Matthew Lancelle and Jeanette Lesada

Matthew Lancelle is a twelve-year-old with autism who likes to express himself through his artwork. Some of his favorite subjects to illustrate are monsters and sea creatures. Matthew is also a photographer who loves to read and look at picture books. He likes chess, swimming, video games, watching movies, and hanging out with his mom and dad, two sisters, and brother. He attends middle school in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. After authoring Sundays with Matthew: A Boy with Autism and an Artist Share their Sketchbooks with Jeanette Lesada, Matthew says, “Making stories is fun!”

Jeanette Lesada met Matthew in 2001 through Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP). A few years later when funding was cut, Jeanette became a volunteer and continues to visit Matthew every Sunday for art therapy. When asked about her approach, Jeanette says, “Basically I try to encourage recycling positive thoughts. Many of our drawings come from real life, where we try to take a negative situation and put a positive spin on it for next time.” Jeanette has earned her B.F.A., has owned her own photography business, and is also a writer, Reiki master, and musician. She lives with her husband in Shorewood, Wisconsin.

Sundays with Matthew: A Boy with Autism and an Artist Share their Sketchbooks