“Kyleigh Creates” By Painting With AAC And Assistive Technology

Wild and mysterious. Two words that Kyleigh uses to define her artistic style. She’s been creating since she was eight years old. “My art is crazy and calm,” said Kyleigh. “It is bright and sunny when I am feeling good, but it can be dark when I am in my head.” 

She paints with acrylics on canvas. Many of Kyleigh’s pieces have been created with a brush in her mouth to add varied, colorful brushstrokes and textures. She prefers bold colors to express herself. This palette mirrors her personality and perspective. She also paints commissions, customizing art for a person or event. 

Kyleigh also uses augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) on an Accent® device as her primary voice. She selects buttons in her vocabulary through the eye tracking access method. She’s remarkably fluent, capable of saying whatever she wants to say . . . with humor and sarcasm, too.  

She’s also savvy with the software features and add-on tools that her speech-generating device affords. She makes the most of all her AAC device can do. 

Exploring a New Art Method 

As an ever-growing artist, Kyleigh experiments with her art. She’s started involving her powered wheelchair in the creation process.  

“Somebody puts a paintbrush in the footrest, and I can move my chair to paint,” commented Kyleigh. “I can go left to right, forward and back, and even tilt my chair forward and backward to get the results I want. It’s very easy. I can also see behind myself if I want to drive backward.” 

Controlling her wheelchair movements with assistive technology lets her apply paint in a different way and at a larger scale.  

If you are new to assistive technology, Kyleigh offers this advice: “Start slow and don’t be frustrated with yourself. Just be patient and you will get better over time. It is fun and you will become more independent.” 

Now in her twenties, Kyleigh enjoys a fun life of freedom and independence. Assistive technology lets her do more of what she loves. Kyleigh participates in races, too. She’s known to get up in the wee hours of the morning to be at the starting line before dawn. Kyleigh has completed more than 50 races including 5K, 10K, half marathons, and full marathons and planning even more! 

Curious to learn more about Kyleigh’s art? Check out her Kyleigh Creates Facebook™ page. 

Curious to learn more about PRC-Saltillo’s devices? Connect with your regional PRC-Saltillo AAC Consultant. 

About the artist: Kyleigh Kramlich, a 22-year-old woman, is a cat lover and owner of her very own cat, Bobkitty. She is a runner and has participated in many marathons throughout the south. Kyleigh has a boyfriend, Connor. She loves animals and is an artist. Kyleigh has been using an Accent communication device for a long time, and she helps a little girl use her own device. She is a good friend. Kyleigh will be participating in the AAC Mentoring Training Pilot Program. She will be learning how to be a paid mentor to other inexperienced AAC users for PRC-Saltillo.