At the suggestion of his speech therapist, Atkins began the use of a pencil and paper to express himself. This method was used in order to help Atkins with his fear of speech and expression, and his love of drawing and painting grew from there. This freedom to communicate through the medium of art also transferred to his verbal expression, and Atkins went on to participate in Speech and Debate both in High School and in College.  His move to Germany fostered his love of painting further, and now Atkins, having moved back to Southern California, has created a studio for himself where he can create.  His artwork encapsulates the real and the abstract, issuing a balance of two worlds juxtaposed to each other in his works.  His techniques range from the simple to innovative, prescribing ingenuity to his work that his admirers not only enjoy, but themselves strive to create.  Atkins has recently begun teaching children with disabilities art, because of his own impediment; he is able to reach the children on their level; to help them express themselves in a way that set free his articulation out of its chains of repression.