Floral Frenzy: The Story Behind the Piece

Every painting has somewhat of a story connected to it.  The creation of the piece is very much driven by a memory, an emotion, a link to that image from myself.  I painted Floral Frenzy in approximately 2006.  It was very interesting to me that it started with colors, and the more they blended, the more muted they became.  At the same time, it began to take on a whole new characteristic of it's own.  The petals represented a flower blowing in the warm summer breeze, and trying to entice butterflies or bees to land on them.  It's amazing at the activity you see by watching one flower in the course of an afternoon.  The canvas on this painting was a 30 x 40, and the characteristic of the flower was 3/4 of the canvas.  Even though not brightly colorful, the painting still took on an inherent beauty of its own. 

"Floral Wind"

 



Several times, I had inquiries about this painting at several shows, but never had anyone purchase it until the UW Eye Clinic in Madison was doing a boardroom remodel and decided this would be one of six total purchased for the project.  It is an honor and a privilege to have my paintings associated with this facility.  To me, it's ironic how things come full circle, as UW eye clinic was one of the places since 1985, I had testing done before becoming legally blind. 

To this day, I'm not really sure what variety the flower this is, nor the name of the bush that they grew on.  However, it's things like this that catch my interest and inspires me to put them on canvas.  A moment in time captured forever, and a memory that will not fade. 

You too can have a piece of this memory, as this piece will soon be available on BlindGuyStudios.com as an 8x10 print.  It'll be hand-signed by me, and ready for matting and framing to present in your home. 

Being Interviewed

One of the most unique experiences I've had since becoming a legally blind artist has been being interviewed by TV stations and newspaper journalists.  It amazes me as to how quickly they can capture a mood and turn it into a story.  My very first television interview was a Live at Five segment by Pam Towsier of Channel 3 news at the Wisconsin Council of the Blind in Madison.  The first thing they have you do is to get into position.  Then there's a brief countdown, a huge light turns on above the camera, and the next thing you know, you're being asked questions.  It's kind of hard to keep your focus, and it almost seems surreal that your image and words are being projected out to thousands of people that very minute. 

The next experience I had was more along the lines of a documentary type taping.  This is not scripted, but you do have the ability to edit and put together pieces that flow into a complete story.  This is a more relaxed setting and to me, was most informative.  This was done by Sam Sorenson by NBC 15 while doing a "Your Stories" interview.  This showed me painting, a brief interview in my living room, and a back history of why I started my artistic endeavors.

 My last television interview was done in a studio in Tomah, WI by Steve Peterson and was geared around the launch of my website.  This was a totally different experience, as a group of people came together to make the news brief happen.  This also was very relaxing, and had a wonderful atmosphere to project creativity.  In none of these situations was I nervous at all, but rather excited to have my art and story being showcased that capacity.  Through these stories, being told on the airwaves, you never know who you're going to affect, or who may hear them and receive inspiration.  This is what is very meaningful to me. 

See these interviews here.

Speaking Engagements

One of the things I enjoy doing that correlates with my art is educating and speaking to people about my visual impairment and how I go about completing an art project.  Back in 2001, I was in charge of the outreach mission for the blind at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Baraboo, WI.  I coordinated many events and grew from three people t our first meeting, to 75 at our last.  Since then, I have been asked to speak at several other churches, the Wisconsin Council of the Blind in Madison, and to a local boy scout group in Mauston, WI.  I really enjoy the one-on-one connection with the audience in explaining how I got to be an artist and following my passions. 

My most recent request to speak is at a women's gathering at a Methodist church in Wausau, WI.  This group is doing a mission encouraging people with disabilities, which falls right into one of my favorite speaking topics.  This is supposed to take place sometime in July, and in between now and then, I'm working on several original paintings that I would like to submit to the Second Sense art show for the blind in Chicago.  I continually look for new ways to promote my art, and I'm always encouraged by the responses I get. 

"Circles" - This piece was created to represent the different facets of eyesight.  Everyone sees differently.  Some problems can be corrected, some cannot.

One Thing Leads to Another

My first real art show was at the Memorial Union Galleries in Madison, WI.  This was back in the summer of 2006.  Someone who viewed my paintings contacted the Wisconsin Council of the Blind, and from that, I wound up not only showing at the council, but got a live interview on Live at Five with Pam Towsier.  The Council show led to them asking me if I ever heard of the VSA. 

"Pegasus" - one of my earlier original pieces, now available in my etsy shop.



The VSA sponsors a call for art twice a year: one in the fall, and another one for the Art Fair on the Square in Madison at the end of the summer.  The VSA has proven to be worthwhile endeavor.  The next show that I found out about was an international show for the blind in Fullerton, CA called Shared Visions.  I have been with the Shared Visions show now for 7 years.  That show led me to the Second Sense Passionate Focus Show in Chicago.  These two shows are geared toward people with visual impairments, but the shows are juried and the quality of work is phenomenal. 

I'm very honored to have gotten to the point that I am in my art career.  I never know what's around the corner, who will see my art, and what it will lead to.  In the future, I am working on branching out and entering other juried shows, not specific to the visually impaired.  In conjunction with this, I truly enjoy doing local shows such as at The Red Geranium here in Mauston, WI, the Fountain Chateau in Hustler, WI, and an open house coming up soon at Diane Dahl's home, another local artist from Mauston.  These gatherings help to showcase not only my talent, but also the products that feature my original art.  These are the most recent things that I am actively pursuing over the holidays. 
Before I know it, it will soon be spring, and the whole cycle of opportunities will start all over again.