Joseph Intravartolo

Joseph (Butch) Intravartolo, along with his wife, Jane, makes his home in north Fayette County. Joseph spends much of his time working with the youth in Alabama.  He is an active Hunter’s Education instructor and has been the recipient of the prestigious Governor’s award in 2019 from the Alabama Wildlife Federation in the area of hunter education-even being given the Instructor of the Year award.  He is, in addition, also a certified instructor for archery, shooting sports, outdoor skills, and other disciplines in the 4-H organization. He has been involved with the instruction of young people at Timberlake Christian Retreat Center (Millport, Alabama) in the field of archery for three years and was responsible for the implementation of a sportsman’s camp for youth.  However, there is much more to Mr. Intravartolo than just these many activities.  He tells it best in his own words:

“Life changes and I encountered health problems; that’s when I started working on graphite pencil drawings.  On New Year’s Eve of 2018, I was at home when I suddenly lost the vision in my left eye.  I was rushed to the hospital emergency room where the doctors there found a blood clot that had entered my eye which shut down the blood flow and left me with only ten percent of my eyesight intact.  The sad faced team of doctors declared that this situation could not be reversed.  But, like the rivers that continue to run, life went on.  Later, in June of 2019 at my home, I collapsed and was struck with the inability to speak or to use my right arm!  A ruptured blood vessel in the motor part of my brain had caused this newest predicament-a stroke.  Once I was released from UAB hospital, I visited my primary care physician, Dr. Travis Miller in nearby Guin, a caring professional who started me on the road back to recovery.  At this dark time, I was unable to speak, so I began reading orally so that I could hear myself talking.  In addition, part of my therapy was to color in adult coloring books-keeping inside the lines- to regain control of my right arm and to assist in directing my eyesight.  So, I took a trip to Hobby Lobby and purchased my first book of drawing instruction.  Time passed, and after approximately three challenging months, I purchased additional books on drawing people.  I had a desire to learn something worthy of the time I was dedicating to my own rehabilitation: and, at the same time, I wanted to continue to refine my new craft of drawing.  The many hours, days, and months adjusting to my new normal while teaching myself my new craft also clarified and strengthened my walk with my Lord.  The intensity of my desire to improve myself guided me toward improving my graphite art skills-skills I never would have investigated without the change in my health and in my heart.”

“I have been blessed not only with the joy of regaining my health, but I have discovered a new way of reaching out to help others who might need encouragement as they walk through troubled waters.  I have received compliments and positive comments about my drawing; many are interested in my story as well!  I decided to attend the Sipsey Art Alliance Pop-Up show in Fayette, and at that venue, Susan Newman, who agreed to evaluate my artistic renderings, encouraged me to continue on this road and to continue to share my unique grasp for art.  She suggested I visit with Ron Morris, a local artist, and share my work with him, asking him to also evaluate my work.  He encouraged me and shared some much helpful advice as I continue to refine and to define my “new” self as an artist.  Consequently, after speaking to these two SAA members, I joined the group with the desire to help others who might be helped through art as a means of rehabilitation in their own health issues.  I personally found that one can be a stroke victim or a stroke survivor, and I chose to name myself “survivor”-one who used physical pain to actually expand and enrich life. I’m turning my pain into process, enriching my life as I travel this world’s journey.”