Nearly four decades ago, Rick Laird’s life was forever changed in a matter of moments. The fit, active teenager was involved in a car crash which left Rick unable to move his arms and legs.

While becoming a quadriplegic would be discouraging for anyone, Rick Laird accepted his new situation and the challenges it presented.

Rick continually challenges himself to learn new skills and improve on skills he has developed. The artist has adapted a painting technique in which he holds a brush within his teeth.

“I always was artistic but never painted,” says Rick. “I went back to school in Nova Scotia when I was 50-years-old.”

Rick has returned to Calgary, where he had spent most of the 1980’s. He continues to pursue his study of art under the guidance of Nancy-Lynne Hughes. Hughes says that while she's Rick’s teacher, she learns a lot from the paralyzed artist.

“What I learn from Rick is a sense of persistence around continuing through adversity,” says Hughes, the operator of Hughes on Tenth in Kensington. “He's the epitome of patience. When you think about how difficult it is to set up the paints, he has to wait for someone to put the paint out on the palette.”

Colleen Heck and Rick had a relationship when he lived in Calgary and the couple have reunited.

“The first time I met him and he asked for my number I said ‘No, this isn't gonna work, you're in a wheelchair, it's too complicated’,” says Colleen. “As I got to know him and all the things that he does, he inspires me.”

Rick belongs to an international organization called Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Inc. which provides the artist with a source of income.

“They take all of my originals and they produce basically anything that requires art work,” explains Rick. “They make calendars, cards and writing paper.”

Rick's work is available for purchase at the Ricky Laird Mouth Painter website.

In addition to being a quadriplegic, Rick faces the challenge of being a colour blind artist. Nancy-Lynne says the studio assists in preparing his palette.

“We have eliminated the severe difficulty by putting out the paint for him, says Hughes. “That way we're dealing with values, we’re dealing with light, medium and dark.”

“If I put the paint out, then he's not so likely to get into trouble cause he can't reach for it on his own,” says Hughes with a chuckle.

For his willingness to learn new skills and use them to brighten the world, Rick Laird is this week's Inspiring Albertan.

With files from Darrel Janz