Totally Blind

[woodelf]

I am totally blind, so my hands and all are my eyes, so anyone know whether I could insure my hands, fingers, etc -- but I aint no celebrity! Ta Muchly

[Ethel]

You can insure anything you like. Personal injury insurance would suit you.

The more you pay in, the higher the insurance cover.

[woodelf]

Thanks for that Ethel...and if you're the same Ethel who has helped me on many a question, Many Thanks for all that too. Ta Muchly.

[Ethel]

Can you read Braille?

I have always been envious of those who can keep their hands warm reading under the bedclothes (smiling face) and I have tried to learn but find it impossible.

[woodelf]

Yes Ethel, I can read braille, but you should give it another go - you don't have to use your fingers...smile...if you've got sight, just use that and memorise the dots...yeah and it'll probably send you dotty...smile...but how do ya think I got to be like I am?...smile. woodelf

[Ethel]

It would send me more than dotty, I'm sure!

Maybe I am dotty as I wear gloves to read in bed. Bit fiddly though.

The answer, of course, is to use audio books but I'm deaf.

They could just about make a good one out of the two of us...smile

[woodelf]

By heck Ethel, you must read some hot stuff if you've got to wear gloves...smile!

[Ethel]

I hope I'm represented by a good voice, if that is the way you use the internet. I don't want to sound like Peggy Mount!

Maybe you have a Braille reader attached to the pc?

[woodelf]

No Ethel, you definitely do not sound like Peggy Mount - my ears couldn't stand her...smile...it's a male voice I use with my screen reader...don't feel offended...smile...it's a good clear voice, whereas the female ones are either too breathy or harsh. I prefer speech to a braille display and anyway, I can write braille better than I can read it and I prefer to use my fingers for more important things...like writing and painting...I'm so sorry you can't enjoy audio books...I know how important they are to me.

[Ethel]

You paint - did you have sight at one time? Or do you paint what you feel, physically and emotionally.

Hope I don't appear crass ...worried smile

[fishy-finger]

how do you read this if you are blind? I am ever so intrigued.

[bednobs]

lol fishyfinger ...... do YOU read? Woodelf has answered that in their answers!

[fishy-finger]

hey now that was a bit harsh bednobs. english was my worst subject at school and some words I find hard reading

[Ethel]

lol

Fishy-finger has proved that 'there are none so blind as those that will not see.'

[woodelf]

Don't worry Ethel, you're not being crass. Yes, I did paint before blindness and I still do now...after a fashion...smile...both physically and emotionally and if you are interested, I can give you the address of my website where some of my paintings are displayed....and stop fighting you two...FF and Bed....!

[woodelf]

Hi Zacsmaster, I'm not sure my paintings were done by pure emotion, more like pure memory (with a little help) and they are representational and are stripped right down technique-wise...stripped down?...oh yeah, there's a nude in them too...smile.

[Ethel]

I would love to see your painting too, woodelf.

Is the nude a self-portrait? ....cheeky smiley

[woodelf]

No Ethel, the nude isn't a self portrait, sorry...smile, but I had to do the pose myself as who is gonna believe I can paint and would pose for me? Anyway, if you don't want to read through the text on the site, go to gallery. the site address is...

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/theartsight

and I'd be interested in any comments, good, bad or indifferent - and there's a video on the site as well...aaargh!

[Ethel]

I have read the text of your website and watched the video, which is literally eye opening. You have developed a technique that works very well for you.

Looking at the gallery, I particularly like May Morning. May is my favourite month, and this painting shows everything I love about springtime. The colours and form are joyous and seem to celebrate just 'being'. The shapes are not as simple as first supposed and indeed have a lot of texture and detail. A three dimensional effect.

The other one that draws me is Je Suis Seule, maybe because I have just read a particularly distressing news item. The colours are quite incredible, brown is often flat and dull but your painting is quite impassioned.
It is not necessary to read the text nor the title to get the sense of despair.

I have no artistic skill whatsover,and am not at all dexterous, so I am filled with envy at your talent.

I have a very skilled friend who lacks confidence with a paintbrush, and I am going to forward this chat to her. I am sure she will get lots of inspiration from your website.

Thank you.