Paint, Brush and Spirit

"Seasonal Joy" original mouth painting by Natalina Marcantoni

They said I could not paint because I don't have use of my hands. I have proved them wrong! ~Simon Rigg, quadriplegic, Warrnambool, Victoria.

The Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World (AMFPA) was founded as the Vereinigung der Mund- und Fussmalenden Künstler in aller Welt, e. V. (VDMFK), in Liechtenstein in 1956. It is a commercial conglomorate of publishing houses that employs artists, who, for reasons of illness, accident or congenital disability have no use of their hands, and who use either their mouth or feet to create their work.

The main product of the company is Christmas cards with motifs painted by the member artists. These cards are sold every year in the months leading up to Christmas via direct mailing in 46 countries around the world (2004). Other products available through AMFPA include postcards, art prints and calendars.

The AMFPA has in later years been the subject of several exposes suggesting unethical behaviour within the organization. The coverage has spurred criticism from charity, consumer and handicap organizations.

In June 2007 the company sued Danish Broadcasting Corporation and Danish daily Ekstra Bladet for libel after negative coverage during December 2005. On October 10 2008 the High Court of Eastern Denmark ruled in favor of the accused journalists, stating that there was sufficient factual basis for statements like:

"Behind the scenes we found a well-oiled money making machine with economic puppeteers, who are scraping in money with arms and legs",

"People think they are supporting a charity, but in reality we are looking at a money making machine" and

"...only a measly 3% is going to the mouth and foot painting artists".

AMFPA has not appealed the decision.

Shop Online for MFPA Christmas Cards

^{MFPA - United Kingdom
MFPA - Australia
MFPA - United States of America
MFPA - Canada
MFPA - India}

^{The India chapter of the association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists is part of a worldwide art movement that is wholly owned and run by its artists.
Our organisation empowers disabled artists to pursue their creative dreams while earning their own livelihood with dignity and respect. All our artists paint holding the brush in their mouth or in between their toes.}

"Ganesha - Remover of Obstacles"
MFPA artist