Athens resident overcomes adversity with art

A man who initially couldn’t draw a stick figure to save his life, found artistic passion amid hardship to become a fixture in the Athens community.

Michael Davenport was 13 when he tried to throw a copper rope into a tree branch to make a rope swing. He did not know the rope contained copper wire when he missed the tree branch and hit a power line.

The electrocution put him into month long coma. He awoke without both arms.

“The doctors said I was as good as dead. They told me 553 volts of electricity passed through my body,” said Davenport. Davenport’s loss sent him into a deep depression, causing him difficulty with small tasks such as eating and drinking.

However, Davenport drew strength from his grandfather, who was a paraplegic, to continue his life despite his injuries.

Shortly after his rehabilitation, Davenport discovered an outlet for his frustration.

“Two years after the accident, I was trying to draw, and I couldn’t quite control the pen with my prostheses so I started drawing with my mouth,” Davenport said.

Years of experimenting with drawing with his mouth for personal pleasure drew the attention of Davenport’s friends and family.

“People were just like, ‘hey maybe you should make that your career,’ so I decided to try it out.”

Davenport, now 46, has been working in front of the Broad Street Grille for nearly six years, almost everyday of the week.

Davenport asserts that his art has helped him remain positive regarding his handicap and the recent loss of his sister.

His works focus on icons of the Athens community and the University of Georgia football team. His most common motifs typically arrange the arches, Uga the bulldog, and football accessories within a composition.

Davenport draws on an adapted easel he secured to a stool, allowing him to bend over his canvas and draw while standing up. While using markers, paint pens, and highlighters, Davenport can produce one drawing in 15 minutes.

Depending on whether the drawing is on a stretched canvas or foam board, his pieces typically sell for between $60 and $80.

Most of Davenport’s business has come from the football season, with customers such as Kenny Rogers, Cole Richard, and former UGA football players Sid Calloway and Bill Goldberg.

The manager of the grille, Doug Elrod, is also a long time supporter of Davenport’s work, collecting numerous pieces for his office.

“I’ve gotten to know Michael very well over the years, and we’ve always looked out for him at the grille. We make sure to feed him and give him water while he works,” said Elrod.

Andrew Dikes, a manager of a neighboring business, Pita Pit, has also grown to know Davenport. “He’s always outside, and he’ll come in and talk to us when business is slow. Needless to say we‘ve bought a few drawings,” said Dikes.

Wanting to share his personal triumphs, Davenport also works as a motivational speaker, appearing at churches across Georgia and working with handicapped youth.

In addition to speaking about his handicap, Davenport is outspoken on his views on domestic abuse, drugs and alcohol.

Seeing his mother severely beaten frequently in his childhood, Davenport developed an early disdain for abuse.

Only three weeks ago, Davenport’s sister, Lisa, was doused in gasoline and lit on fire. Her boyfriend was charged in the incident and will be tried on murder next year.

Lisa was in critical condition with nearly 90 percent of her body covered in burns for two weeks, but was unable to recover, and buried earlier this week.

“Her name was Lisa Davenport. She was a comedian, she had the gift for laughter, and there wasn’t a bad bone in her body. She was a very kind hearted person,” said Davenport.

Among students, Davenport is well known. Blaze Bateh, a fourth year student passing by Davenport’s drawing stand, stopped to ask about his sister.

“I heard about it from a co-worker at Cookie’s and Company. He’s such a nice guy, I felt so bad when I heard the news,” said Bateh.

Davenport continues to draw despite his loss, peacefully commemorating his sister.

“God said, ‘Don’t have vengeance in your heart,’ and I ain’t the one,” said Davenport.

Davenport remains outspoken about his life and his sister with curious onlookers and customers.

“More so than anything, I want the young people to know you can’t give up on life, you’ve got to overcome any obstacle,” said Davenport.

Davenport says he will continue to draw in front of the Broad Street Grille.

“There’s no other place I’d rather be. The opportunity is here.”


edited by Lauren Ellison