Austin Palette both fiction and nonfiction: In February 2025, I suffered a stroke that took away the use of my dominant right side. For an artist, it felt like the end—I could no longer paint or draw the way I once had. But I refused to let the story end there.
I taught myself to paint and draw with my left hand, step by step, stroke by stroke. Alongside that journey, I turned to words and vision, creating this book. With the help of AI illustrations and my own determination, I brought this character to life. In the final section, you’ll also see some of my earlier works—reminders of the journey that shaped me.
Recovery is long, and every day is a challenge. But through it all, one truth carries me forward: NEVER GIVE UP. I am completing 25 left-handed pieces for a show in November. Join me there with this book. Never Give Up is more than art—its resilience painted in color. Born from struggle, transformed by creativity, and carried by unshakable determination, this movement inspires anyone facing doubt, rejection, or adversity. Never Give Up!