My mother has copies of William Kurelek scences of rural Canada that were done late in his life. An example is this picture is titled "Winter" and is from Alberta's heritage website: http://hermis.cd.gov.ab.ca/AFA/ArtistIndex.aspx . Kurlek's scenes of children's activities convey the children's fun in the outdoors. Kurlek also painted life on the Prairies which would fit well in a Social's Unit on the diversity of Canada. However, when I learned more about William Kurelek's life I found out he suffered from schizophrenia. Many of his early paintings were painted while he was being treated for schizophrenia and express his feelings of paranoia. From the website: http://www.bethlemheritage.org.uk/gallery.asp is his image of what is going on in all the compartments of his brain. 
Kurlek's skill in expressing himself through art probably helped him understand his illness as well as helped the doctors who were treating him. It makes me realize how important it is to celebrate everyones special talents.
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