Artist paints with his mouth and feet

A MAN born without arms has become a world-renowned artist by painting with his mouth and feet.
Tom Yendell, 50, has produced more than 500 works from his garage studio, using his lips, tongue, teeth, head, and feet to master different brush strokes.
Mr Yendell was born with birth defects caused by Thalidomide, a morning sickness drug with devastating side-effects, but determined to lead a normal life, said he hopes his ‘artwork proves that nothing is too big a hurdle in life’.
artist and father-of-two, from Alton, Hampshire said: ‘Art is something I have always had a flare for. ‘Even when I was as young as four I’d be scribbling and painting away. ‘If you don’t have the use of your hands, your feet and mouth are naturally the next best things.’
From his purpose-built studio he creates works, hundreds of which have appeared on cards, wrapping papers and walls through the Mouth and Foot Painting Association.
Mr Yendell, who has been a professional artist for 30 years, said: ‘You can use a combination of body parts - teeth, tongue, lips, the whole of your head and your feet - to perform different strokes. ‘I occasionally get cramp or muscle ache after a long period painting because you tense up when working on very intricate sections. I’m not the most prolific of artists, preferring to spend a few solid days working on a piece than rush it.’
The artist is one of just 466 babies out of 2,000 to survive the effects of Thalidomide and has released a book detailing his incredible life. He said: ‘Thalidomide was just one of those things that happen in life. You can’t do anything about it so it is better to get on with life and try and be a positive person. I don’t see myself as somebody with a disability. Being born without arms has never been a problem for me, I just learn to adapt.