Aaron Strait has always had a love of art. Even when he was a small child growing up in Milford, he loved to draw. At that time, he loved Disney characters. Over the years, he has honed his skills with the help of art classes under the direction of Keith Klein. On June 18, 42 of his paintings will be showcased at 506 Ash gallery in Elsmere, Kentucky.

“Aaron’s World” is a culmination of several months of hard work and dedication, but its Strait’s mastering of his artist technique over twenty years that is unique in of itself.

Strait was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (a form of Autism) and Oral Motor Apraxia when he was just two and a half years old. Strait’s mother and father are both artists and it was through them that he began to enjoy learning to paint. His mother, Dawn Strait-Wallace, was instrumental in helping Aaron get started with his artist ability so soon in life.

“For me, painting is a part of my life so art became a part of Aaron’s life at a very early age,” says Strait-Wallace. “I found as early as age 2 that he had very good fine motor skills, and I would give him little art projects to work on.”

When Strait’s speech didn’t develop due to having Oral Motor Apraxia and Autism, his mother found that writing and drawing were Strait’s ways to express himself.

“He drew all the time,” she says. “He would watch Disney movies on video and stop the tape so he could draw the character in the scene.”

This gave Strait the chance to use a minimum of lines to sketch out his object, drawing in pencil or pen until he was ready to paint.

He could then think about colors before he actually put them on canvas.

In his early years, he continued drawing Disney characters and other child designs. As a student at Milford High School, he took classes in 3D design, drawing, and painting. He began classes his junior year of school with Klein in Florence, Kentucky and has been painting everything from trains to fantasy, historical figures, and more ever since.

“Trains are my favorite transportation, especially steam engines that go back to the 1800s before diesel was invented,” says Strait. “The Nutcracker Ballet was my favorite Christmas ballet during the winter season. I love painting all of the scenes from it because it reminds me of dreaming about new things to do in my life.”

Recently, people in the community have begun to take notice of Strait’s work including Dr. Laura Sams. A local neurologist with a passion for art, Dr. Sams first met Strait at a show for one of his friends last spring, and she instantly knew she wanted to showcase his talent.

“I met Aaron and his mom, Dawn, at a solo exhibit I held at my gallery last spring for a young man who takes art classes with Aaron at Keith Klein’s studio,” says Sams. “I was impressed by Aaron’s ability and enthusiasm in creating art. His work is colorful, whimsical, and quite amazing.”

Sams’ studio is 506 Ash in Elsmere. She has owned the building for approximately eight years but decided to convert it into a formal gallery five years ago.

The space promotes local artists and gives back to the art community in a unique way.

“The gallery is not a commercial business, as no commission is charged for selling the artists’ work,” says Sams. “It is a private and simple endeavor I initiated as an art enthusiast, collector, and dabbler.”

As for her promotion of Strait, Sams is excited he accepted her offer to showcase his artwork.

“He seems to be a young man of few words, due to his severe Autism, but his art certainly provides a wonderful voice.”

Visitors are invited to attend “Aaron’s World” at the 506 Ash gallery on Saturday, June 18. Paintings will be available to view and purchase, and Strait will be on hand to answer questions from 6-10 p.m.

“Aaron is fun for other artists to watch because he is so spontaneous when he paints; nothing is laborious,” says Strait-Wallace. “He concentrates, but it just flows out of him. In the art studio, Aaron has no disability; he is the ideal most of us aspire to be.”

For more information on the “Aaron’s World” exhibit, contact dmsw819@yahoo.com or ldavis@clermontdd.org.