Chad J. Friesen was born in California but has lived in a number of places including the Middle East. He began painting as a child while growing up in Jerusalem and Beirut, Lebanon. Here he first encountered the God's eye painted above the doorways of Moslems. It symbolized the presence and protection of God.

Now, the symbol of the God's eye appears frequently in his paintings. Painted with bold strokes and vivid colors, his art reaches out for response. Since he is unable to write, Chad's paintings are often an expression of his views about life and issues that concern him.

Chad lives with ataxia and a seizure disorder that affects his motor skills and requires that he use a wheelchair. His disability is marked by constant muscular tension and shaking. He lies on the floor to paint, steadying his left hand with his right.

I like to paint because: It's my way of keeping a diary because I cannot write. It helps me cope with life and its pressures. I enjoy the vibrance of making something refreshing by using bright colors and lots of paint for texture. I think about issues that concern me, and painting helps me say something about those issues. When I saw the God's Eye above entrances of homes and gates in the Old City of Jerusalem, it reassured me about God's presence. God would be there. So, often I put a God's Eye into my paintings for a variety of reasons: reassurance, anger, grief and happiness.

God's Eye Art, Inc. was formed to market Chad Friesen's work in 1990, by individuals from Chad's Mennonite church in Elkhart, IN, Southside Fellowship. God's Eye Art raised the initial capital by selling shares to friends and family. The business provides art supplies for Chad, frames paintings and handles all sales. Chad has had one-man shows from California to Pennsylvania and his works hang in private collections around the country.