A talented artist from Sonoma County, California, is capturing national attention for her breathtaking impressionistic landscapes and her extraordinary painting technique. Alona Tillman, who creates all of her artwork using only her mouth and feet, has achieved a significant milestone this year when one of her landscape paintings was selected for inclusion in the prestigious U.S. edition of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) calendar.

Tillman was born with arthrogryposis, a rare medical condition that significantly affected the normal development of her hands. Despite this challenge, she has been passionately creating art since she was just 5 years old. The MFPA is an international association that represents more than 800 talented artists from around the world who paint using alternative methods due to physical disabilities.

"I feel like I have the most control using my mouth," Tillman explained during an interview from her art studio in Sonoma County. "I'll put the paintbrush between my teeth and use my tongue to brace the tool." This unique technique allows her to create detailed and expressive paintings that rival those created through traditional methods.

The MFPA calendar, along with holiday cards and art prints, provides direct financial support to the featured artists. "Definitely to be recognized for what you love doing, it feels great," Tillman shared with evident pride. "I've been lucky enough to have my art published quite a few times, but regardless of that, you still get a monthly income through the association." This regular income stream provides crucial financial stability for artists who might otherwise struggle to monetize their talents.

For Tillman, art serves a dual purpose as both therapeutic healing and creative expression. "During that time of being in the hospital, I used art as a healing mechanism and as an escape," she reflected, speaking about her medical experiences related to her condition. This emotional connection to her work adds depth and meaning to every piece she creates.

Tillman's artistic subjects are deeply influenced by her surroundings in California's renowned wine country. Her paintings frequently showcase the agricultural beauty of Sonoma County, featuring pastoral scenes with cows, chickens, and sprawling vineyards. "Living here, it's such an ag-rich environment, so I like to paint what's around me," she explained. This local focus gives her work an authentic sense of place that resonates with viewers.

Recently, Tillman has expanded her mission beyond creating art to include community engagement and education. She launched ArtXcursion, an innovative venture that offers painting-and-wine classes designed to bring people together while simultaneously raising awareness about artists who paint using their mouths and feet. "I was just inspired after being accepted into MFPA to continue that story and spread the word about what we do," she said about her motivation for starting the program.

The MFPA calendar featuring Tillman's remarkable artwork is now available for purchase at MFPAUSA.com, allowing art enthusiasts and supporters to own a piece of her inspiring work while contributing to the livelihood of artists with disabilities.