Kody Bothwell is legally blind but loves to prove doubters wrong with his creative talents, painting for both local and international stages.
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Rechelle Zammit
A new retro-style piece of art, painted by legally blind Shepparton artist Kody Bothwell is now hanging from the roof of Ross Street Diner in Tatura.
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As a regular at the diner, Kody was approached by owner Daryl Hooper to create a painting inspired by the retro and vintage themes running through the restaurant.
Daryl, who owns the diner with his wife, said he got to know Kody through his weekly visits, with the pair striking up an easy friendship.
“He comes in regularly and I just got to know him,” Daryl said.
“We have a bit of banter, he gives me a bit of cheek, and I give it back to him.”
At just six months old, Kody was diagnosed with a hereditary condition called neurofibromatosis, a condition which his mother and several other family members carry.
When he was diagnosed, there was no telling of how his life would turn out, but by the age of eight his vision deteriorated and was classified legally blind.
Despite this, painting has remained a constant passion.
“Since I was young, I’ve always loved it, I love being hands-on,” Kody said.
And it was only after Kody showed some of his artwork that Daryl asked him to paint a piece for the diner.
“He showed me some of his work and I said, ‘Do you want to do it?’” Daryl said.
“My nose is basically touching the canvas” — the process Kody goes through to bring his artworks to life.
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Leaving Kody with free rein over the design, Daryl admitted he was a little nervous about how the piece would turn out.
But after three sessions and 10 hours in the studio at the house of his teacher therapy aid, Greg Beckenham, Kody’s guitar design came to life, matching the restaurant’s nostalgic aesthetic.
“I didn’t know what to expect and maybe thought I’d jumped the gun, but I’d give him the benefit of the doubt,” Daryl said.
“But when I saw the finished product, I was like, wow.
“He painted it as per the theme of the diner in the ’60s era.
“We’ve got the checkered floor, the records on the roof and the jukebox, his attention to detail is phenomenal.”
The finished piece now hangs front and centre for customers to admire as they walk in, with the response from the diner’s regulars, and the wider community, being quite overwhelming.
Daryl said many Facebook users had been writing “Just wow” about Kody’s art.
Seeing his guitar now displayed for diners to enjoy has been a proud moment for the young artist.
“I’m really proud and happy,” Kody said.
Kody Bothwell holds the guitar he painted to hang from the roof of the Ross Street Diner.
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