Welcome to Myimagiville's blog...D.J.

I have had many opportunities to share my story and this is a blog review that Miss Rene made for The Special Needs Neighborhood website:

DJ Svoboda is a 24-year-old artist from North Carolina who also has autism spectrum disorder. DJ contacted our website, www.specialneedsneighborhood.com to help him reach out to people with autism and other disabilities to tell them about his website, www.myimagiville.com and to communicate a message of hope about growing up and living with autism (or any other disability).

DJ and I got to talk via email about his artwork, why he created his fantastical land Imagiville, and what it feels like to have autism in a society that is not always tolerant of differences. DJ has always enjoyed drawing and used his art as an expressive way to communicate when words were difficult for him to come by. During high school, a teacher noticed his work and suggested that DJ focus on art. Now, with the help of some of his friends, he has created a website where he sells his Imagiville characters' coloring books, tote bags and books. He donates a portion of his proceeds from these sales to the Autism Society of America and his church, Hope Community Church in Cary, North Carolina.

Here is DJ in his own words and drawings talking about his art.

René: Tell me about why you wanted to use art to express your feelings and how art helped you with your autism? What in your life led you to art?
DJ: I wanted to express my feelings with my art because I have seen a lot of people and children become very happy by looking at different kinds of art,even different kinds of art that you can see in different books and museums. I also saw how different cartoon films made lots of people and children happy too,different children's books and family films are a couple of the things that give me big inspiration.The biggest thing that led me to do art in my life is i do believe The Lord gave me this gift and talent to help those with Autism know how very special and wonderful they are and even they can make a great difference in the world as well,There were some times when i was treated badly and made fun of,I also saw others with autism get treated bad too,this is mostly what led me to do art. Being an artist to help those with autism and disabilities is a huge and great honor.

René: How did you come up with the name "Imagiville?"
DJ: I came up with the name "Imagiville" based on the characters I call "The Imagifriends." "The Imagifriends" were created first, then I decided they needed a special home, since they are called "The Imagifriends" I decided the name "Imagiville" would make a great name for their home.

René: Where did you go to school? Did you have a teacher that encouraged you to draw?
DJ: I went to and graduated from Cary [North Carolina] High School in 2001 on the last day of May, I had 2 great teachers who inspired me to do art in the 11th and 12th grade.

René: If there was one thing you could tell other children that have differences and are having a hard time in school, what would you say to them to make them feel better?
DJ: I would tell the children to not ever feel bad about themselves. They are all very special just the way God made them. It is The Lords thoughts toward them and about them that matter the most. I would also say that they can make a great difference in the world and to never, ever let anyone that says anything mean about them bother them because if anyone says something mean it is definitely not true. They are all very special and wonderful just the way they are! I would also tell them to believe in themselves and to also always be very positive and very faithful and most of all to always expect great and wonderful things.

René: How did you get the idea for the website? How long has it been in existence?
DJ: The idea for the website actually came from some very good friends that I have known since I was 10 years old. They made the very first website which went online on October 19, 2001. A few years later another good friend of mine I know from Church worked together with my friends and made the website WWW.MYIMAGIVILLE.COM. This year The Imagifriends will be 7 years old.

René: What kind of feedback are you getting on the website? Have you sold some items yet?
DJ: I sometimes get new messages in my guestbook and sometimes other special websites ask me to put their websites on my favorite blogs part of the website. I sometimes get email about the website and about the art as well. Orders have been made and The Imagifriends first coloring book and storybook have been selling really well, as well as a couple of Imagifriends stuff. All info and about the art and mission and testimony can all be read at WWW.MYIMAGIVILLE.COM. There are even links where you can order the books and Imagistuff,even the art too.

René: Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers about yourself? or about your artwork? People that read the special needs neighborhood website are usually parents of children with varying disabilities.
I Would like to say that is is a great honor and joy to bring great hope and confidence and joy and happiness to all. I love creating The Imagifriends of imagiville for everyone. The Imagifriends of Imagiville love everyone too and they want to be your friends forever. Being an artist for everyone and for all those with Autism and Disabilities is a great pleasure and a huge honor. Remember, even those with Autism and Disabilities are very wonderful and special people too and even they can make a great difference in the world!

René: Thank you DJ!