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.