Holiday Inspiration

It seems like after the first snowfall, the landscape takes on a very whimsical nature.  Around the holidays, I'm inspired to paint in that same whimsical way.  The two paintings shown today are "A Dickens Christmas" and "Snowmen: Oh Holy Night."  For some reason, the holidays always inspire me to paint in a whimsical manner.  It's a nice break from abstracts, florals and landscapes, and allows me to practice different techniques.  My snowmen paintings and prints have been relatively popular.  The Christmas Critter dog painting featured on my Facebook page, has drawn a lot of attention. 

When I create a painting such as A Dickens Christmas, it's a culmination of memories from childhood and inspiration from this time of year.  All three of these images are still available for sale and are 30" x 40" oil on canvas.  I have several other snowmen paintings at The Red Geranium Framing & Gifts in Mauston, WI.  They have been a popular draw and gotten many positive comments.  In fact, the store might even display them year-round in a designated Christmas area.

Doing these types of works gives me a break from the traditional, and continues to expand my horizons.  It gives me the courage to venture into other areas with my art.  Many times I surprise myself with the ultimate outcome.  Even though these paintings are seasonal, they're available year-round.  In fact, summer is a great time to contact me about doing a holiday commissioned piece. 

From all of us at Blind Guy Studios (ha ha ha), wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a very happy 2014. 

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.