It's a skill he didn't even know he had.
"I feel like I really discovered another talent in myself and it's nice," said Justin Lefkowitz, our Staten Islander of the Week.
Justin Lefkowitz says he never dreamed he would be an artist.
But after he was diagnosed with Lyme Disease last year, he looked toward art as a form of therapy.
Now, he's using his newly found talent to create dozens of pieces for local charities.
"The fact that I can help people. It really makes me that much happier," he said.
It's been an uphill struggle for Lefkowitz who is coping with symptoms like nausea, light sensitivity and severe headaches.
"I'm not really able to see screens anymore," said Lefkowitz. "I'm not able to drive as per my doctors."
Lefkowitz even had to go on medical leave from his job in the finance industry.
He says it hasn't been easy, but working on his craft has given him a new purpose.
"You have no idea the path that lies ahead and that's something I learned," he said
Lefkowitz has donated more than a $1,000 worth of art to local nonprofits since he started painting nearly a year ago.
His work has supported organizations like Historic Richmond Town and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
This year, he's working on a collection for the Building for America's Bravest program.
The project constructs technologically advanced homes for injured service men and women.
"I'm glad I can really help out people especially when I'm going through so much," said Lefkowitz.
Lefkowitz says staying positive is a top priority and hopes to inspire others to do the same.
"Why would you ever have a negative outlook on life? What are you going to accomplish with that?" he said. "If you can actually give me a positive answer I will applaud you all day because you won't. That's the thing. So you gotta be positive."
And so, for painting a picture of hope and perseverance, Justin Lefkowitz is our Staten Islander of the Week.