Creating Inspiration from Withing

Whenever I sit down to paint, I go through a process placing myself in a certain scenery and take the time to feeling the wind, taking in the smells and enjoying the surroundings. Its’ like going into a state o

f meditation. At the same time, I am able to take advantage of images wherever I can find them, such as the internet, photos, magazines, etc.


"Sanctuary 2011" acrylic on canvas By Michael A. Williams

It has becomes quite challenging when utilizing photos from any source due to my visual impairment. You see, I was born with an eye disorder called Stargardt’s Disease, which affects the central part of the eye or the macular. My sight started deteriorating when I was a teenager and the deterioration stabilized when I reached my mid 20s and remained the same ever since. However, I have taken to improvising what I cannot see and still accomplish my goal of producing a great work of art.
As I continue the process of painting, I have to utilize some technology, such as a close circuit television, to aid me in reading the colors on the tubes and bottles of paints. The CCTV acts as an electronic magnifier and some low tech items, such as a hand held magnifying glass to help me see some of the items in a photo, which still doesn’t help much and plenty of lighting to aid me in seeing some, about 400 watts should do the trick.  I like to start off painting in the sky for it sets the tone of what mood I am in. Do I wish for a morning sunrise or evening sunset or maybe a stormy sky.  Weather in a painting enables me to determine what subject I want to include in my painting and how simple or sophisticating I wanting the painting to become.
Some works may take a couple of days or a couple of years o produce. When you’re  visually impaired it take a little more involvement and it can become a little mind draining than normal.   As a visually impaired artist, I get the pure enjoyment of creating beauty my way and on my terms. I can say a part of me goes into every piece I produce for I am having to utilize my imagination and heart. Yes, the challenges are there, but, I learn while doing and crate with inspiration.

Uniquewanders Art Gallery and Studios -Online Art Gallery http://www.uniquewanders.com

About Creative Insight

Creative Insight is about the way I see the world through my eyes and capture it on canvas. My name is Michael A. Williams and I am visually impaired artist from Memphis, Tennessee. I have been drawing and painting since the age of 14 and enjoy it vey much. Art is my way of writing or playing music. I communicate through color, shapes and inspiration.
While growing up I always knew I was different. I knew I was having difficulties seeing things and no one noticed it until I was a teenager. During the time of discovery, I was diagnosed with Stargardps; Disease, a macular degenerative disorder that affected the central part of the eye and light would have little success in reaching the back of the eye.  
Although, I would still try to play basketball and football with family members just to see what choice I still had in playing sports, the question was answered very quickly and painfully, none. I decided to pursue music and lost interest very quickly, woodworking was almost my liking, but, safety for fellow classmates and myself was top priority for the shop teacher, detail will not be mention, moving right along, so, I decided to take up drawing and never stopped since. However, the teacher was still concerned how I would pull it off and I wasn't in the class for long. Therefore, I was stuck in home education. Well, at least I can learn how not to stick myself with a needle and how not to burn the school down while baking or cooking. I was fortunate not to reach that extreme moment of burning the school down and the needles won out. After a few choice words and bad aids later, I was able to get back into art while attending  junior high and high schools. I had good art teachers who saw natural art abilities I had in me and encouraged me to create. I was able to prove to them that I had a great talent in me that would allow me to go on to win outstanding art student of the year award, pen and ink drawing calendar contest and many other art competitions.


"Serenity Mountain" oil on canvas by Michael A. Williams

During my mid 20s, I would produce several pen and ink prints in series of 100, each had to be hand painted with a light watercolor wash and sold out of each series. However, I wanted to expand and decided to reach myself how to use acrylics and oils.
Today, I am in my 40s and continue to inspire others and love art because of the endless possibilities to create. My disorder had eventually stabilized in my mid 20s and I have adaptive technology and low tech items to aid me in creating . I improvise what I can't see and I believe using your imagination to create is truly inspirational. 

Uniquewanders Art Gallery and Studios -Online Art Gallery http://www.uniquewanders.com