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Neighborhood report

Inspiration and focus

A Valrico artist and his wife make the commitment to showcase his artwork and raise money for muscular dystrophy research.

By BRYAN BURNS
Published December 2, 2005

Friends and family sipped wine as they moved from room to room in Jason and Moira Shiver's house looking at the pastel paintings on the wall.

On one canvas was a portrait of Jason's 18-year-old daughter, Jonique. Another painting depicted Murphy, the family dog. A third, an acrylic on canvas board, was titled Mother and Child.

"It is my favorite," Moira said. "The eyes on the child are amazing. It gives me goose bumps when I see it."

The couple opened their Valrico house and art studio on a Saturday night last month to showcase about 30 pieces of art and raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Moira's two children - 18-year old Amanda and 14-year old J.T. - were both diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy, a form of muscular dystrophy that has no cure.

Moira had learned about Shiver's art when both worked at JK Harris, a company that assists people who have been defrauded through investment scams. Moira was the human resources manager at JK Harris. Shiver was a phone representative.

Moira wanted Shiver to paint a couple of murals in her house - a race car theme in her son's bedroom and a pumpkin patch theme in her own bedroom.

Soon, the two started dating. The relationship continued even when Jason was laid off from his job at JK Harris.

Moira, the human resources manager, had to deliver the bad news.

"I fired him," Moira said, "but later I asked him to marry me." The couple married last year, and Shiver, who has a 16-year-old daughter Jade in addition to Jonique, decided he wanted to focus solely on his artwork.

He said he draws most of his inspiration from traveling.

"Whenever I go someplace new, I always go to the art museums in that city," he said.

"I feel like that really helps to give a sense of the history and the culture of the area."

He and Moira are hoping to set up more shows in the near future to support MD research, possibly with other artists in the area.

"It only takes a dollar to find a cure," Moira said. "We want our dollars to be a part and make a difference."

To see Jason Shiver's artwork, go to http://artistice-sources.com/

For information, call 571-0710.

[Last modified December 1, 2005, 09:34:11]