Downs Syndrome Kids Recreate Famous Paintings, Beautifully

Left: "Fifer" by Manet, Flavio poses for similar
photograph by Seola Zani. 

Sometimes great works of art beg to be recreated.

If only placed in the right hands.

The right hands in this case belong to Seola Zani, an Albanian photographer.

Zani had an ingenious idea: He took famous paintings, and used children with Downs Syndrome to recreate those paintings through photography.

Zani used famous paintings such as "Child With Dove" and Paulo as Harloquin, both by Picasso; "The Fifer," by Manet; "Prima Ballerina" by Degas and "Clara Serena Rubens" by Rubens

According to the Web site TheMighty, a web site with articles about successes with special needs youths, Zani specializes in family photography, and has always been drawn to classic works, so the photo project was perfect for her.

 

Left, "The Dancer" by Renoir: Right, "The Damcer"
(Ima) buy Seola Zani

Said Zani:

"The message I want to share through this project is that every human is a piece of art, so we have to learn to see them in a beautiful way....These children are beautiful, and they are able to do everything if we give them a chance."

I have to say, judging by the photos, Zani has certainly highlighted the beauty she describes.

Left, "Child With Dove" By Picasso, Right: "Child With
Dove," (Eljana) Ny Seola Zani.

Best Restaurant Nominee? Tim's Place, New Mexico

If I ever find myself in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and feel even a bit hungry, I'll definitely check out a restaurant called Tim's Place.

The awesome Tim Harris, owner of Tim's Place, an
Albuquerque, N.M. eatery.  

It's believed to be the only restaurant in the nation owned by someone with Down's Syndrome, and from all reports, Tim's Place is an awesome place to eat.

The owner is Tim Harris, who likes his job so much he does a little dance in the parking lot before going in and opening the place early every morning.

The restaurant's catch phrase is "Breakfast, Lunch and Hugs," and owner Harris makes sure he goes around and hugs all his customers.

"I am a mean, mean hugging machine," Harris said.

Talking about leaving the clientele in a good mood!

His parents, Keith and Jeannie Harris and brother Dan Harris help Tim run the restaurant, but Tim Harris basically is a Jack of All Trades, ensuring the place runs smoothly.

For more on Tim's Place, watch this video. In a world of gloomy news, here's a very upbeat business item to digest: