Tools for Creation

Blind Create is a new social enterprise encouraging blind and partially sighted people to create their very own artwork, guided by an artist with over 25 years of experience teaching the craft

Creating art isn’t just about the process of making something beautiful - it’s a tried and tested method of boosting self-esteem, and - per Harvard Health - can have a tremendously positive effect on overall mental health. Art therapy can be extremely beneficial for people living with depression, anxiety, mental health conditions and dementia. It provides a creative outlet that can be used with patients, both young and old, to calm the mind, work through feelings and give purpose. However, for many people living with sight loss, art can feel out of reach. There are not many inclusive creative art classes that are designed to guide people living with visual impairments. That is, until David Grigor developed Blind Create. Blind Create is a social enterprise that aims to make teaching and learning art more accessible for blind and partially sighted people. He wants to use the enterprise to rekindle a love of art in all people, and utilise technology in order to deliver teaching sessions to anyone who would like to learn and enjoy art. David is no stranger to teaching - for much of the last 25 years, he’s been teaching art in one way or another to a whole host of people across the world. Having spent time in England, Scotland, Brazil, Canada, and the United States, he’s taken his love of both art and teaching with him wherever he’s gone. Previously, he’s been the head of art at a SEND school in London, and from November 2012 to February 2020, he was an art instructor at a Scottish charity for blind and partially sighted veterans. Blind Create was conceptualised during the lockdown, and offers teaching sessions via video link. Combining his seven years of experience in teaching art to blind and partially sighted people with the rise of video calling, David saw an opportunity to help people who wanted to get into art during the lockdown but weren’t exactly sure how to go about it without guidance. Leaning into his previous experience, David understands that sight can be affected in different ways, of course, and this means that there are a host of different approaches that can be taken in the creation of art. Some people may also gravitate more towards different mediums - like watercolour or gauche - as well as a host of different techniques which can be taught over the course of a Blind Create session. Participants can learn lots of things that they may have forgotten from school, including the theory of colour, composition, and the principals of design. Additionally, if they live with colour blindness, David can integrate that into lessons. All individual requirements are taken into consideration, and anything that will help the participant feel comfortable will be required where possible. All that’s asked for the sessions is that participants bring their own art equipment - all of which is detailed on the website - and that there is a a good internet connection to allow them to show their work on camera as it is created. Patricia, a Blind Create client, said in a testimonial: “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 has been affected in the past by cataracts. “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,” she continued. “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.” Blind Create sessions can be booked now on David’s website, DavidGrigor.com, and are £45 per one hour of specialist teaching. Sessions can be held on whichever platform is most accessible, including Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, Zoom, Skype and Teams. For more information on how to book a class, or on what the classes will entail, visit DavidGrigor.com.

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