CHARLESTOWN, IN (NWPR) – Author Mary Ann Evans pseudonym George Eliot (1819-1880) wrote, “Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms,” and today, her words were carried on in the book, “Life with Cats at ArtSeed” by Ashton Beaulieu, a 28-year-old artist who has autism and hyperacusis.
She began work on her book in 2016 and through her drawings and words, she communicated perfectly her love and life experiences with her cats.
ArtSeed Director Julie Sweitzer and Ashton’s life assistant Terry Branham suggested she write and illustrate a book based on her personal experience. Later that year, an Indiana Arts Commission individual artist grant application for artists with disabilities was submitted on behalf of Ashton.
The project goal was to enable Ashton to have her book published. The grant application was accepted and she worked with ArtSeed and the design department at Indiana University Southeast to design and publish the book. Ashton has also designed a line of Christmas cards. Both published works are available at ArtSeed (www.artseed.art) as well as at NAFC Animal Shelter and JB Ogle Animal Shelter.
Author Beaulieu lives with her mother, step-father and two cats, Cleo and Sheba, volunteers at JB Ogle Animal Shelter in Jeffersonville, Indiana, serves as an intern at ArtSeed in New Albany, Indiana and has a job at Rauch Industries.