arthrogryposis, a condition affecting the joints and muscular development.

He developed his talent in art, particularly landscapes and nature scenes, after a home tutor encouraged him to paint by holding the brush in his mouth.

Joining him were residents with an interest in art including Elizabeth Thompson and historian and former school master George Clarke, who continues to paint despite his degenerative eyesight.

George said: “I was particularly interested to see how Rob paints and hear how he has overcome the challenges he has had. He has clear mastery in using his mouth to paint.”

Elizabeth said: “It was wonderful to have Rob visit our home. It was amazing to watch him put his skills into action before our eyes.

“I only came to painting later in life, at the age of 80, but I could appreciate seeing an artist at work.”

Both George and Elizabeth are now looking forward to trying mouth painting for themselves at a forthcoming arts and crafts session.

“You never know,” said Elizabeth, “It could be a hidden talent about to unfold and it will certainly be a fun activity to try.”

Rob, who is from Dorchester and now lives in Hedge End near Southampton, is a member of the disability arts group Mouth & Foot Painting Artists (MFPA).

One of his paintings, of the Houses of Parliament, was chosen as an MFPA Christmas card image.

Alongside his art, Rob excelled at academic subjects, gained a degree in information science and was a senior manager at national mapping agency Ordnance Survey before taking early retirement in 2018.

He has served as a trustee of the charity Disability Rights UK and is managing director of AccessAdvisr, a web platform for and by disabled people keen to improve accessibility in the built environment.

He is also a trustee of Flat Spaces, a Hampshire disability holiday provider.

Reflecting on his visit to Castle View, Rob said: “I was delighted to be asked to come and meet the residents.

“It was an ideal opportunity to talk about how much I have loved painting since I was a child and how the MFPA have given me the freedom to develop as an artist.

“I found Castle View to be a lovely place, so warm and engaging and with everyone there very happy. I had a great time and was well looked after.”

Katja Williams, our Companionship Team Leader, said: “Rob’s visit left all who attended feeling inspired. He is a very talented man.”