The most recent Delegates Convention took place in mid-April and formed an integral part of the Associations 70th Anniversary celebrations, which included a spectacular, international art exhibition at the Lindley Hall, in central London. Making it even more of a milestone year for the host country, was the incredible decision taken by the Delegates in voting for not just one but two UK artists for International Management Board promotions. Tom Yendell OBE, a current Board Member, being elected to become its new President. While another senior UK artist, Keith Jansz, was also elected to join the Board, as a new Member. 

Tom Yendell – New President of the International Artists Board              

Hampshire based artist Tom Yendell, was born without arms or hands due to his mother being prescribed thalidomide during her pregnancy. He grew up using his mouth, feet and chin to do every day tasks and his passion for art began very early in his life; teaching himself to draw and paint using his feet and later, using his mouth. His formative schooling took place at Treloar’s School and College in Alton, which much later led to him achieving a BA in Expressive Arts from Brighton University.

Tom joined the MFPA as a student artist in 1986. His boundless energy and enthusiastic promotion of the Association helped to raise the profile of the organization and over the years that followed, his paintings were frequently reproduced for commercial purposes. As an MFPA Member Artist Tom also mentored and encouraged many of the UK student artists in their creative development and dedicated much of his spare time working for numerous charities at home and overseas.

In 2013, Tom was very proud to be voted on to the Artists International Management Board. Twelve years later, in 2025, his wider charitable efforts were recognized, when he was awarded an OBE for his outstanding contribution to young people with disabilities in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Reflecting on his journey to becoming President of the International Management Board, Tom said, “I knew about the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists from a very early age. Little did I know however, in 1989, when I stood watching the then Minister for the Disabled open an MFPA international exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall, that I would rise up the ladder in the Association to become its President”.

When asked what he admired of past Presidents and what he could take inspiration from in his new role, Tom replied, “Our past four Presidents have put a stamp on their position and I intend to do the same! Luckily for me, times have changed in the last 70 years. We are now going from an analogue business to a digital business and I am very excited at the prospects that we have, bringing a new demographic age group and new products to the market. With a new digital business, there are so many new opportunities that we can create. Whether it’s e-cards or working with businesses to tell people more about our amazing organization”.

Summing up Tom said, “Becoming President of the International Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists is the highlight of my 40th year being involved with such an amazing organization. I am so proud. I get the chance to give something back to our fantastic Company, as it provided so much for me, both artistically and financially.”

Oxfordshire based artist Keith Jansz, took up painting again in early 1995, the first time he’d picked up a paint brush since junior school. That same year the athletic young man completed the London marathon but just two months later, he tragically broke his neck in a car accident that left him paralysed from the shoulders down. Keith then spent 6 months rehabilitating at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, returning home to begin the painful process of trying to adjust to his new situation. Unable to do anything for himself he experienced the depths of despair.

In December 1996 Keith’s mother-in-law gave him a book, ‘Painters First’ a collection of biographies about MFPA artists. He empathized with their stories and took inspiration from their achievements. Seizing the moment, his wife Cindy then arranged for Keith to meet with the highly regarded UK MFPA artist, Trevor Wells, who persuaded him to try painting by mouth. Despite desperate early efforts, Keith was determined to improve his mouth painting skills and in 1998 was accepted as an MFPA student artist. Encouraged by Cindy, a transformative two years then followed with Keith dedicating himself to improving his painting skills and beginning to develop his own painting style, influenced by his painting heroes…The Impressionists. This amazingly led to Keith becoming an MFPA Member Artist by the turn of the Millenium.

When asked why he decided to put himself forward for election to the Artists International Managing Board, Keith said, “At past conferences a number of artists and current board members tried to persuade me to submit my candidacy for Board membership but I preferred to concentrate on my passion and real joy – my painting! I feel I have the necessary skills, understanding and life experience to contribute to our Association and feel it is now my duty to support the progressive members of the Board to try to ensure that our unique Association will thrive for another 70 years”. He added, “I’ve been told that qualities which I possess are enthusiasm and dedication. I hope to inspire our Student Artists to see the wonder and pleasure of being part of the MFPA family and the amazing world of The Arts”!

Summing up his appointment to the international Management Board of Artists Keith said, “I feel incredibly humbled and of course proud that my fellow artists from around the world have placed their trust in me. I will not let them down”.

Huge congratulations to Tom and Keith on their recent promotions, which recognizes the hard work and creative contribution both have made to help support the commercial success of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists over many years and we wish them great success in their new roles for many years to come.