Don and Karen Densmore of Perry changed that. Karen met Kevin through a friend at Cornerstone Friends Church in Madison. Don took a personal interest in Kevin's art and got involved in printing, preserving and promoting it.

"It's been pretty expensive to meet Kevin," says Don with a laugh. "We've done what we can to help him."

His assistance includes building a device that allows Kevin to use his right elbow to activate switches that mimic the action of the left and right buttons on a computer mouse. The large pressure points on the device have greatly increased Kevin's productivity.

Don also cataloged and archived Kevin's work on an off-site hard drive, made photo prints from the files, placed the work in retail establishments and entered it in area art shows.

Kevin's "Flower Patch" took the Patron's Choice award at the Rabbit Run Art Show, held last month. His work "Melting Pot" took second place. He displayed his work at the Willoughby Artsfest and sold five pieces there.

Don Densmore says he has cataloged at least 240 images created by Kevin. The images can be printed on demand, with orders placed through a Web site, www.donsphotos.com/kevinwhite/.

"I wouldn't be out there doing what I'm doing now if it were not for them," Kevin says. "They have been friends, a help to me."

Don has also been involved in helping Kevin accomplish his goal of holding a one-man show. At the invitation of Meeghan Humphrey, visual arts coordinator for the Ashtabula Arts Center, Kevin will hold his first exhibit at the center this month. The exhibit opens with an artist reception from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday.

A SENSOR attached to the bridge of Kevin White's eyeglasses allows him to manipulate a computer cursor using subtle movements of his head. The Madison Township resident a quadriplegic who creates computer art exhibited at the Ashtabula Arts Center this month.A reception with the artist is 6:30 p.m. Friday. CARL E. FEATHER / The Star Beacon

Kevin hopes this is the break he's been waiting for.

"I'm jumping for joy," he says. "This gives me the opportunity to show people there is an artist in here. Even though I'm not up and about and walking around, I'm still doing what I'm doing, just in a different way."

Humphrey says she's "astounded" by the fact Kevin can create such colorful, detailed art with his limited movements.

"I admire him," she says. "I'm amazed at what he can do. He figures out some way to keep going. ... People find his work very appealing. The whole digital art thing is becoming very big."

Humphrey advanced the $300 to purchase frames for the exhibit. Kevin hopes to recoup that investment plus raise money for a new computer system by selling prints through the exhibit. They range in price from $40 to $70.

Kevin works on a Pentium III computer running an outdated version of Photoshop. He'd like to explore other graphics software, such as Illustrator. His dream is to own a fast Macintosh computer, professional printer and software. Donations toward that cause will be taken at the opening Friday evening, which is open to the public and free of charge.

"They don't give you a brand new computer," says Kevin. "They bring you bits and pieces of a computer. ... I know I need a new computer and I need it badly. I just got to save up for it."

He gets just $40 a month.

Creating his art gives Kevin hope and purpose. He spends six to eight hours a day in front of the monitor, patiently creating his images with the subtle movements of his head and elbow.

"I sit here and I look at the blank piece of paper and I just start putting colors down," he says, explaining how his art begins. "And the colors start making shapes. If I like it, I go with it, and if I don't, I don't. I have no specific plan."

Kevin says that in addition to making enough money to purchase better hardware and software, he would like to get museum recognition for his work. He's also interested in commercial design assignments, such as creating logos for businesses.

"I think I can do it," he says. "That's the mind set I have. I think I can do it all."

Ironically, Kevin draws a portion of his determination from a symbol of the very thing that robbed him of his mobility. Displayed on a wall above his computer is a collection of more than 100 shot glasses friends have purchased for him on their travels.

"It's like a reminder every day that I would not be doing what I'm doing if this accident had not happened," says Kevin of the shot glasses. "It has to be for a reason. The shot glasses remind me to keep pushing. One day, I really want my art to end up in a magazine and be hung in a digital art museum."