In 1999, Jack produced this painting, "Leper Beauty," as part of an ongoing, hands-on healing process he participated in at the Leper Community of Bali in Lalang-Linggah, Indonesia. Although the left-hand side of the 23-year old subject's body was ravaged by leprosy, her right-hand side was unmarred and beautiful.

Within 3 months following the completion of this work, the girl experienced a total reversal of her condition. The flesh she had lost from leprosy left scars -- much the way a person who has suffered acute acne would have scars -- and part of her left ear remained missing; but she no longer suffered the stench or the festering boils that accompany the disease.

Research indicates that Caucasians possess a body chemical that may affect and alter certain forms of leprosy. Perhaps this chemical in Jack's body was responsible for the miracle that took place.

Dr. Zae Zatoon, Ph.D., who purchased the piece in 2003, asks us to consider yet another possibility. A doctor in Natural Healing, Zatoon is most intrigued by the fact that, despite the ravage of the disease to the leper girl's left side, the painting captures a remarkable, subtleness of beauty on the girl's right, unmarred side.

"Putting attention on that degree of attractiveness," Zatoon suggests, "The painting may have allowed the girl to glimpse her own beauty for, perhaps, the first time in her life. On the psychological level that links body, mind and heart, this viewpoint of a fresh self-perception may well have added to the girl's ability to muster the courage to live and the confidence to heal."

In follow-up to this lovely story, the subject of the painting was last seen, sadly, strolling aimlessly along the beaches of Bali. No longer a leper, she was ostrasized from the leper community while, at the same time, the people of her native village refused her to return. Due to religious superstition, the Balinese were of the opinion that the healing had cheated God of "karma."

Alas! In the continuing saga of the Leper Beauty, the painting was stolen in December 2005 from Dr. Zatoon's luggage while in transit via America West baggage handling at McCarran Airport, Las Vegas. If anyone viewing this web page is in possession of any information that may lead to the retrieval of this masterpiece, please either contact Las Vegas Metropolitan Police (reference: case #LLV060304002992) or else email Artist at [email protected]. Thanks.

Copyright 1999, Jack Alexander