Next month I am taking part in an exciting digital art expo here in the Cowichan Valley with about 12 other artists. If you’ve known me for some time, you’ll know that various physical and mental health challenges have placed a lot of limitations on my life. Extreme fatigue is my present condition, but that’s a story for another day.
Along with the limitations of invisible illnesses, comes real limitations on all areas of our lives, especially our creative lives. When dealing with invisible illnesses, creative pursuits are often the first thing to go when time and energy is of a premium. As part of the art expo, I’m hoping to present a short talk about digital art called “Making Art Accessible for People with Disabilities and Infirmities”.
For me, digital art has become a real life changer, returning to me the ability to “paint” acrylics again using the computer (e.g. “Purple Heart”) without the physical strain of leaning over a huge canvas, not to mention all the time and energy associated with setting up and cleaning up.
My talk is geared from the vantage point of a person with disabilities. I would love to include a couple of “mini-stories” about other people who have likewise experienced an improvement in their quality of life. I would prefer this to be people I have had a long connection with, just because I would love to talk about how wonderful you are, but I’m happy if the story is about someone I will come to describe as a beautiful soul!
If the talk goes well, I would like to expand it and turn it into a small e-book. While digital photography is outside the scope of my talk, I’d be happy to include you in the e-book if digital photography has likewise enriched your life. If you would like to be included in the e-book, I will make an agreement with you to give you a small percentage of any income I make from publishing the e-book.
I will show you the talk prior to the presentation (July 14) and the e-book prior to publication (hopefully later this year).
If you are interested, I would appreciate some or all of the following information (as long as you feel comfortable providing it):
- – your name or pseudonym
- – your limitations or disabilities – you can make this very general if you don’t want to go into specifics
- – software used – how you create your digital art (renders, fractals, paintings, photocollages)
- – benefits of making digital art – how digital art has enabled you to lead a more creative life, or any other benefits it has given you
- – art – one or two samples of your art (you can give me a link to your website or online gallery to include in the talk/e-book)
I hope to hear from you!
Blessings,
Jane
4 Responses
You will make a difference to so many people reaching out this way. I am so proud of you and so excited that you are going to share your story and others. Sometimes we need a guide to help us to find our way and you are that for me and more people than you realize!!
Thank you, Sweetie – I'm working on feeling that way. *huggles* and lots of love xxxx
Excellent. Love the e-book idea and will certainly order copies when it is published.
xoxo from Alberta
Thank you, Dr Mary – it's wonderful to have your support! Lots of love, xxxx