David’s 5th Blog (Dave’s Diary) (Copy)
This week has been very interesting with some developments which I’ll describe below.
But now we’re in September, and this is my 5th Blog, I’m now considering naming my Blog - Dave’s Diary as something a bit more catchy.
So what’s happened this week?
The Grigor Gallery has now 2 artworks by 2 clients who are keen to do more sessions. I’m delighted to show their work and talk about how they arrived at their amazing work. I have also displayed my example as well under their image to explain how they work at their image.
In time we’ll build up a large body of work that can show a vibrant range of images and effects. Already acrylic painting, colour pen drawing and watercolour have been used and I am describing the process by the artworks in the galleries, so there are description next to them to explain how we arrived at the artworks.
I’m asking as the start of all sessions whether it’s the same client or new, if they would like a recording of the session at the start. This is for the client to reflect on the session and remember techniques and for accessibility.
I’m also asking clients at the start of each session if they need anything in particular for their own accessibility needs eg. using bright colours in painting for contrast in watercolour and use of black pen for boldness of mark.
The connection on video is very good during the sessions now after further technical kit was sought which gives excellent coverage. If you are in a remote area and connection can be difficult, please let me know as it may be good to have a back up video link provider to choose from.
Giclee prints:
I have had great interest with Giclee prints of my artwork, and one print has been sold so far and many more are very likely to follow. So I’m now exploring how to integrate Squarespace with an e-commerce Fine Art print company to sell prints of all my artwork. In the mean time I’m putting buttons on for my pen & ink work to sell single images, but next task is to sell unlimited prints of all images.
As the next week unfolds, there are bound to be more advancements and progress, so revisit to find out what happening.
David’s Diary 6th Blog
A week on, and further developments this week. Further work is going to be added to the Grigor Gallery: Watercolour of a river scene and bridge and a spaniel. The client is trying drawing and watercolour painting and ink work. Bright colours are important so inks can show brightness the intensity far more than watercolour. Inks also dry far quicker than watercolour but they’re permanent so unlike watercolour which you can dab off the paper, inks can’t be.
Recording of sessions if wanted:
So clients are now being asked whether they would like the session recorded (for their record), and this is sent to the client afterwards using Wetransfer. I also send the image I work on as well to help clients by the same method.
Accessibility:
At the start of art sessions clients are asked what will help them with accessibility in the session, and brightness of colour can be key factor.
Marketing Blind Create:
I am waiting to talk to other sources about how to market Blind Create efficiently, which is taking time, and this is a very difficult side of starting a social enterprise business. So I am reaching out to known contacts and new contacts, and this takes time. I’m also looking for funding as well to develop the website, marketing and the sales form art and tuition sales.
Other developments are in the pipeline and zoom and Team meetings are being arranged with different organisations in order to discuss collaborations and advice. Watch this space for further news about this.
Giclee prints are now featuring on the website of many of the artworks, which is a big step forward, as I would like to make prints available for most sizes, mounting and framing which can all be done by a printing company especially sending the print by White label shipping direct to the client. When this is possible, it’ll be worldwide available not just the UK.
Keep revisiting and you may amazed at what could be happening next.
David’s Diary 7th Blog
On Friday 2 clients enjoyed their art sessions and we painted the same subject - their adorable pets, a spaniel and a terrier, both pets were there but I had a handy book available on dog breeds so both clients were able to choose a photo of a spaniel for help with the shape and features.
The results of these 2 sessions will be shown soon and they made a great effort with acrylic paint.
1st Testimonial which speaks for itself.
This is now on the testimonial page:
‘‘With David’s expert tuition, I’m learning how to use perspective in my drawing and paint using bright colours with inks and watercolour. I’m thoroughly enjoying the sessions, and he ensures that my accessible needs are met every session as my sight had been affected in the past (by cataracts).
Also I’m a real fan of his artwork and am very keen on his Giclee prints which look great on my wall. I thoroughly recommend Blind Create’s art sessions and David’s vibrant artwork, he's really helping me to feel excited about my own art and I’m really delighted to show my artwork on his website.My sight has worsened over the years firstly due to astigmatism in both eyes, then cataracts. These were removed at a relatively young age and bilateral lens implanted, but opacity built up again on both eyes so I had LASIK surgery then later went for a few bouts of jag laser over the years. I still wear varifocals.
I really enjoyed learning how to paint dogs as I now have a little Cairn terrier. I will enjoy mixing acrylic paints to obtain various colours and textures which can be built up in fairly swift stages. I saw how David changed a blank page into a life like spaniel over zoom. It was phenomenal to observe.
I am now keen to purchase both a ‘fan’ and ‘stipple’ brush after David kindly showed me in the zoom lesson how to utilise these brushes to paint the dog’s fur, in various different directions in order to make it come alive. It was fascinating and mesmerising to see the animal take shape. I painted the dog in pastels as I watched David paint in acrylics. 🙌 David thank you for invigorating my old interest in art again. I so appreciate your time and effort. I want to further progress and learn about the use of light and dark tones, textures, oils, pastels, inks and acrylics. I enjoyed the whole process, and it was terrific to learn from the comfort of my own home whilst watching David demonstrate. His classes have invigorated my love of art and I have been keen to purchase various giclee prints of his fantastic artwork, which arrives swiftly and beautifully packed. I enjoyed learning about perspective and I had fun drawing Brighton Pier. Yesterday I went to Brighton and took photos and went to an art gallery. These lessons have reignited my desire to draw and paint with David’s help.’’
MASIS:
Last week I spoke to Peter Lyne of Masis and Creative Scotland. Masis is including Blind Create on their collaboration page very shortly, but this is in conjunction with the addition of the now involvement with VBP (Value Based Practice).
Please see the statement below which is now on the website on the landing page and under Blind Create Welcome:
Blind Create is delighted to be in collaboration with the registered charity Mobility and Support Information Service (MASIS) and this represents a significant and positive development for the particular benefits and networking and marketing opportunities that can come from this relationship. MASIS is a charity that already has a large number of established associates and its Founder Peter Lyne has undertaken advisory roles on numerous central and regional government forums (all associated with healthcare and disability related subjects). MASIS is both an organisational and individual partner of a high profile collaborating centre VBP - The Collaboration Centre for Values-Based Practice in Health and Social Care at St.Catherine’s College, Oxford.
St Catherine's College Oxford has a national and international membership and following.
The already existing relationship which MASIS has with the collaborating centre will soon be further enhanced and will create even more awareness for the charity and assist in emphasising the importance to address the social inclusion and equality of disabled people.
The benefits that Blind Create can offer to blind and partially sighted people by educating them into the therapeutic benefits that art can offer to help enrich their lifestyles and wellbeing is essential. It is also important to realise that other creative disciplines such as woodwork, pottery, sculpture, etc can also offer benefits to disabled people, especially those who want to improve their manipulative skills. Music and the performing arts are also ways to help disabled people express themselves and their emotions.
The VBP collaboration aims to emphasise and develop the importance of social inclusion and equality of disabled people and regrettably the interaction which the medical 'model' of health and wellbeing has with social 'model' of health and wellbeing is all too often ignored.
MASIS will be including Blind Create in the forthcoming digital marketing campaign which the charity is soon to be commencing with the assistance of its on-going Google Ads Grant which the charity was awarded in 2016. The campaign will include organisations, commercial companies, academic establishments and service providers associated with the healthcare and social care sectors and will also aim to develop a holistic understanding of disabilities and what can be done to assist individuals with specific needs.
This is truly a most significant opportunity to be regarded and valued by experts in the relevant fields all associated with accessibility, equality and social inclusion.
It also represents a significant and important opportunity for Blind Create to be regarded and valued as a significant contributor to the therapeutic, academic and artistic benefits which can be offered by the social enterprise.
Creative Scotland:
I had a Zoom meeting with Creative Scotland on Friday early afternoon, and discussed various aspects of how they can assist Blind Create. These are early days, but there will be further meetings to discuss developments and whether we can benefit form some of the funding available.
This next week could be further fruitful with more developments ahead. Keep revisiting Blind Create and book a session for yourself.
Dave’s Diary -8th Blog
The image of ‘‘Toby’’ is featured on this week’s bog, as Jemima’s Cocker spaniel. A lot of work went into Toby, and we are still to add Toby’s collar which has some super features on it, so watch the gallery for the next part of the painting. We used the fan brush and the long edges sponge to make fur marks by dabbing and shimmering the paint on to make the movement of fur. Jemima is really enjoying applying the paint.
Masis is about to add Blind Create to their website under collaboration with a number of other organisations and charities. What impact and relevant does this have for Blind Create?
The footfall of interest from the Digital Google campaign and the network of interest from those who follow VBP are like to take notice of Blind Create and the networking from this. Therefore many more people could visit Blind Create and discover what we offer.
As well as this, many more people are likely to read these blogs and realise the great potential here.
Furthermore this coming week I am talking to a Care home that is interested in Blind Create and a possible collaboration for regular art tuition classes all their residents in their homes. This would be a very big breakthrough and I’ll write more details about this in the forth coming blogs.
Watch this space for the next update.
Dave’s Diary -9th Blog
Two ideal opportunities are ahead which could potentially take Blind Create to UK recognition and further.
Firstly I am in discussion with a care home that is about to expand throughout the UK. The Care home have already been excelled by the Care Quality Commission and through Masis are particularly interested in discussing with Blind Create and how residents in the home and at hoe can benefit from specialist art tuition and the therapeutic benefits.
Secondly discussions with art link is also in the pipeline and I have proposed a plan of action of how Blind Create can benefit patients in care and aftercare when having treatment, and their families.
This is truly a very exciting time, and if successful could accelerate Blind Create and how this service is a very valuable way of providing therapeutic and creative methods of healing.
There are also other ideas in the pipeline inspired and backed by Tricia, one of my clients with Blind Create, who has feedback some ideas that I am also looking into. Eg. Subscriptions and how I can make these available for clients on a monthly, quarterly and or yearly basis.
Also videos of the techniques I use for the specialist classes, and making these available online for purchase, which I would like to do, as long as I can make the quality fo the videos professional and accessibility compliant.
So watch this space for next week…
Dave’s Diary -10th Blog
This is my 10th Blog, in which I have started telling the story each week of Blind Create https://www.davidgrigor.com/welcome since its launch at the beginning of August. So this is a milestone for Blind Create and telling you about the fantastic developments that are happening each week that are inspiring me as an entrepreneur because they are shaping the success of Blind Create.
Collaboration with MASIS (Mobility and Support Information Service):
So I’m very proud to announce that Blind Create is now on the collaborating page on Masis UK website which happened last week. This is a very significant event for Blind Create. Blind Create is featured with logo and statement and links to Blind Create Blindcreate.com as 7th on the list…
https://www.masis.org.uk/network-and-collaborate
Peter Lyne the founder of Masis has just announced this new development on Masis and through their Google digital Campaign, hopes to have a vast increase of visitors and footfall and this should hopefully have a positive impact on visitors to Blind Create and davidgrigor.com. This is a significant step forward as I am also in discussions with a care home organisation to provide therapeutic art tuition to residents and members. Further details should be available soon and they who are also collaborating with Masis UK.
Print on demand:
I am now developing an extensive e-commerce Store on davidgrigor.com where a range of products with my work can be purchased individually or in bulk https://www.davidgrigor.com/store-1-KFroV The Store is organised by one of Squarespace partners, and they produce quality prints and products on demand, with production, postage and packing all dealt with. I’m adding to the store on a regular basis so if you have any comments or suggestions please let me know and I’ll try to accommodate any good ideas.
There is already a large body of artwork now available as framed prints of various sizes, mugs of two sizes, clothes and other items as well.
Please visit the store and choose your favourite art works and the product. I am also including themes with their displays, and next up is going to be Halloween. I’m determined to make buying my artwork, interesting and affordable, so you may notice the prices are really very reasonable.
Examples acrylic paintings for Blind Create:
I’ve just added a handful of examples of how to paint landscapes, portraits and still life in acrylic on the Blind Create welcome page. These give some idea of the techniques in creating acrylic paintings. I am regularly updating the site with new ideas for creating art work. One of these examples is the artwork for this weeks Blog.
Acrylic painting is the favourable medium for teaching because it dries quite quickly and doesn’t smell like oil paint. You can work over it easily adding many layers and changing any part of the painting. Also you can change its brightness from dark to light and vice-versa, just by using white or lighter colour. But there is also one other quality of acrylic that is sometimes forgotten, it can be very bright and its lustre and contrast is much better for those with partial sight, therefore acrylic or should I really say student and artist quality acrylic is generally the best medium to use for most kind of painting themes.
Now that you have an insight into Blind Create, please visit and find out more for yourself at: https://www.davidgrigor.com
Dave’s Diary -11th Blog
‘Toby with big tie’
A very eventful week just gone, and I am now developing links with 2 businesses in addition to Masis. The businesses are collaborating already with Masis, and are both part of a respected group of trusted experts in their fields.
So a new page titled ‘Partners’ is now featuring Masis and Designate and consultant Elaine Hollerhead. Designate is Designate-uk.co.uk, Designate Housing Adaptations Interior Design & Colour Consultancy. Elaine Hollerhead – Consultant – is an Interior Designer and also an Occupational Therapist and advises clients how to expertly adapt and change their home and work environments.
The statement on the page says this-
Our collaboration will involve sharing our details on our websites, and where appropriate recommending our services as we recognise our expertise in our given fields
This is further large step in the right direction as Elaine only works with trusted partners, and therefore Blind Create joins a group of established business that aim to make inclusion and accessibility the key aim.
Elaine is a specialist in Inclusive Design, incorporating health needs seamlessly across the entire spectrum of health conditions – from general aches, pains and stress to catastrophic life-changing injury. By using, whenever possible, mainstream products instead of disability – specific equipment, she is able to create dignified and stylish non-clinical environments and solutions for individuals and families to enjoy, achieve aspirational living.
Both Blind Create and Designate Housing Adaptations Interior Design & Colour Consultancy are part of the collaboration with Masis and Founder Peter Lyne’s impact on inclusion and equality.
As Founder of Blind Create ‘‘I’m very inspired and excited by what opportunities are ahead for all those whom we aim to help.''
Along with this fantastic partnership, I am also about to include the award winning Home Care service ‘CareYourWay’ that’s based in South Devon. They are looking to expand across the UK and would like to signpost their clients towards Blind Create because they recognise the therapeutic benefit I can bring to their clients. So further details are going to be on the website this week.
More developments are ahead…
Dave’s Diary - 12th Blog
Dancing halloween skeleton by Jemima.
This is a short blog this week, but I would like to talk about a fantastic halloween painting by Jemima, painted on Friday, using A3 black paper and white acrylic paint. Both Jemima and her family prepared a range of halloween ideas including some skeletons etc, and I dressed up in a skull hat and cape, with pretend spiders and Skeletons. We started by plotting out the skeleton on the paper and Jemima wanted to paint it dancing, so we painted bones moving in different directions and ribs that had movement to them. Jemima’s skeleton is the feature art work for this week.
It was fantastic to receive a comment from Jemima’s parent saying thank you so much for today, and that they both had a ball!
Next week we’re planning to paint a ‘Day of the dead mask’, which is bound to be great fun.
The partner page now features three links, with Designate and Care Your Way both very delighted to be collaborating and friends with Blind Create.
Further developments and happening next week, and I’ll talk about this in the next blog.
Dave’s Diary - Blog
Halloween today, and a week in which the cauldron bubbling away with opportunities ahead and possibilities. The clocks go back this weekend, but Blind Create goes forward with more possibilities.
Whats happening:
Next week I'm talking to the team at Ebay to facilitate a successful link with my art store and ebay. I joined Printful an e-commerce company last month that enables unlimited number of products to be produced and shipped with my artwork, in the States and in the UK. Ebay are in collaboration with UnLtd UK to help myself as a social entrepreneur to sell successfully through ebay.The Christmas season is fast approaching so I'll be writing more about this and how it develops and what’s popular.
Care Your Way - the award winning Home Care service is now promoting Blind Create through their next next newsletter to their client base, so this could open new possibilities.
I’m going to re-introduce 3 videos to davidpgrigor.com this week that may enable anyone to gain a better insight into how to paint. I put together How to set up your workspace, Stages 1&2 and 3&4. Please bear in mind that these videos are home made and temporary until I can produce quality videos to replace them. I hope they are useful in the interim.
Further discussions have been happening with the businesses who have linked with Blind Create. I am also talking to other businesses to find out their approaches, and how I can further develop Blind Create.
Stories and ideas:
Please send in your stories, and ideas for Blind Create: If you’ve made an artwork at home I would be very interested, If you have a story you’d like to share please snd it in about making artwork or something that’s inspired you.
Last few weeks, its been suggested I introduce 3D work and clay work for clients. Interestingly you don’t need to buy clay, you can make ‘home- made’ clay that’s like dough, but it hardens and can be painted on.
I’m going to introduce this soon, and show what can be done at home with common kitchen cooling resources, but also with craft clay that can be home baked!
Until next week…
Dave’s Diary - 14th Blog
Beginning of Nov and this is now the lead up to Christmas. I am now
Two zoom meeting last week, one with Ability Needs Magazine and thd other with Ebay UK.
Firstly - Ability Needs Magazine which is Britain’s premier disability magazine. As described on their website:
‘‘Since 2001 Ability Needs has been the country's most informative, best distributed disability magazine for the less able and their carers made available within special needs groups, nursing homes and NHS Trusts throughout the United Kingdom in addition to being distributed to disabled people and NHS and Social Services Occupational Therapists free of charge through our extensive mobility mailing information.
As well as being on sale nationally, additional copies of Ability Needs Magazine are also available at Shopmobility outlets throughout the UK. We are offering readers a disability magazine with up to date news and information on issues that are currently affecting disabled people and groups as well as producing essential information on products and services to improve their lives.
Ability Needs also has a commitment to our advertisers to deliver magazines to our core audience - people with disabilities and their carers - and as well as being available in shops and Shopmobility outlets throughout the country we actively distribute free copies at every notable disability event which takes place in the UK. They are going to give Blind Create a full page spread in their 20th edition that will be from 3 Jan to 31 March 2022. This should have a wide reaching impact and give Blind Create much needed exposure.’’
Ability Needs Magazine is run by Colin and Linda McNaught who are based in Aye in South West Scotland and they are particularly interested in what Blind Create is about and want to help promote it throughout the UK but the distribution of 110, 000 copies and 70, 000 digital copies as well.
Secondly - I am in discussion with Ebay UK and integrating my artwork including originals, and prints in the store and Blind Create to generate sales, UK and globally, within initially the time leading up to this Christmas. UnLtd are giving free support for integrating my artwork with Ebay, but this isn’t just about selling art work as Christmas gifts, Ebay are presenting my work with the specific story that I want to tell, to describe why I’m selling my artworks, and to promote Blind Create as an inclusive source of wellbeing for the general public. Ebay as a market place is now broadening their vision of inclusion has greatly interested me. I believe they can keep the true integrity of my art work while promoting the commercial aspect of my work. Along with this, I’ll be writing about this in the weeks ahead.
Ebay have a range of facilities and opportunities for new and social enterprise businesses so watch this space for further developments.
Dave’s Diary - 15th Blog
Robin - example acrylic painting by David on 12 Nov 2021
Robin - Acrylic painting of a beautiful robin:
The Robin is the cover for this weeks Blog, as this was Jemima’s choice for her painting this week. Jemima had assistance from her family and we had a such a hoot with ‘tweeting’ jokes and Batman and Robin. These sessions are about enjoying the experience of acrylic painting but also about enjoying ourselves. After a long week it is so good for the wellbeing to create and elevate our happiness and wellbeing so to speak. I wore a furry winter hat a bit like a bird watcher, and we drew the robin a good com[osotion on the paper. We painted the robin first and added lighter tones after 45 mins, and the background too. The Robin was my example shown here, but I hope I’ll be able to show Jemima’s at some point soon too.
Also last week, a catch up with Masis and Peter Lyne was very useful and productive and further ideas discussed about promoting Blind Create and enhancing Masis on the national and international stage. Please visit Masis to find out the latest developments happening.
3 painting videos -
I have also now re-included 3 videos to Blind Create which are amateur and I need to point out are temporary because of their ‘quality’. They are Painting stages 1 &2, and 3 &4, and ‘How to set up your workspace’. Please bear in mind that the lighting, sound and editing, could be a great deal better, but for the time being may be able to help some people understand about the process and how to paint. Ideally I am wanting to create a set of videos that are a required standard that may include Makaton communication with it. I have a good knowledge of Makaton due to my long experience in teaching, specifically in special needs, so considering many people benefit now with this communication for accessibility, this is my aim to introduce this in the new year.
Further developments are happening on davidgrigor.com with more artwork and store products being added to David’s Store, and with the lead up to Christmas already happening in the retail trade. Last week I spoke to my Ebay contact that’s associated with UnLtd, and I’m going to get assistance with integrating davidgrigor.com with Ebay in a specially business way. With the Christmas time approaching I hope this will prove very beneficial!
Until next week …
Dave’s Diary - 16th Blog
A productive week just gone:
Ebay UK:
Preparations to talk to Ebay about integrating Davidgrigor.com and Blindcreate.com are underway. This should open up the vast worldwide market place on offer, and Ebay’s business advice free. This is because Ebay Uk have gone into a partnership with Unltd UK to help entrepreneurs like myself to gain the best selling potential. So I’m due to talk to Ebay’s team on Wednesday and I hope to develop and change the website with an Ebay link.
I’m now discussing articles for 2 further ability magazines in the UK, both reaching audiences throughout the UK and whom have a very large number of readers.
Some of my blogs are going to include ideas for anyone who would like to start painting for the first time. Also we are now starting to approach Christmas time, with 5 weekends to go.
The painting I’ve used for this blog, is one of two which is a playful acrylic of wild animals. I like this image which has a child like quality to it.
Further developments are due next week, so keep watching this space.
Robin
Robin by Jemima
Robin:
A Robin red breast, with snow falling and pirched on a snowy branch - the setting for the yule time ahead- Christmas is on its way and Jemima painted this wonderful colourful painting of a robin which she did in 2 sessions. She sued the fan brush and flat brush and sponge in places to make the effect of feathers and leaves. We do have a lot of fun during these sessions, with jokes and laughter along the way, because these art sessions are about enjoying painting. The wellbeing and the therapeutic nature of painting is so important.
Ebay:
A zoom meeting this week with Ebay Support team provided much needed advice on what is needed for linking with Ebay. Why Ebay and how would this work for you as protective clients.
What Ebay then?
Ebay is in collaboration with UnLtd UK, they want to help social entrepreneurs like myself. They want o make selling and buying easier for everyone, keeping the inclusion and integrity a key factor. For me it would help to expose what I have to offer to many many more people in the UK but also globally.
How would this work for you?
You would be able to buy my work through auction in some cases, or spread payment over a period of time.
I am considering 10 initial artworks as a taster to see what sells, so keep watching the website to see the link to any listings especially in the lead up to Christmas.
Masis:
Further developments with Masis are happening, and this week discussed a possible idea that could be set up on Masis to showcase Art work by Blind Create clients work and my work with clients. We are discussing a way of the public being able to purchase prints (framed, unframed and a variety of products) of the art work and raise money for the charity, Blind Create and the the client.
Hopefully I can give further updates on this concept in the next few weeks.
2D & 3D Create:
I’m introducing 3D modelling for art sessions, as well as paintings sessions which have been going on for 5 months now. So modelling can include clay and crafts. Other 3D mediums require a different set up such as plaster, wood and metal which isn’t possible, but clay certainly is. If you’re inetrested, then I would recommend obtaining class clay in a small bag to start with. There is clay that can be fired in a domestic oven, so the is the easiest type to use, so that it does hard well enough to be effective. I would then guide how to paint the model if wanted, and to create some really great effects.
If you’re interested in some taster 3D sessions please drop me a line on the contact form.
Elf party
Elf Card
Hi folks, it has been a week of wonder. with the site developing a bit more, with an Elf party on Friday afternoon getting ready of Christmas. Also a feature in PosAbility magazine for Blind Create went out this week to many thousands of people to get the word out there that its a unique kind of service that is engaging and a lot of fun as well.
PosAbility Magazine:
This week a slot opened up for an article about Blind Create in PosAbility monthly edition for the disability magazine. To access the story you will need to subscribe to the magazine. I hope to be able to show the link to the actual story on here during the week ahead, but until then, go to PosAbility to look at what the latest news is.
Elf party:
Jemima and her mascot Elf ‘Ricky Elf created a fantastic Elf Card with the help of her dad. I had the help of his mascot Elf Sully Elf who guided Jemima with how to paint the playful picture. I became a ventriloquist with Sully the cheeky Elf guiding Jemima with how to put the Elf painting together. It was a party, with fun and frolics, we really did have a laugh. and Jemima created a really great painting which I hope to show on the blog very soon.
Countdown to Christmas- Newer updated look for the website:
You may have noticed the yellow is now a light purple, as I hope this colour is a better visual for those with partial sight, its gentler and perhaps helps if you are dyslexic like myself. If you have any comments about it please let me know.
Also I have changed the landing page to a different painting and am changing other aspects to show a more festive website approaching Christmas. I hope you find something to buy for Christmas in 3 remaining weeks.
Ebay:
I’ll be putting a small selection of work on ebay this week, and plan to put a link to this soon, so look out for this too.
Until next week, what this space…
Tools for Creation
Posability Magazine has written a fantastic article in their Dec 2021 issue about Blind Create, which can been read in the News section on the website, titled ‘TOOLS FOR CREATION’ by Katie Campbell.
It’s featured on page 58-59 of the magazine, as a double page spread containing a write up and gallery of work produced by 2 clients and my examples.
This is a such a great article by Katie Campbell who has described Blind Create with flair and the gallery of images really gives light to our story.
About PosAbility Magazine - some parts pasted from their website:
‘‘PosAbility Magazine has been serving the disabled community for over 10 years. The magazine itself is a lifestyle magazine that specifically caters for disabled people and families with disabled children. We create a magazine that disabled people want to read and we strive to ensure that our magazine showcases a wide range of voices from the disabled community….
PosAbility exists to serve the disabled community, to showcase the voices of disabled people and to ultimately provide readers with a positive and thought-provoking magazine with relatable and enjoyable content.’’
Ability Needs Magazine will also be writing an article on Blind Create for their quarterly magazine 20th Edition that comes out in Jan- March next year.
Jemima completed her painting of Elf with Berty the Elf at her side and her dad, and Sully the Elf was with me. Visit the Grigor Gallery to join in the Elf party. You are most welcome!
Other developments have been happening last week, which are listed here:
15% Christmas Promotion: I have introduced a 15% promotion on all artwork over £95 with a code that will need to be applied at checkout. There are plenty of artworks to buy so visit the galleries and pick some artwork to give to someone for Christmas or buy for yourself.
The landing page: for David Grigor has been updated with a painting of mum and baby orangutangs , which I am very fond of. Due to the diversity of my artwork, it is far more apt to be saying that I have a broad range of work, instead of saying that landscape is my main theme. I’ve painted portraits and I’m hoping to put a new gallery up in the new year to represent these artworks.
Christmas landing page: This week I’m preparing a special Christmas image for the landing page and I’m going to put this onto some clothing own in my Store to those wanting to wear something Christmassy and have some cheer.
Background colour on website: I’ve also changed the background tone throughout the website, but this may change again, if you like it or want to comment please let me know if this works for you?
Masis - I’m discussing with Peter Lyne the founder of Masis about linking the Grigor Gallery with Masis for greater awareness and exposure. It’s a real possibility so we are looking at ways in which this may be able to work in the new year.
Next week will be the milestone 20th Blog - just before Christmas…
Dave’s Diary- 20th Blog 2021
Rockin Robin. Christmas Greetings.
The milestone 20th Blog for Blind Create.
This is the 20th Blog since its launch on 2 Aug 202. Next week will be Christmas weekend, so I’m taking a week break from writing.
This blog has been delayed due to unforseen circumstances, mainly because of a family bereavement and loss which has affected me deeply. Also the internet connection has been experiencing problems so hopefully this will be resolved quickly as it has affected a wide area. Thus this is being written on my mobile for the first time!
Given this I had hoped to give a full roundup of the developments from this year but this is likely to happen after Christmas for the 21st blog.
Ability Needs Magazine article Blind Create
Wishing you a Happy New Year. I also wish this is a hopeful New Year too, with the wish that during this new year many people can benefit from Blind Create. I’m hopeful for many new clients and for many developments to happen through this year.
This Christmas has been a difficult one for me personally. A very close family member passed away before Christmas which has affected me deeply. This is the reason for the delay in this blog and the previous one. I appreciate your understanding with this and I hope this year will bring many good things.
So to start the ball rolling for this year:
Firstly Ability Needs Magazine are featuring Blind Create in their 20th edition. I’m very pleased and proud about this and hope this will reach thousands of people across the UK and wider a field who access their website online. I’ll be writing about this in the next blog as it covers Jan - March.
I am starting up new art sessions this year in the next week and hope you will join me in the adventure of creating art work.
I’ll be introducing 3D art sessions, using clay and modelling mediums, so keep ‘an eye out’ for that , so to speak.
Until the next bog, have a good week…
Dave’s Diary - 22nd Blog 2022
For anyone reading my blog’s you may have notice a week has been missed out which was the weekend of the 8th and 9th. Due to un foreseen circumstances I wasn’t able to do a blog.
I can say that Ability Needs Magazine (the 2nd Magazine) to feature Blind Create in 2 months came out in early January and has featured a fantastic article in their quarterly edition thus for the next 3 months. The article can be viewed in the news section.
On Friday last week, in the first art session of 2022, Robbie the robot was started by Jemima, and in robot style dance mode, I took Jemima through the process of drawing out and painting a dancing robot within she and her dad (Lloyd) thoroughly enjoyed. I had a robot toy with me, and dressed up in a cycle helmet and silver face paint. It was a a great session to start the year with. The painting is unfinished, but we’re hoping to complete it this week.
So what aspirations do I have for this year, given this will the first full year for Blind Create?
I have high hopes and would like Blind Create to become known as the recommended art service by recognised charities and the media.
It would be great to grow Blind Create into a thriving community of clients and partners.
I envisage beginning subscriptions for clients and developing the website to take on a more efficient booking system and to hopefully begin recruiting.
Could this happen this year? I hope to be a steps closer to these goals.
I have more goals as well, and as time progresses, I’ll talk about these soon: such as making a unique video to capture the importance and popularity of Blind Create.
Watch this space for the next update.
Dave’s Diary - 23rd Blog 2022
Roddy the robot- Dave’s example.
Roddy the Robot by Jemima:
Roddy the Robot takes centre stage. This week he was completed along with micro chips, spanners and buts and bolts. A wonderful painting from Jemima, as she enjoyed painting all the features of the robot assisted form her dad. Please visit the Grigor Gallery with client work and find out for yourselves how good the sessions are.
Accessibility widget:
Blind Create is now developing well, but I am now considering adding a widget that would increase accessibility. Squarespace has accessibility all built in, which is why my site is built on this, but there are always developments that can be made. This widget would allow any user to decide between further accessibility or not. If the user chooses, they have several options which increase the lighting, contrasts and other visuals which assist those with sensory issues.
Masis:
Other developments are also taking shape with the advancements with Masis UK, and Peter Lyne’s place on the Management Team for the Collaborating Centre for Values-based Practice in Health and Social Care, St. Catherine's College, Oxford. There are opportunities ahead now for blind Create to be included in Webinars that are planned this year by the Collaboration Centre. This would be a fantastic opportunity to talk about the benefits of Blind Create. The Collaborating Centre also prides itself on communicating and networking with other high profile universities in the UK (including Cambridge). You will see the Cambridge University Press logo displayed on the home page of its website. It is also important to realise that Oxford University is the world's premier ranked university and (as you will see if you access the partners page of its website), the Collaborating Centre has many international associates. These are mostly from the academic, medical/scientific research and healthcare sectors.
Blind Create is part of the collaboration with Masis and the Collaboration Centre.
With this considered, Blind Create is being recognised as an important part of art as a therapy.
Dave Diary - 25th Blog 2022
Hi, this past week a new widget was added to my website, which is for greater accessibility. Look for the figure in a circle in the top right of the site on every page that opens up to 8 options for you to choose from. It’s provided by Userway. You click on the symbol and it opens into 8 boxes and between 1 or 4 options.
These are the functions you can try below. Please contact me if you have any questions or if you have any comments or suggestions. I can’t change the widget as its fixed, but if you have any comments about the widget I’ll be very interested to know your thoughts. If the widget isn’t helpful I can withdraw it from the site, but I really hope this does assists viewers.
The contents of the widget are as follows:
Contrast - box gives further contrast to the background.
Highlight Links - for giving better highlighting to links.
Bigger Text - for enlarging texts throughout the website.
Text Spacing - that enables text to be read a little more easily.
Pause Animations - for pausing moving images on the website if there are videos that are automatically activated, as this may or may not make viewing easier.
Dyslexia Friendly - The fonts change to a more readable text and enlarges the text to make the process easier. This actually made a difference for me as I have dyslexia and was surprised that the text was easier to read with this function.
Cursor - enhances, and enlarges the cursor.
Tool Tips - Further tips for more tools to help with accessibility.
Line Height - The line heights are widened by each choice.
Text Align - The text is made wider to allow reading easier.
So each of these options gives more choice for the viewer’s comfort for reading and viewing. However there is always scope for improvement as these tools only go so far to increase better accessibility, so this is only the next step in the development of the website. I continue to develop pages each week.
New video for Blind Create and YouTube. I’m going to make a new video to inspire new visitors to discover Blind Create. Watch this space in the forthcoming weeks.