Dave’s Diary - 26th Blog 2022

Background change:

I’ve changed the background colour to the website to yellow. I’m trying different contrasting colours that are considered recommended colours to use for accessibility. Also I’m including further information under the artwork made in the art sessions in the Grigor Gallery.

Jemima’s Pirate:

Captain Gumbeard was completed on Friday and she enjoyed using finger painting techniques and sponge work. The super painting shows the pirate on deck of the pirate ship, with bolts of lightening in the background. Go to the Grigor Gallery to view the fantastic painting.

T- shirts:

Now the gallery of artwork Jemima has been producing has given rise to an idea. I am going to transfer some of the latest paintings made in the art sessions onto t-shirts. I’m using the examples I’ve created first, to find out if these will be popular. If they sell, the profits will go towards further development for the website.

Different Art mediums:

To develop the site further and to show how Blind Create is very much a tool for art therapy - I’m creating some pages soon about using different mediums such collage, oil pastel, chalk pastel, colour pencil, pencil, charcoal and watercolour and 3D clay work. Using these mediums by themselves and collectively as mixed media. I’ll use one theme to explore how to use these mediums.

During this week I’m also talking to Pete Lyne, Founder of Masis (Mobility and Support Information Service) about the developments with the Oxford University Collaboration Centre, VBP which stands for Values Based Practice -valuesbasedpractice.org and that I may be involved soon with Webinars being held. They are increasingly aware of the benefits that I provide with Blind Create.

Dave’s Diary - 27th Blog

Chim - chimney - chim - chimney - chim- chim- chimmey…. (part of the song from Bed knobs and broomsticks) Jemima has started to paint a fantastic chimney sweep for the new project this week. We are using a variety fo collage and mixed media for this painting. I dressed up in a ‘Bed knobs and Broomsticks’ outfit for Dick Van Dyke’s Chimney sweep character. We are calling our sweep - ‘‘Arfur Sweep’’ as it sounds a bit like ‘‘half a sweep’’ or ‘‘alf- a- sleep’’. The image shows the painting so far, as we are building up several layers of this wonderful picture.

I’ve now added some t-shirt prints to David’s Store on my website with the ‘‘Pirate Caption Gumbeard’’ and ‘‘Roddy the Robot’’ in children’s, women’s and men’s sizes with the choice of a variety of colours.

As I mentioned in last weeks blog, I’m compiling some artworks that show the use of different media and it’ll be featured on a page that i’ll add to Blind Create. It will be aimed at all generations.

Dave’s Diary - 28th Blog

Arthur Sweep the chimney sweep was completed on Friday and after using collage, painting and printing it’s another triumph for Jemima. She had assistance from her parent- Lloyd, and she was given a number of choices for the background and features. I dressed up in coney outfit, hat, scarf and ready with Arfur Sweep (my handy brush) to sweep the painting into gear. The painting for this blog is the finished article and a brilliant one it is too.

I hope that anyone reading this will be curious about how good the art sessions are for self confidence and how therapeutic art can be. As I guide Jemima through each step of her project, she has time to make choices with colours, colour mixing, how to apply the colour or the collage. Its a very enjoyable time.

T-shirts:

I have designed t-shirts form both Jemima’s paintings and my examples, to find out how popular they might be. Jemima’s paintings are very effective on t-shirts so please visit ‘My Store’ where the t-shirts are different colours, and sizes and for men, women and in some cases for children -boys and girls.

Other developments are happening soon, so keep revisiting to find out what’s new next…

Dave’s Diary - 29th Blog

New video for Blind Create:

This week I’ve started to make a new video for Blind Create that will be for use on YouTube and Facebook. It’s likely to take several weeks to make and aims to be entertaining and show how Blind Create works. It aims to be a development on previous videos which hive some guidance to painting and drawing. Please note that making a video is not easy, in fact the work undertaken to make a video work is extensive.

Art tuition throughout March and April:

Art tuition is available throughout March and April so keep visiting Blind Create to check these out. I’m looking into a more advanced booking system that Squarespace offers, but to do this I will need to have more clients, as there is a price to upgrade.

Instagram:

This is the next platform I’m looking into and will attempt to develop with images and information. This will be first time joining Instagram so it will be a big learning curve.

Dave’s Diary - 30th Blog!

This is to celebrate my 30th Blog! The 3rd milestone in this incredible journey for Blind Create.

I’m currently preparing a YouTube video for Blind Create that I hope it will interest a lot of people. It’s a kind of rap, and this is an example of what it will sound like:

Imagine you’re creating,
A delightful painting,
Even if you can’t see,
It could make you glee,
I can guide you each week,
To reach your potential,
Just think of what you could make,
And what it could take?

You can paint, collage or print,
That’s just giving a hint,
Or clay, craft and paste,
To enlighten your taste,
For the ideas we can use are endless,
And your work can be tremendous,
So why not try a session,
And make it your mission,
To be a great artist,
With full of promise.

YO!

There will be a beat sound track as back ground so watch out for this soon. If you like this, let me know!

I really hope that if you’re reading this, you’ll like what’s on offer. I would love to hear from you, so please reach out and let me know what you think.

Dave’s Diary - 31st Blog

This blog is a few days late. I’m developing a few things for Blind Create and I forgot to write this blog until now.

Jemima started a different idea on Firday called Space bunny. we had a 2 week break, and returned to start a space them with a bunny - quite fitting as Easter is around the corner. So started using silver foil for the space helmet and paint for the background. We’ve working on it so the front illustration is my half completed version at the moment.

I’m hoping to talk to some organisations about promoting Blind Create which are likely to write articles and include a story about Blind Create. I’ll post the date when this may happen.

Also I’m going to join Disability Arts Online and begin using their tools to appeal to other artists and general public - they offer a blog to talk about the latest news online, which should be useful fo Blind Create.

Watch this space…

Dave’s Diary - 32nd Blog

Jemima completed her Space rabbit called Neil, she named her astronomical piece Neil (likely after Neil Armstrong - the first man on the moon who apparently originated from a part of the UK namely the Borders). Neil Space rabbit was made over 2 sessions using paint and collage, and using a variety of techniques that were manageable for Jemima. She used glue and collage to make the helmet using black tissue paper, then paint to create the Doctor Who tunnel background that made her work look like a time travel tunnel with vivid colours mixed in. She then sued sponge and fingers to paint the features of the helmet and the rabbit’s features. It’s one of the best art works so far!

Also I’m going to join Disability Arts Online and begin using their tools to appeal to other artists and general public - they offer a blog to talk about the latest news online, which should be useful fo Blind Create.

I’m also talking to ‘Outside In’ which caters for Disabled Artists so I am hoping to develop some interest with this online group.

Watch this space…

Dave’s Diary - 33rd Blog

This week I joined the newsletter for Outside In. As described on their website ‘‘Outside In is a catalyst for change. Founded in 2006, it is now an established national charity that aims to provide a platform for artists who face significant barriers to the art world due to health, disability, social circumstance or isolation. Outside In’s work covers three main areas: Artist development, exhibitions and training. These activities, supported by fundraising and communications, all aim to create a fairer art world by supporting artists, creating opportunities and influencing arts organisations.’’ I’m about to talk to them to find out what possibilities are ahead for Blind Create.

I’ve also contacted Disabilities Art Online to find out how to start blogging with them and to put ut further articles. Disabilities online is a vast organisation operating internationally, over almost every sector of Art Forms and catering for many communities. I suspect there’s more I can learn about Blogging and develop Blind Create more through this organisation.

Dave’s Diary - 34th Blog

Hi everyone, I’m going to try and attempt my first Vlog next week for Easter so prepare for a video if you’re following these Blogs. I hope the updates each week and the stories of each development are interesting to read. Progress with anything new sometimes seems slow, sometimes fast, but with my story it has been a bit of a mixture. I hope that more people will be interested in tuition and book some sessions.

New video on the way:

I’m making a new video to promote Blind Create that’s a bit of a rap… that’s right I’m doing. kind of a rap type video, which I think might inspire many to take up the art sessions. I haven’t done anything quite like this, but want to try something interesting and it occurred to me that it could be entertaining for people to see a song with a rhyme and beat and a catchy tune. The rhyme is what I’ve put together just myself, so it’s very homegrown so to speak. I’ve also called upon a friend to help me with this, who has been a rapper in his time.

Hope you like it when I make it public here.

If you would like to share any of your stories, I would really like to hear form you, so send my a message and I’ll get back to you.

Dave’s Diary - 35th Blog which is my 1st Vlog:

Click here to view my 1st Vlog :)

Blind Create Vlog no.1

Dave’s Diary - 36th Blog and my 2nd Vlog:

My 2nd Blog can be viewed here:

Vlog 2.

My Blog this week was delayed a bit as I sorting out my Rap which you can view below on the link below

Blind Create Rap No1.

I’ve also pasted the lyrics for you to read if you’re interested below:

Yo everyone, hope you’re well,
This is my rap, my show and tell,
If you like art and want to know more,
This can open your eyes galore,
For anyone with accessible needs,
I hope you can see I aim to please.

Imagine you’re creating,
A delightful painting,
Even if you can’t see,
It could make you feel glee,
I can guide you each week,
To reach your potential,
Just think of what you could make,
And what it could take?

You can paint, collage or print,
That’s just giving a hint,
Or clay, craft and paste,
To enlighten your taste,
For the ideas we can use are endless,
And your work can be tremendous,
So why not try a session,
And make it your mission,
To be a great artist,
With full of promise.

Try using a sponge, brush or hand,
And mixing colour bright not bland,
Use paper, board or canvas,
And make your dreams ravenous,
Learn how to compose your masterpiece,
It’s like being Royal at your own feast,
So taste the desire to paint,
You can be the chef of the decade!

From the great artist, old and modern,
You could be known not forgotten,
Feel the passion to try a portrait,
Or the lust for a landscape,
It’s in you DNA,
So try it for a day,
So give Blind Create a go,
You’ll love it - I know!

YO!

Dave’s Diary - 37th Blog

Visitors:

The website is seeing a growing number of visitors from around the world, which I’m very encouraged by, and have set up a welcome section to anyone reading this from overseas.

Those in the UK are also visiting which is equally as good so please keep checking in to find out what’s happening and all developments.

Rap:

The Rap is getting further viewings on Youtube so I hope it continues to get good vibes from everyone who watches it. You can access it on ‘‘Blind Create welcome page.’’

Blogging:

I am also planning to do blogging on ‘‘Disabilites Online’’ for the UK site, so keep tuning in to find out more about this.

Website font colour:

I’ve changed the colour of the fonts on a selection of pages from black to purple, which is a good contrasting colour to yellow, as it’s a secondary colour on a primary colour background, just the same as this colour of font.

I’m regularly looking to update and develop the website as best as I can, so if you have any positive suggestions please let me know.

Many thanks.

Dave’s Diary - 38th Blog

Blind Create - illustration of a studio set up:

I’ve added a new acrylic painting to illustrate what a home studio set up could look like during Blind Create art tuition. The set up shows a laptop on the left facing an easel with a stretched canvas opposite so that I can see and guide a client with what is being painted.

There is a pallet with colour layer out and brushes ready to paint. The window with the landscape scene is there for a reminder of a landscape and to give the painting a kind of narrative.

The painting is here and is on A3 canvas unstretched If you like this painting and would like a copy please let me know and I can put a button on the Store of frame prints.

I’ve purposefully used striking colours in particular to highlight contrast in the compositive-

• The background is purple and the use of orange and green are in various features in the subject as secondary colours.

• Yellow, red and blue is also used to highlight specific areas of interest as primary colours.

You may note the use of lines in the composition which interest and in some cases go through objects and beyond features such as the easel. These lines help with the construction and mechanics of the composition. They add to the movement in the artwork and how our ‘eye’ moves around the painting. The angles coincide with angles of the features on different sides of the painting and this helps the balance of the image.

Dave’s Blog: Paint your vision with Blind Create

This week I am very pleased to join Disability Art Online and will be doing a weekly Blog as one of their new bloggers.

I am also now giving each Blog a title, and the the first Blog is ‘Paint your vision with Blind Create’.

My profile says something like this:

‘‘Blind Create is a specialist online art tuition service for Blind and partially sighted people and for anyone else as well. I'm David Grigor, the Founder and Director of Blind Create which is quite a unique platform for 1-1 art tuition using most forms of video link. It enables anyone to make art work that they want during a hour hour session, and with my guidance, choosing colour, mixing and applying using different techniques are part of the creating process.

I write a weekly Blog, that's now becoming a vlog too, and I have a gallery for art work produced by clients, and a print service that enables different products to be printed form you artwork if you wish.

I would like my weekly Blogs to be shown on Disability Online for many more people to enjoy and to benefit from. My blogs describe the story of Blind Create and how each week brings further developments. I hope you enjoy the journey for Blind Create and become part of the story.’’

The Blog is now available on Disability Arts Online titled: Paint Your Own Vision

I’m delighted to be part of DAO Disability Arts online and to write about Bind Create for fellow disabled artists and for anyone else whose interested.

Dave’s Blog: ‘Finding our Feet’

‘Finding our Feet’

Blind Create is ‘Finding our Feet’ after having now joined Disability Arts Online (DAO) last week and writing Blogs to describe the progress and development of this unique venture. I’ve actually delighted that I’m part of this organisation so I joined joined the Directory on DAO too, which opens up further opportunities. So please follow Blind Create on DAO on their website and Facebook which I’ve also joined and begin walking with me to create a better world for those with a disability and for any one else as well.

My Blog for DAO:

Just as starting a painting or art work, the process of finding the feet is an ongoing process, of knowing what you want to compose then working through each step to create your artwork or musical piece. I’ve regarded Blind Create in the same way, just as when painting or creating any artwork the composition often changes and parts of an image develops in ways unexpected. The same is said for almost any creative process. For me as someone who has always struggled with writing and composing essays, the thought of composing Blogs was quite a challenge for me, but my focus is my venture, that’s attached to my own art website, an I feel this is a step in the right direction. The challenge is to create a vision of hope for people who want to paint but don’t know how to. To do this my venture aims to show the ‘steps’ to help self confidence. So it’s about ‘finding our feet’ and knowing that when we start an art work we usually find it can take small steps of change to achieve our goals.

Building the foundations

As with building a house, mansion or palace, building a venture requires foundations that are secure and solid. This takes time and takes knowledge, which is what is happening to Blind Create. Several developments have been happening in the last week, including my Blog on Disability Art Online.

Each piece in the building makes a difference, so I’ve also joined the Directory on Disability Art Online, to talk about Blind Create, and to take advantage of a good footfall of people who read the stories. And each brick is a step in the right direction.

I would like to imagine being the architect of this venture, creating the space, functions, and vision of a successful idea. So as each week passes, new ideas come to light and dveloping existing opportunities are keeping the venture fresh.

Until next week keep revisiting and find out for yourself what’s new.

Ambition

I have an ambition to reach people in the UK and across the world and help them develop their creative ambitions primarily in art. I’m talking about ‘ambitions’ because I’m driven by the positivity of ambition and that what I’m doing with Blind Create is ambitious. I would like to draw a parallel with the amazing breathtaking celebrations in central London, UK over the weekend which have been inspiring to watch and show how ambitious and successful many people are who had taken part. As a British artist and educator watching the performances, I felt an overwhelming feeling of inspiration that makes me want to reach my potential in order to help others achieve theirs too.

As the weekend gathered pace in London and around the UK, many millions of people must have felt a great ambition to do their best during the occasion and to enjoy themselves. Perhaps there was a similar feeling in different places around the world as well. That’s what I hope is coming across with my ambition for Blind Create and my website, because it is a display of what I can do and to keep developing what my strengths I have to inspire others.

Play with paint

When we think of playing - do we presume it's about young play or being about a playing sport? Or can we imagine actually playing with something like paint as a grown up? I think it can be just as much a process of playing with paint when we're exploring art as an adult as it is when we're young. I've always regarded my painting as an exploration to explore my strengths and I've felt the benefit of 'playing' with paint that happens when any art work develops.

I chose to talk about this considering some of the artwork I've created is very different in composition and theme, but my approach has in most cases to be expressive and to play with 'mistakes' that happen. In a way this idea of play can be realised in the Grigor Gallery for Blind Create clients and the range of ideas and painting, because it's about discovery and having some fun in the process.

Pastures to flourish

Like a herd of horses looking for fertile ground to graze and flourish, I’d like to use this metaphor to describe how I’d like to establish pastures to develop Blind Create. I’d like to think that Blind Create and the ideas within my endeavour is searching for pastures to flourish like horses, and this can take time.

Horses are powerful, majestic, and nurturing animals, and many artists through the centuries have depicted them in Fine Art history in many different ways. I painted this acrylic painting to depict how I view horses because I see them as a creature of grandeur of the animal kingdom. The horses are be standing and clustered together to show a harmony and a stability within their adventure of seeking pastures to flourish. Do you see the same in this painting?

Some people might think the same or something differently, but its the same idea that I’m attempting to show with Blind Create. I like to think that there is a story of some kind, or a purpose to what I create, and that’s why all my artwork has a story to tell, a purpose which is why it was created. and this goes for Blind Create and the stories behind each artwork made.

Drawing or sketching?

What’s the difference, or is there a difference? There could be quite a debate on this question. I would like to think that sketching is a more immediate quick mark making process by which we can use pencil, pen or any other mark making medium. This would be to make a record of our response to something we see or imagine. Whereas a drawing is more considered way of making tones and marks on the surface. Without trying to sound like dictionary on this, I’d like to find out what other people think?

I’ve always regarded my instant, quick responses to moments where I grab a pencil, charcoal, or pen, and make a quick recording of something interesting a sketch. How many artists think the same way? Perhaps they do or perhaps this is too conventional in its simplicity. I would like to take you to my pen, ink and wash drawings I have on my website which I consider drawings, because if I were to call them sketches, I feel it would imply that they’re incomplete, but that’s what I think.

And that’s the point of this Blog- the point being that when we sketch something, at least when I sketch, I’m considering that a sketch may become a drawing with further emphasis of line, shade or tone. Therefore the ideas that I’ve developed in my own work I am developing into a 'bigger picture' so to speak.

So can a sketch be just as much a drawing? Perhaps it can, and I would welcome your thoughts?

The artwork shown is in pencil. Is it a sketch or a drawing or both? I’ve leave you to decide…