TUNG-MUI and Pui-yung are like any close friends, with the exception that they never walk hand in hand - both were born with physical disabilities, one without arms, the other with cerebral palsy.
But they share the same interest, painting. They are the only local members of the international Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists.
Chan Tung-mui, a 23-year-old cerebral palsy victim, began learning to paint in watercolours with her foot with Lo Pui-yung, 20, five years ago.
''We only did so because our arts teacher at school advised us to,'' Tung-mui, who has speech problems, said. Pui-yung, who knew her when they studied at the special school for the physically disabled, the Princess Alexandra Red Cross Residential School, is familiar with Tung-mui's speech and ''interprets'' for her.
Today the two young painters admit to being far from satisfied with their watercolour works, but they have already satisfied the stringent standards set by the AMFPA. Like other members of the association, the pair presented six paintings to a panel (one painted in front of the local representative) for acceptance, and a medical certificate stating they can't paint with their hands.
They became members in 1991 and have since been given monthly subsidies aimed at helping them improve their artistic skills. They claim, though, to have no intention of becoming full-time artists.
