I have a question for you.
What would you do if you woke up blind tomorrow? Does the thought make you sick to your stomach – to realize that you will never be able to see or create art? Or would you be up to the task of spending the rest of your life doing something else?
This is how I feel: The thought of never being able to see or make paintings and drawings ever again…it makes me feel empty. I would almost rather lose my hands. Because at least then I would be able to enjoy looking at art, even if I couldn’t paint.
If you don’t feel the same way, I would seriously question if your are ready for an art or illustration career. You have to be able to work through many, many difficult challenges — learning how to draw and paint, financial troubles, creative blocks, and making a successful business — just to name a few. If you can imagine yourself being happy doing something else, I am inclined to say to do that instead, because you’d probably have an easier time at it.
Simply put, you won’t make it unless you are really committed to your craft. You have to be able to do what it takes. As a visual artist, your worst nightmare should be going blind. Then you know you’re in the right business.
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I just had an eye exam and there was another test that the doctor reccommended me to get….which raised this exact question that you are pondering now. I also think about if I got into an accident of sorts and lost my arm, what would I do? I thinkI would draw anyways using my feet, mouth, whatever I can!
Yikes, this all sounds so grim! But oh definitely going blind would be my worst nightmare.
I have terrible vision, to the point that even with correction I can’t see well enough to pass the eye exam for a driver’s license. I started wearing glasses at 3 years old. Thankfully for my art, it’s my distance vision which is the problem but it scares me. I know I’m at a high risk for retinal detachment, and other problems as I get older. I think it’s scary for any artist to think of losing their vision but when it’s already compromised it becomes even worse, you know you can’t take it for granted.
I will not say that a blind or armless person can not create art because some dissabled artists out there could be a litle bit disturbed. I am not an artist nor a dissabled person but I think that this kind of commentaries can hurt someone, specially in a very popular web site like yours
best regards
It’s a complex thought– blindness through macular degeneration, accident, etc.
But let me direct your attention to the John Tracy Clinic: http://www.johntracyclinic.org/
The son of Spencer and Louise Tracy (yes THAT Spencer Tracy), the organization provides free services for deaf and blind children. The rub is, John Tracy (an lover of art and cartoons, especially Disney and Chester Gould) was born simply deaf, then developed macular degeneration (blindness) as he grew up.
A difficult situation for sure.
Point being, there are worse things than “just” going blind, and Art is a way of thinking. Human beings never fail to amaze…
National Exhibits by Blind Artists, Inc. (NEBA)– http://www.artbeyondsight.org/
Good comments, everyone. I did not mean to imply that blind people can’t create art, or that being blind would be the end of the world. It’s just a scary thought for someone who works visually every day. Thanks for the NEBA link, JB. It just goes to show that if you love it enough, you find a way. This article is intended to make artists think about this kind of thing – do you love art enough to find a way to make it part of your life? If not, then it would be very hard for you to break into the competitive business of illustration.
My Aunt was an artist and also a diabetic. I’ve grown up with many of her works in our house. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a few years later started going blind while she was getting a Master’s in Art Education. She was doing student teaching at the time. Her eye site deteriorated fast, so she changed her thesis to teaching art to the blind. She got her degree while she lost her site. Unfortunately, she died a few years later due to her childhood onset Diabetes. This is obviously a very sad way to end the story, but had she lived I believe that she would have enjoyed teaching art to the blind for the rest of her life. We have some sculpture that she made after she went blind it is a constant reminder of her courage to me.
That’s my biggest fear too. Even though I’m just getting started with serious drawing, my hobbies have always been drawing, photography and designing websites. If I didn’t have my vision or hands I’d probably go insane.. I have so much respect for people that can’t see because people that can deal with blindness are extremely strong. I know I wouldn’t be able to handle it..
Hi Dani,
I was in the eleventh grade when I was sucker punched in my right eye. At that time I thought I would never see out of my eye again. As I lay in bed, most of my thoughts were of all the cool art I wanted to create but, couldn’t for lack of strength. And, the doctor told me to rest the other eye. I know it’s not the same but, it helped me to understand this post better. Eventually, I regained my vision in my right eye. Although, for a long time my vision in that eye was a little darker than my left one due to blood that had covered my eye from the impact of the other student’s fist. Or the impact of my face to the hard concrete. I don’t which. Either way I’m fine now. :)
Hi to all,
It really surprise me your question. But even I can’t see, there’s four senses to us. I think I will try with other kind of art: sculpture, jewels and even painting. Why not? I won’t be the best on that, but I will be the happiest.
What’s more important, you never give up on that if you really love that.
i agree with the above post (ethan)
i’d be keen to say a true artist is one who can transcend their chosen medium. whether that be visual, audio, spoken, performed, etc.
the whole post of what an artist ‘should’ think or that creating something visually is the only thing that should make you happy sounds like a big wank of a walking cliche` in my books.
I have thought several times about that, and seeing as I enjoy visual arts and music in an equal basis, I’d probably just commit myself to learning bass guitar like crazy and be like those famous blind blues players.
As much as I understand the “commitment” you refer to in order to make it in art, I don’t share your draconian point of view in that respect. Art cannot be pigeonholed into a determined medium or technique, and whatever allows you to exploit your creativity is fair game in my book. Of course, I hope I never lose any of my senses, let alone my 20/20 vision… but if I have learned something on these last few, rough years (for me anyways) is that life must go on, regardless of the bumps you find across the road. If you can’t do X, then try to be happy doing Y, and carry on.
Wow, there is alot of discussions going on here.
There seems to be alot of mentioning of art not being confined to a visual medium, but as an artist/illustrator who supports myself with that medium (and also, my PREFERRED medium), it would be very devestating. Of course, there are other outlets I will probably pursue if I were to go blind but it will not be the same personally.
BTW I am back because I wanted to award you with the You Make my Day award. Come see my blog for more details!
I too have had the same fears. I’ve worn glasses or contacts since I was a child and wonder what my future holds. I try to keep things in perspective and illustrate as much as time allows me. I also eat a lot of spinach!
I read a novel recently by Orhan Pamuk, My name is Red, It was a surprise to find out that mainly it’s a story about illustrators in the Islmaic empire, who spend their lives doing meticulous illustrations for manuscripts and for whom the greatest honor in life, or their biggest accomplishment was to go blind in their old age… That would mean that they spent their lives and their eyes, working relentlessly at the drawing board… Becoming blind apart form being a token of distinction among the rest of their fellow illustrators ( with some even faking it or forcing sharp objects into their eyes) it was also a philosophical return to God and nothingness. It’s pretty interesting to read about a different approach to blindness and art, history and philosophy ..Oh, and also it’s a thriller…
If I lost my vision, I’d be heartbroken. However, I’d pick myself up and find another way to work visually. I would abandon painting, for certain, but I might pick up sculpture. I’d definitely also learn a musical instrument (or five).
Off-topic: I’ve been reading through your entire site over the last two months, Dani, and I think this is my first comment. It’s absolutely wonderful, and I wanted to thank you for taking the time to share so many insights, experiences and pieces of information with us all. Cheers!