Walking by Inner Vision

How do YOU do it?

2012-02-10T07:31:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Friends,

I was asked recently:

How are you able to write a blog?

How can you create a website?

How DOES a person who is blind do these things?

How did you learn to do it?

I cannot see details and colors since I have no central vision. I have only some peripheral vision and that is not clear at all. The sight that I have is akin to walking in a snow squall. Everything is grayed out and blurred, with an occasional glimpse of something significant. I can usually detect something that is moving, if there is contrast.

The way that I do see, is with high contrast. I see no nuances or subtle color changes in anything.

When I am knitting, my friends and family explain to me what colors they see in my yarn. To me, it mostly looks all gray. I am always delighted when they tell me of the wonderful colors they are seeing there!

How do I manage my website and my blog?

I had very extensive knowledge about how to do websites and blogs BEFORE sight loss. I had two blogs and have had a website for many years. (I am a former professor of Fine Arts and Humanities, at Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA)

Before sight loss, I wrote about one of my passions, knitting. I did it for relaxation and to share information/patterns/finished projects on the blogs.

It was a nice get-a-way from my professional life. Knitting is very relaxing to me, and I love the feel of the soft yarns as they slip through my fingers. There is nothing that can compare to the feel of a hand knitted garment, that is one-of-a-kind, original.

How do I maintain and create my website?

My website is where I share images of my art works. Before sight loss, I used to share photos of of my paintings, wood cut prints, upcoming show information, and my travel/study trips to Europe every summer. The website was a recruiting tool for that program.

For twelve years, I taught a course called Drawing and Writing in Salzburg. Students at the college could take my course for credits in Humanities, English, or Studio Art.

We lived in the Alps in Austria every summer until 2008 (I lost my sight in the fall of 2007). College students and came with me to Austia for a month every summer. While there I worked in my art studio in the village school, just outside of Salzburg. I taught classes every morning Monday - Thursday until noon. Our class met early each morning in the school, and each day we took trips all over the area. They had writing and art assignments at a different location every day. On weekends, I took the students to a different country - Italy for the Redintore Festival every year in Venice. We traveled to Czech Republic, where we visited small villages and of course, Prague. In Germany, we traveled on boats over deep Alpine lakes, ancient cities, and castles

This is how I knew HOW to make a website - through marketing my own art and my Drawing and Writing in Salzburg courses.

When I lost my sight - overnight - I was completely LOST. For five months I really sat in a chair and listened to Public Radio as I did not know how to do anything at all. My husband brought me books on CDs from the local library - I was completely LOST and no one knew what to do with me. It took five months of very hard work to learn that there was such a thing as rehab for blind people - and finally, after an existence that was meaningless, I got to go to a rehab center in Pittsburgh.

There, I learned that I could do things again. But the realization that I had in an instant gone from teaching and lecturing on a very high level, and had plunged to a level that was less than kindergarten became very clear to me. The LEARNING CURVE for a person who has entered the world of sight loss is the steepest learning curve I have ever experienced, just to begin to live again and do the most basic things.

I was at the Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services in Homestead, PA for 15 weeks, and did very well. I still had no computer skills, when I left there. But, I had the “Intro to blindness” skills that completely changed my life and my future. I found out that there is almost nothing that I cannot do. I just have to learn how to ADAPT to doing everything in a new way that works for me.

After FOUR YEARS of sight loss, I am still learning how to adapt all the time as new situations come up. There are still moments when I lose it for a little while and have to get my bearings, and begin again.

Relearning the computer took another two years to be able to write a blog or work on my website again I can now process photos by myself, and upload them onto my computer. As a VISUAL ARTIST this is important for me to do. I share my work with the world through my blog and my website.

I am still the VISUAL ARTIST I have always been, but now I have learned to ADAPT to my new situation.

Through this blog, I am able to take you on the journey with me as I learn how to do new things and how to re-learn the things I once took for granted.

The learning curve is the steepest one I could ever have imagined.

TENACITY is the KEY to success - in everything.

Don't GIVE UP, and Do not QUIT TRYING.

This is one of the newest pieces of pottery I made. I never knew I could make pottery!

These days, I am making pottery, knitting, and creating intricate encrusted bead work.

I do it all by TOUCH, non-Visually, and in some cases with the help of TECHNOLOGY.

Life is still good...

Life is still a creation in process!

Art is God's Voice

2012-02-08T08:14:00.000-08:00

Pay attention to poetry.

Pay attention to music.

Pay attention to paintings and sculptures and photo exhibits and ballets and plays.

Why?

Because art is God's way of saying hello. Your world is shouting out to you, revealing something intrinsically glorious about itself.

Listen carefully.

Love art, the way art loves life.

Don't let all this go unnoticed. _Neale Donald Walsh_

I have a page on Face Book. You can find me there by typing in my username: Lynda McKinney Lambert. I use this page to keep in touch with friends mostly. It’s a place where I can chitchat with friends and family. Lots of times, I post interesting things that I like. I share them with anyone who might visit my page that day.

You can also find another page that I have on FaceBook. It is the business page where I keep my friends and clients updated on my upcoming exhibitions and show photos of that is going on in my studio. That page is: River Road Studio

http://www.facebook.com/pages/River-Road-Studio/175785105811956

You can visit this page and when you do PLEASE click on the LIKE button there. This way I know there are friends who like my work and like to hear about what is happening in my artistic professional life. Please visit me there soon. And, be sure to leave a comment for me!

I like to check my two FaceBook pages every morning. Often I see some gems to enjoy. Every now and again, I find something that makes me sit up and pay attention. Some things rise above the usually mundane. Today is one of those days. I found the quote above, posted by Neale Donald Walsh. I really love this post today!

You know, it is in the ARTS that we can LEARN what is really going on in our world.

The evening news does not have a clue as to what is really going on. It is through the ARTS that we learn about our world. The arts give us insights into the future as well as understanding of the present. The only things is, you have to be willing to STOP and take a LOOK. Stop and LISTEN. STOP.

The ARTS make us THINK and thinking takes TIME. The ARTS stop us in our TRACKS.

I have often heard from a philosopher friend that when he wants to know what is going on, he looks to ART to give him the SCOOP. The inside information. It is hidden. Art REVEALS. Through ART we can actually SEE OUR SELF.

Neale Donald Walsh has it right.

“Pay attention to poetry. Pay attention to music. Pay attention to paintings and sculptures and photo exhibits and ballets and plays. Why? Because art is God's way of saying hello. Your world is shouting out to you, revealing something intrinsically glorious about itself. Listen carefully. Love art, the way art loves life. Don't let all this go unnoticed." Neale Donald Walsh

Read it again.

“Art is the WORLD saying HELLO to you! ART is God’s way of speaking to you. Say HELLO to GOD. Go look at some art. Go listen to a musical performance. Go. Let God have a WORD with you soon.” _Lynda Lambert_

January 2012 - a Resolution

2012-01-18T10:02:00.000-08:00

January 2012 - Beginning the New Year

Bob and I hung some art on the walls in our Library.

Now the room feels just right as I sit surrounded by the beauty of ART!

There is nothing that can compare with real, original art in your home or office. Each piece holds memories as you look from one to the other. When you buy a work of art, you are buying a piece of the artist's life in a very personal way. In my own collection are works from artist friends as well as other pieces I have bought from artists I will never know personally. Each art work reminds me of the artist who made it and each holds a special place in my heart.

The lively abstract painting shown here was painted by me. It is one of my all time favorite paintings that I did a long time ago. I was an graduate student in painting at West Virginia University. I was passionately reading poetry by Robert Bly and William Carlos Williams. They are still my poetic mentors. The images I recognized in their poetry cam through my brushes during those years as I painted in my stdio. There were wonderful images from nature, snow storms, rain, and the environment that we dwell in evry day. This painting moves me every time I stop to have a deep look at it. I will never understand this painting and it still holds secrets that I find there.

There are other paintings and photographs on my walls and they were done by friends I know personally. Other works of art on my Library walls come from Africa. A young painter in Nigeria sent me this beautiful textural painting one day. It was a very big surprise. I had no idea it was coming to me through the mail, in a tight little roll, inside of a box. This is one of my treasures, among all treasures in my home. It was a gift.

The African Painting and sculpture hang above a collection of books on a vintage primitive table. I am very fond of primitive things that I have found over the years at yard sales, basements, and unexpected places. They are often someone else's trash and in my home they are my treasure. I have many such pieces in every room of the house. I keep them exactly as they are when I find them. I do not paint them or disturb them, but just clean them up and put them to use again.

The lamp shade was made by my husband Bob. He makes beautiful art in Stained glass and steel. The pottery plate was made by me, I was inspired by a vintage advertisement plate made of clear pressed glass. African statues fill the nooks and crannies of this Library. I am always surrounded by the spirits of the artisans who created them..

A bay window allows light to flow into this room from morning till late afternoon.

While others are making stunning and ambitious resolutions for the year, I choose to just resolve to spend time each day thinking about art and poetry and the passage of time.

My resolution for the New Year is to enjoy making some knitted items in the solitude of my cozy home; sweeping the wooden floor of my porch with a fiber broom to clear it of the new snow that the western winds have blown there; watering and tending to my plants while they safely wait inside the house for their time to once again return back outside after winter has passed; pausing to admire my little African Violet plat (I started from a leaf). It is about a year old, and won't be ready to bloom for quite awhile yet. There is time for that. No hurry.

I finally started writing in my journal today, too. I wonder why I put it off, keep in on the back burner like I do. I write it on the computer, print it out, then put it in my binder that is labeled "Journal."

The pottery bowl was a welcome Christmas gift from our daughter Heidi. I cherish this piece of pottery. What I like about it is the natural color of the glaze, the kind of clay that the potter used, and the way she carved deep geometric and symmetrical patterns in the clay. Another reminder of Heidi is on the wall. There is a set of three drawings that she made years ago. The three drawings are placed vertically in one frame. They look African, too. Her drawings have a tribal feel to them.

I would not trade one small piece of hand made art from this room, for an entire room full of expensive commercial art made by the thousands and sold at slick department stores. Here in my Library, each piece is priceless to me.

How to ENTER a JURIED ART EXHIBITION

2012-01-17T07:03:00.000-08:00

How to Enter

a Juried Art Exhibition

Enter your art work in a JURIED EXHIBITION

contact the gallery and ask for an “Entry Form.”

The gallery creates an “entry form” for each exhibition. This entry form is your road map for entering an exhibition. The form will give you all the details that you need to enter the show. Be sure to look over this form very carefully before you begin to fill in the blanks. Read it over first to give yourself an overview of the information you will need to have as you begin the process.

Each exhibition has a title. The front page of the brochure will give you the name of a particular show you will be entering.

Example: Art of the State…Pennsylvania 2012. 45^th Annual Juried Art Exhibition

Below the title of the exhibition you will find the dates that the show will be on display at the museum. In the example I have given you, the dates for that show will be June 16 – September 9, 2012.

The final thing that is on the front of the brochure is the hosting organization that is sponsoring the exhibition and the name and address of the gallery or museum where the show will be on display.

You get a lot of information about the show when you look at the front cover of the brochure. You now know the name of the show; the sponsor; the museum; the dates of display; and the address.

After you have noted this information, you are now ready to open the brochure and look over the DETAILS you will need to know about HOW you will ENTER the show.

Look for the ENTRY DEADLINE

The show will have either a “Hand Deliver Only” policy, or it will have an “Enter by MAIL policy” or BOTH! How does the museum want to receive your entry? And, when?

Look for the final date for you to get your entry form and pictures of your work to the museum. Your entry must arrive by that date if you want to be considered for the show. Entries arriving AFTER the deadline date are NEVER considered.

What do you need to send?

Most shows want you to send them slides of your work, or a CD with photos of your work. Many venues will not return these to you so be sure you have duplicates. If they are returned to you, then you will be instructed to send a SASE along with your entry fee. The SASE is a “Self Addressed Stamped Envelope.”

There will be an “ENTRY FEE”

The form will give you the amount that you need to send along with your completed form, and photos of your work. This fee will not be returned to you if you are not selected for the show.

The brochure will give you the information on who the juror is, and who the juror of awards will be. Often the juror of the show entries will be the same person who selects the awards, too. Sometimes it is one person, and other times it can be a group of people who will be selecting the show and the awards.

The brochure will give you the EXACT INFORMATION DETAILS that you need to have to send in your entry. You’ll need to know the exact SIZE of your work. For a 2-Dimensional work, you will measure the HEIGHT and the WIDTH of the art work, and then the depth of it, too. If the painting, for example, is framed, then you need to give the dimensions of the work PLUS the outside edge of the frame.

For a 3-Dimensional art work, such as a sculpture, you can usually send in three views of that work. You need to measure the Height of it, the width of it, the depth of it, AND the WEIGHT of it.

For each work

fill in the blank for each of these questions:

1.) Title of the art work

2) Medium (Painting, print, sculpture, ceramics, etc.)

3) Dimensions (the size measurements)

4) For Sale? You will be asked to fill in the PRICE you want to sell the work for, if it will be for sale.

5) Not for Sale?

Some shows will not show a work that is NOT for SALE! For those shows who will show a work that is NOT FOR SALE

6) INSURANCE VALUE of the work.

When will you know

if YOU ARE SELECTED

for this show?

The brochure will give you the date that you will be notified.

You will be given instructions for the delivery of the work after you are notified that you are IN. You will receive a card that you had filled out when you sent in your entry.

There will be a little box on it and one of the boxes will be CHECKED. You will be IN; or, you will be OUT.

GOOD LUCK!

The Juried Exhibition

2011-11-21T09:12:00.000-08:00

How to be a Professional Artist

Part 3:

Juried Exhibitions

After you have had some success showing your art work in local “open” art exhibitions, you will want to begin to seek out some “juried” exhibitions.

The “open” show allows all entries to be displayed in the show.

This is an amateur type of show.

There are no selections and all works are displayed in this show. It is a nice place to begin if you want to start getting your work out in front of the public. I suggest you do this for a year or two to get started and get a feel for showing your work to the public.

The “juried” show will be selective and a “juror” will choose some works, and reject some works for the show.

This is a step forward for you, to begin to be selected for exhibitions. At this point, you have decided to become more professional about showing your art work and you will no longer be looking for the “open” art shows.

Here are some types of Juried Exhibitions for you to consider:

1.) Regional Juried Exhibition –

This show usually limits the scope of entries to a radius around where the show will be presented. It may be a “Tri-State” show, or a show that sets the distance that an artist may live from the exhibition site. Typically, that will be anywhere from 50 to 150 miles away.

Art works will be selected from artists who live within a tri-state area if it is a “Tri-State” show, or within the mileage described for entries.All other artists who live outside the selected area cannot enter this show.

Typically the “Juried Exhibition” is selected by one juror. It will be a successful artist who is well-known nationally or regionally. The show will be sponsored by a museum or art center. The exhibition will be held at that site and only works of art that have been pre-selected by the “juror” will be on display in that show.

2.) National Juried Exhibition –

Artists will be selected by a nationally known juror for this exhibition. It is usually held in a museum or gallery or art center. Since the range from which the entries may come is quite wide – the entire nation – you can imagine that the chances of getting into a National Juried Exhibition are not as good as a regional show would be. The competition will be strong for a place in this exhibition.

One nice thing about such a show is that your work is viewed alongside fellow artists rom across the entire country. This gives you an idea of what is going on with other artists nationally. You can see how your work stacks up next to the others. You can also attend the opening reception for the show, and meet the other artists who are in that same show.

3.) Juried Exhibition sponsored by art organizations – If you are a member of an artist’s organization,

you will most likely have the opportunity to be involved in an annual exhibition. They are always “juried” exhibitions. That means, everyone in the group can enter a specified amount of art works. Typically, you can enter anywhere from 1 to 4 works.

There will be a “juror” for this show, too. The juror will come from out of the area and will be someone who is notable in the art world. It can be a working artist or an arts professional such as a professor of Fine Arts at a university, or the director of an art museum or gallery.

This kind of a show is exciting because your work is put up for the jury process against your fellow artists in the arts organization that you all belong to. This is a chance to put your work up with your peers.

4.) International Juried Exhibition –

Here, your work is in competition with art works from many different countries.

This show can be expensive for you if you are selected. You will have to ship the work to the country where the show will be held. You’ll be paying shipping to and from that show. You will have to find out what the rules are for shipping the work and it can be complicated but you have to do that. You have to do your research to find out exactly how you can ship the work.

Some Juried Exhibitions require that you send your work to an art handler instead of sending it directly to the museum or gallery where it will be in a show. The art handler receives your work, unpacks it, and delivers it to the show site on a specified day. This is often the case when doing shows in New York City or other large metropolitan areas. You have to pay a fee to the art handler for this service. And, it usually has to be the art handler specified by the art gallery or museum. You cannot choose another one, there is only one permitted to do this usually.

Sometimes, when doing an exhibition in another country, the museum will pay for shipping of your work, both ways. I have been fortunate to be in a couple of shows in Japan and New Guinea and all shipping costs were covered to the artists who were in the show.

Everything you need to know about how to enter a show is printed on a “prospectus.”

What is the prospectus?

It is a flier on which all the rules are outlined for you. It will tell you how many works you can enter, where and when you can enter them, and the cost to enter. When you learn about a show, you may contact the gallery or museum and ask for a prospectus. It can be mailed to you, or you can often get it via e-mail.

This gives you a brief look at some aspects of putting your work in a juried exhibition. By now, you are probably wondering what the costs involved may be. I will give you a brief overview of that here:

Jury or Entry Fee:

This is the fee charged for you to enter the show. You will enter the show by taking your work to the museum for the juror to look at directly. Or, you will enter slides of your work, or a CD with pictures of your work. You pay this fee and even if you are NOT juried into the show it is not refunded. This fee is your first expense when entering a juried show. All juried shows that I am aware of have a Jury or Entry Fee.

Shipping Fees:

If the show is too far away for you to drive to it, then you will want to ship your work there. You will pay to ship the work to and from the show.

I hope this gives you an insight into how you might want to proceed to become more professional about where your work is being viewed.

Your opportunities for selling your work at a juried show are fairly good. It is much better if your work is shown in a well-known gallery or museum because that is where collectors will come to buy art. The collector respects the gallery and the juror and knows that the work has been selected from many other entries just to be in this show.

Another exciting thing about a juried show is that there is always prize money awarded to a selected few winners from the show.

The prize winners are always recognized in the show’s catalogue and they are given their awards publically at the Opening Reception for the show.

The winning works are usually depicted in the show catalogue, too.

I hope this has inspired YOU to think about what YOU might do with your work.

What is YOUR NEXT STEP?

Are you ready to try to get into a Juried Exhibition? I hope you do. Go ahead and get your prospectus, read it over, and follow the directions - you are off on a new phase of your career.

The Artist's Statement

2011-09-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

Part II

The Artist's Statement

Do YOU have an Artist's Statement?

One thing you will need to start thinking about after you begin to get your work into juried exhibitions is the Artist's Statement.

Galleries will ask you to provide them with an Artist's Statement. You'll need to begin right NOW to start thinking about YOURS and begin writing down your ideas on what you wan the gallery and the public to know about YOU, your WORK, and the IDEAS behind your work.

In my next article I will go into more detail on Juried Exhibition and explain them in more detail to you. But, for now, I want you to begin thinking about your own art work, and how you can begin to TALK about it.

Here is the Artist's Statement I completed today to send to a gallery that will be displaying my work in a few weeks. They also needed my Artist's Statement to apply for a grant for me to be an Artist in Residence at their gallery.

Lynda Lambert: Artist’s Statement

September 2011

The source of my pottery lies in two traditions:

1.) Art History - my studies of the ancient past. I taught Ancient to Medieval Art History for many years as Professor of Fine Arts and Humanitis at Geneva College. It is natural that the imagery and history I worked with daily would be abiding motifs in my own creative efforts. My love of the ancient past was aroused as a mature student working on my BFA degree at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in the mid 1980s. My first glimpse into this world happened the first night of my first art history class. These memorable images and ideas have remained a central part of everything I create.

2.) Nature - My observations of the natural, organic world around me have been urges that I have held within my creative self from as far back as I can remember. Nature has been my muse since childhood. She continues to guide my hands as I work with clay. The ancient myths hold me transfixed as I contemplate the symmetry and majesty of Nature. My work is both a celebration of Nature, and a recognition of the eternal forces that are inherent within Nature.

My artist process begins as I gather fragments of information from the art of the past, and combine those inages with the world of Nature that surrounds me every day These fragments mingle with memories, myths, history, and become the force that guides me in my creative work.

I define and explore a sense of place as I make my pottery. Images and motifs emerge slowly as I work in layers of clay, mark making, stains, under glazes, and glazes. My color is influenced by nature and a sense of the passage of time. The methods I use in creating my organic sculptural vessels are very time intensive. Each piece takes form over a period of weeks or months before it becomes the final work that will be on view in the gallery.

Each piece begins with my choice of clay. From there, the object is created mostly by using timeless Asian hand throwing techniques. I am influenced by ancient pottery and especially by shards of pottery that is found in an ancient ruins. I like to be sure that the mark of my hand is left in the clay to show the process and to remind the viewer that pottery is made from the earth and by a person who has left behind marks that naturally occur in the process of making the object.

I see my pottery creations as individual works of fine art. I am not a production potter. There are no two pieces of my work that are the same. Each piece is one of a kind.

How to Begin Your Art Career

2011-09-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

How will YOU Plan Your Art Career?

Part I

Juried Exhibitions and

Your Resume’

By Lynda J. Lambert

Pennsylvania Artist

ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:

What is an art career?

Do I even have an art career?

Do I want to have an art career and exhibit my art in public shows?

Am I happy just playing “artist” or do I want more?

How serious am I anyway?

What does it take for me to move from a hobby artist to an artist who is recognized as a professional?

Would I like to see my art hanging in galleries, museums, or exhibitions?

Lynda Lambert at her opening reception for _Primal Garden...la vida luminiscentes_

September 9th, 2011 at Merrick Art Gallery, New Brighton, PA

Lynda is shown with her daughter Heidi Lambert McClure, also an artist

Lynda has been in over 200 juried exhibitions and exhibited nationally and internationally.

STEP ONE:

This is an important FIRST STEP:

You may be saying, “What IS a JURIED EXHIBITON?

You will need to know about this before you can move on to the next step in your exhibition career.

The first step towards a serious commitment to your art requires that you begin to enter juried exhibitions. In this way, you get a feel for how your work stacks up when in competition with your fellow artists.

Be prepared for some rejections. Even artists who have been exhibiting their work for many years get rejected by a juror. This is just part of the world of art exhibitions. Sooner or later, you WILL get into a juried show and you will be so proud of your achievement. It will be a big step in your career when you begin to get into juried shows and even win some recognition for them.

How does it work?

A JURIED exhibition is a show that has been selected by one judge or a small panel of judges who view your work along with lots of other entries from other artists. The juror will select the art works that he/she decides will best suit the kind of show that will be exhibited in the end. You want to begin putting your art work out among the crowd of other art works through the jury process.

Before this, you may have entered your art in shows that are non-juried. This means that all work entered in a show will be hung or displayed. This could be the first step for the novice, and one that is non-threatening nor intimidating. This type of show is usually uneven, with work by seasoned artists appearing beside art works that are made by beginners. After you have done just a few of these, you are now ready to move UP to put your work before a jury. You will definitely want to do this and you will need to do this to gain professional experience in showing your art works.

As you begin to participate in juried exhibitions you will need to begin listing them on an artist’s resume. It is an important step and it reflects that you are a serious artist. It also reflects that an doing work that is notable in your field because experts have chosen your work for public display in their shows

Hand Beaded Jewelry on display at Merrick Art Gallery

5th Avenue and 11th Street, New Brighton, PA

Sept 9 - October 2, 2011

Bead Weaving by Lynda Lambert

Create a good Resume:

Now is the time to begin working on a good resume, or a one page Vita.

Begin doing this as soon as you begin getting into juried exhibitions.

After listing your name, address, contact information website or blog address, then you will divide you resume' into some important categories. It will be in those catagories that you will begin to list your exhhibitions and honors and awards. Do it chronologically. Begin with your latest one, and then go backwards.

Create a category titled: “Juried Exhibitions.”

Later on, you will need to create a category for “Invitational Exhibitions.” That usually comes after you have been doing some juried exhibitions for a while. Eventually you will be invited to participate in a gallery, museum, or art center’s show. This is also decided by a gallery owner, a selected juror or a committee, so it is also prestigious because you have been asked or invited to participate in the show.

Awards and Honors on your RESUME:

On your resume, create a THIRD category listing for “Awards and Honors.”

When you need to send your Vita' or Resume' to another show or to a gallery, they will be looking to see what shows your work has appeared in and any awards or honors you have won. List them chronologically by placing the most recent ones at the top of your list.

Review of Step ONE:

1.) Begin to look for “juried” art exhibition and enter them

2.) Create your Resume' or a short one-page Vita’

Here is what you need to put on your resume’ or one-page vita’:

Your Name

Your Address

Phone Number/ E-mail

Your Blog or Website (IF you have one)

Categories:

1.) Juried Exhibitions:

List name of show; the juror’s name;

the place where it was on exhibit,

and the dates of show

2.) Invitational Exhibitions

List name of show,

the juror or group who invited you,

place when the exhibition was on display;

date of show

3.) Awards and Honors:

List any awards you received in a show,

date of Award

Later on, we'll be adding a couple more categories. But for a start, this is all you'll need to put on your artist's resume' or one-page vita'. Remember this: An artist's resume' is very different than a business person's resume'.

The steps are small ones, but very important ones. It is the little things that make your art career work. It is the ability to pay attention to the small details and be careful about them.

One of the biggest failures for an artist is to spend tons of time in the studio creating work, and then failing to develop a business PLAN for marketing that work. We have to be in BALANCE. Work + Exhibitions are important to us. Exhibitions give us an audience for our work AND it brings us recognition and collectors who will be buying our work. We want to begin to develop our exhibition opportunities AND our clients.

To BEGIN:

Step it UP

Find some Juried Shows

Begin your Artist Resume'

You can begin by doing a search on-line for juried shows in your local area. I strongly suggest that you begin with a show that is very close to where you live. You'll probably be surprised at how many juried exhibitons and opportunities you will find within a 30 mile radius of where you live. Check out any galleries or museums, art centers, universities, colleges, or local educational programs in the arts to find out when their next juried show will be held.

The Prospectus:
Ask the gallery for a prospectus. The prospectus is a program flyer that gives you all the information you need to enter the juried show. They will probably email it to you. You can read the prospectus and you will know all the rules and regulations for that particular show. The prospectus will tell you exactly HOW to enter the show. It will give the dates of the show; the juror's name and credentials; the day to deliver your art for the jury process; the day to deliver your accepted art work; the day of the opening reception and awards ceremony; the FEE you need to send with your application, size limitations; and the kinds of art forms that are permitted for entry in this show. Your Prospectus is your ROAD MAP for that particular exhibition.

Autumn Reflection Vessel: Grape Leaves, Snakes, and Sanils

by Lynda Lambert

In the solo exhibition: Primal Garden...la vida illuminscentes

Merrick Art Gallery, 5th Avenue and 11th Street,

New Brighton, PA

Sept 9 - October 2, 2011

Our next conversation will be to explore the different kinds of JURIED EXHIBITIONS that you will encounter once you begin your SEARCH for a show to enter.

Autumn is a GREAT TIME to begin looking for some shows to enter. I would love to hear from you on this topic and hear about your experiences as you begin to enter some juried shows. I willbe celebrating with you when you get IN your FIRST JURIED SHOW. Be sure to let me know about it.

The Art Opening Needs More than the Artist to be Successful

2011-09-11T04:00:00.000-07:00

Read MORE about Lynda LambertThe Ellwood City News, Ellwood City, PA - Feature Story on Lynda LambertThe next time you go to an art gallery or attend an opening reception for the artist please think about the enormous efforts that go into such a thing as an art show.

It is a team effort.

Here are the players in the team:

The ARTIST:

has to make the work for the show. This normally takes several years of concentrated efforts to creat enough work to fill a gallery. When my show opened last night at Merrick Art Gallery in New Brighton, PA, the gallery was filled with pottery and jewelry that I had worked on to develop for four years. And, that was four years with almost daily work in the studio. This is certainly not a hobby type of exhibition. It is a show put on by a seasoned professional artist who can stay focused and on-target with a THEME for a very long period of time. In this case, four years, working on the theme of a PRIMAL GARDEN...la vida luminiscentes. I decide on the them, then I begin the long process of creating the work for the exhibition with a vision towards what the final "picture" will be. I hold that picture in my mind, daily, over this period fo time as I continue working.

A GALLERY

when creating the work, you need a glalery to exhibit the work. I had been working towards this show for three years with no idea of where it would be shown. Then, one year ago, a gallery called me with an invitation to have a solo show. And, there it wass. I had the vision for the show, had been working on that vision for three years, and finally a gallery invited me to host a show. After that, I had one more year to complete the work for the show. It is a long process. You begin in faith not knowing where the show will be, but you begin.

THE DELIVERY PERSON:

When the time comes to take your work to the gallery and get it set up for the exhibition, you will need people to help you. The work has to be carefully delivered. In my case, it took six truck loads to deliver my very fragile and large work. My husband Bob is my road manager, and he transported the truckloads of pottery, one by one, over a period of a week. When we began to unwrap, unbundle, and take out the work for installation, we were joined by a good friend who is an artist. The three of us began the process of installing the show. It took three entire days to get the show installed and ready for the opening. We worked till late the night before the opening, to finish this job.

THE OPENING RECEPTION:

For the opening recweption you need lots more team members. Here are some of the things that wyou will need to organize for opening night:

Food and drinks - you'll need a couple of people in charge of this area of your show. You want your guests to be able to have refreshments during the reception and you need peole to be sure the table is full all night long.

SALES:

you will need people in charge of taking care of paying for their purchases. I had four people in charge of writing up sales and putting the charges through via I-Phone. They also had to write up each sale so that we would know how much we would owe the gallery for the percentage they get from all sales. Then, the items have to be labeled as sold on the gallery walls. Other things were sold and folks could take them home at the same time. Those things had to be wrapped and bagged. This takes a team of at least four people to pull off smoothly. My daughters and grand daughters were in charge of this critical part of the show opening. They are professionals at this kind of thing and did a fabulous job keeping it all straight.

GREETERS:

My great grand daughter is 14 years old. She came to the show and brought one of her firneds. Theyw ere outside the entrance to the gallery. It was their job to greet people, give them a program for going through the show, and be sure they signed my little guest book when they were leaving. This gave my guests a personal greeting and welcoming feeling upon their arrival.

My husband is part of the team, too. He greets people, spends a lot of time where the food is so that he can be in conversations with people all night long. He takes care of little things that may come up during the evening.

And, finally, YOU the artist. Once you have arrived and things are put in motion, and you have given your team instructions on how to do things you are then ready to greet the visitors who will be arriving.

Once the first people come through the door, from then on, you are engaged in greeting people, taking them around to see art works, telling them the stories about the works, and just enjoying the next three hours to the fullest. You will be seeing people from every aspect of your life. Folks from your past community involvements, people from your daily life, people you went to school with many years ago, and you next door neighbors. It is so wonderful and everyone has such a beautiful time together.

YOUR FEET:

My final piece of advice: wear very comfortable shoes. You will not be seated one time for at least 3 to 4 hours. Even when I wear shoes that are flat and comfy, believe me, by the end of the night my feet ar buring and feel like they are in a vice. In the final moments of the show, I am now not wearing my shes at all - despite my fancy dress, I am in my bare feet on the cool gallery floor. Everyone laughs and my feet say "ah, thank you so much!"

If you are an artist and want to have a gallery show, begin NOW to design your show and begin working on the pieces for your show. No matter if you do not know exactly where it will be. It WI"LL BE, once you begin to envision it and begin doing the work for it. Remember, you need a TEAM to help you get your show ready once you have done the work and are ready to have your opening night. You have many friends and family members who will join you and will be happy to do it.

THE OUTFIT:

You need to think about what you will wear. You are the STAR of the evening and you need to stand out in the drowd. I like to select an outfit that matches the spirit of my art work.

For my opening reception I wore a beautiful top designed by MARC BOUWER. I created a TALISMAN in my encrusted bead weaving techniques to coordinate with this beautiful fluid top. It was a hit and people asked me all evening where I got my outfit. And, they stopped in their tracks to have a close look at the talisman I designed to match the outfit, that matched my art work.

It is your show so be a STAR. You need your TEAM. New Castle News, New Castle, PA - Feature Story on Lynda Lambert

Rodney Roe answers your Questions

2011-09-04T11:28:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to Rodney Roe. Rodney and I have the same DISease that caused us to become blind. It was sudden, without warning, and with no treatment known for the condition. He answers the questions that we are all asked, in this article. I think you'll enjoy it and find it enlightening. Your questions are important. He does a really good job at giving answers to those questions here.

Making Art with Inner Vision

2011-07-14T07:38:00.000-07:00

I was asked to write a short article for a journal recently. The editor asked me to discuss how my art changed from the time I could see to do it, and how it is done now that I cannot see to do it. I am delighted to answer this question because it means that someone has an interest in what I do and how I do it, as an artist. It also means that someone is not afraid to have an honest discussion with me about a topic that far too many people are afraid to face or discuss - sight loss.

Here is what I wrote and sent off today to the editor of the journal:

"Art and Inner Vision"

One of the most valuable lessons I learned as a mature student of the fine arts at Slippery Rock University of PA, back in the 1980s was that there was a difference between “seeing” and “looking.” My painting professor had talked with me about learning to “see.” He sent me off on a new journey when he gave me a list of artists on day. My assignment was to visit the library and find those artists. He told me to look at pictures of their work. I spent many days in the library. I back the information to him about what I was “seeing.” This assignment opened up a new way of thinking for me, a new understanding of what art is really about.

Seeing takes a long period of time. It is not a glance, or a quick look. It is about the passage of time. It happens in layers. Seeing involves the entire body, not just the eyes. I soon became aware of the inner vision that sees the art work, and time stood still. We are outside of time when we begin to “see” the world around us through all of our senses.

This belief that I embraced enabled me to continue to create after I lost most of my eyesight nearly four years ago. I learned to adapt, to find new ways of expressing an idea. I decided that this change in vision opened new doors for me and new ways of exploring in my art work. I viewed it as a new opportunity to learn new ways of working.

Instead of painting pictures and making wood cut prints, I decided to begin working in clay. It was a very quick transition for me to move from a 2 dimensional flat surface, to a 3 dimensional form. My love of painting has been transformed to working on the surface of the forms I made, using glazes, under glazes and stains to get the rich colors and depth of surface that I always had in my paintings. Now, I think of my vessels as paintings. They are paintings that you can take a walk around, and view from all sides.

Making pottery is a new adventure for me. It is one that I experience because of a life-changing challenge. Most people would think that to lose your eyesight, for an artists, would be the worst imaginable tragedy. This is not true.

Instead of feeling sorry for something I had no control over, I turned my personal challenge into a new adventure. I changed my mind and looked for positive outcomes. Every day, I look for what is positive and I think of ways to adapt things so that I can do them in my own way. It is all about finding your inner vision. It is all there inside of you, waiting for you to discover it. My art work reflects my way of Walking by Inner Vision.

River Road Studio, Wurtemburg, PA since 1976

Tribute to my Mother on Mother's Day

2011-05-08T07:32:00.000-07:00

Who are you as a person?

How did you become the person you are today?

My thoughts go back to childhood memories of my Mother. I recall the the hours I spent with my Mother. Her marks on every aspect of my life through the lessons, training and ideas she handed down to me.

Mother's Day seems like the appropriate day to reflect on her-

Esther Luella Kirker McKinney

(1920 - 2007)

From the earliest years of my childhood, I recall spending time at my Grandmother's house. On one occasion I was there with my Mother and we were beginning a new project. My Mother was teaching me to do embroidery. She had bought a white linen tea towel that was marked with a stamped on pattern. And, the embroidery floss we were using was various shades of blue and gray. I would begin learning how to do embroidery. My Mother was my teacher, and my first Muse.

Mother not only made lovely embroidered items, she is usually best remembered for her soothing and flowing alto voice. Mother was a singer. She sang solos, and duets, and in the choir in our church. But it didn't stop there, where she had an audience. She sang every day in our home. Our house was filled with her songs. It would have been impossible to spend any amount of time at our house, without hearing my Mother singing.

In the final years of life, after Alzheimer's took away her ability to communicate through words and conversations, she still was able to sing the old songs of the church that were in her soul. We would sing as we drove down a highway together. and then we would burst out in laughter as we forgot a line or a word. Then, we would just make it up, and laugh some more. She never lost her ability to sing until her final days on earth.

Back in my Grandmother's house, so long ago, the blue embroidery threads were put through the eye of a silver needle. We began the exciting new project. One by one, Mother taught me the different ways of working the thread to create patterns on

the tea towel. She was patient and I was excited to be learning this new craft. I was mesmerized as the smooth thread went in and out of the creamy white linen cloth; my arm moved up and down in rhythm as the pattern began to take shape on the cloth; blue threads wrapped around the slick needle and was pushed through the crisp cloth. I was creating a design! I was hooked on fibers, threads, and cloth. I was becoming ONE with my work.

Mom created lovely "pictures" out of embroidery techniques. Her pictures hung in our home. there was a Crewel embroidery piece that became a clock in our living room. Then, one by one, Mom made pictures of red cardinals and bluebirds using Crewel techniques. The bird pictures joined her clock. There were lavender scented pillow cases lovingly made by Mom and we slept on those freshly ironed pillows at night. Mom's art was comfort under our heads, and soothing.

I have always had a love for fiber arts since that time. My idea of heaven is to spend the rest of my life in a yarn shop, surrounded by the most beautiful yarns imaginable.

I find that I simply love everything about yarn. It engages all my senses. TOUCH; SMELL; VISION. Most of all, it is my IMAGINATION that kicks in the moment I walk into a fabulous YARN SHOP. When I pick up the skeins of yarn, I begin to envision what that yarn will become once I take it home and begin to work with it.

Colorful yarn was a part of my Mother's life, too. She crocheted afghans in the later years of her life. She left behind a legacy for me. It is the LOVE for fiber arts in my heart. Often, when I pick up my needles and begin knitting, I think of her and how much she loved handmade things. Her embroidered pictures, her afghans, were her treasures.

And, one of the greatest treasures my Mother gave to ME, is the love of things hand-made. There is something to healing and so important of the touch of a human hand that is left in a piece of fiber art. Sometimes, when my heart is still and listening to spirit, I believe I hear her singing as I touch my knitting needles and move them softly through the luxurious silky yarn.

Happy Mother's Day, Esther Louella Kirker McKinney

from

he Village of Wurtemburg, PA.

When I grow up,

I want to be just like you.

May 8, 2011

Artists Continue to Make Art After Sight Loss

2011-04-26T07:29:00.000-07:00

Question: What does an artist do when she loses her sight?

Answer: She makes Art!

I love reading about how other artists deal with loss of sight. I often wondered how an artist would cope with sight loss. I had read of many artists who lost their eyesight. When I was teaching and lecturing on art and artists, I would often note when an artist would be blind, after years of making art. I wondered how that transition would be made by the artist. I never suspected that it would happen to ME! We seldom ever see ourselves beyond how we are at the moment. And, I believe, we seldom ever imagine that WE would some day have a disability or a challenge like the one we read about that someone ELSE has. .

Making art was something I did most of my life. I cannot remember not making art. When confronted with my own challenge of sudden and profound sight loss in 2007, it meant that I shifted from making painting and woodcut prints, to making pottery.

I have always been a very optimistic person - mostly. After the initial shock and months (now 3 1/2 years) of rehabilitation, I viewed my sight loss as an entry into a new world and took it as a chance to make a new life for myself - one I would never have chosen to make.Sight Loss marked a new phase in my life - I celebrated by switching to a new art medium instead of trying to resurrect the former ones I had worked in for over 30 years. Sight Loss meant a New Kind of Life - New Paths to explore. New Adventures - New Friends - and New Ways of Doing EVERYTHING.

It's nearly the end of April! It's a nice sunny day. My travels for the month of April are now behind me, Bob and I had celebrated our 50th Anniversary on April 14 in Puerto Rico. Our daughter Ilsa and her family was there with us for the week. Then, we traveled to Ilsa's home for our annual family celebration in Kentucky.

Upon our arrival back home yesterday, I started cleaning my studio for the season. It is a kind of ritual that I have to do every spring - Spring Cleaning of the River Road Studio. Once I have it all in order, then I can begin to work there.

Today, I will finish it and be in there working on my pottery and bead work creations from mow till December when I close it for the winter months. SPRING is HERE in PA, Officially.

My studio is now OPEN and I am IN IT AGAIN. But now, there is not the smell of paints and inks, and stacks of canvases. Now, it is CLAY and POTS and a table with a CCTV on it so I can work away at my intricate encrusted bead worked pieces. I have one-person gallery show that will open in September, so I have lots of work to do from now until then.

Art truly is for everyone - even blind people. this blind photographer inspired me today!

USAirways provided me with a trip through hell yesterday

2011-02-27T08:30:00.000-08:00

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a pilot program for blind. I was selected out of applicants from across the United States and given a grant by the eBay Corporation in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind. Sixteen blind people were selected for this special grant from eBay. As part of our grant we were flown to and from Baltimore, MD. My flight was from my home in Pennsylvania. I was given a lovely place to stay at the NFB Conference Center, and fantastic meals. In addition, I was in training classes ever day with the 15 other participants in this experimental program.

I was a bit nervous about getting to and from Baltimore as I had never traveled alone by plane since my sight loss three years ago. I did not let my apprehension keep me from going and so I started my trip on Monday morning, February 21 at the Pittsburgh Airport. My husband left me at the Continental Airlines counter where we were assured I would be taken to my gate, and then given help on boarding. I was to take two flights to get to Baltimore.

A delightful gentleman helped me from the counter through security and then to my gate. As I had a little while before the plane left, he came back through a couple of times just to be sure I was ok. Another attendant who would be in charge of getting me on the plane came, too. I was made to feel comfortable. Everything went perfectly due to their help. I made the two flights just as scheduled. and when I arrived at the Baltimore airport my driver was there at the gate to take me to the National Center for the Blind, so that I could join my peers there and begin the program. I thought, now, I am not afraid to travel anywhere by myself. This is wonderful, and I am over my fear of solo traveling.

At the end of my week in Baltimore I was taken by van to the airport to begin the two flight journey that would get me back to Pittsburgh again. Since I had such a good experience flying to Baltimore via Continental Airlines, I had no idea what was waiting to unfold for me on the trip home. I arrived at the airport at 8 am. There, I was told that my two flights had been cancelled. I was rebooked to fly home via USAirways. I would be taking one plane to Philadelphia, and then another to Pittsburgh. I thought, well, that is ok.

I was walked through security there and escorted to my gate which was in the far reaches of the bottom level of the airport. I was told I would be pre-boarded, as usual, and I relaxed and sat there with my knitting because I knew I had about 1 1/2 hours to wait. Finally, an attendant came to the podium, and I thought I better go and just make my presence known and to reassure me that I would indeed be pre-boarded . The attendant was very aloof with me, like I was a nuisance, and she snapped, "When you hear me make the announcement, you will be boarded." I told here where I would be sitting so that someone could help me. She made no comment and I went back to my seat. In a short while a passenger was pre-boarded. He was in a wheelchair. So, I thought, I will be next. I waited. She made her announcement for people with special needs to come forward. I went up to her podium again, and thought that meant me. She asked from my ticket. I had it in an envelope with another ticket. I offered her my envelope and asked her to get the correct ticked for my flight. Since I cannot see, I had no way to know exactly which ticket was the correct one. She grabbed the envelope from me with a loud sigh. She pulled out the correct ticket and handed it to me. Instead of any help, I was told to "step aside because she she had to get all the other passengers on the plane. She said she “does not have time to get me boarded” and did not have time to help me. She told me I would have to wait for someone else to come help me. I have no idea why I was not pre-boarded when the passenger in the wheel chair and his were pre-boarded. Instead, I was left to wait again. So there I stood while all the other people in the plane filed by as their sections were called out by this woman. I did not know what to do, since she was certainly boarding the entire plane and I was standing by myself to the side as everyone paraded past me. I was very cold as I was standing there with the doors open as one by one, all the other’s passed me by.

Eventually, a passenger who was going by came up to me and asked if she could help me. I told her I was standing there because I was told by the attendant to wait, and this stranger went up to the attendant and told her she would take me to the plane. The passenger came back and took me by the arm and carefully led me to the plane, got me in my seat and told me to wait when the plane landed as she would be back to help me out and to my gate. When the plane landed in Philadelphia, this passenger came to help me as she promised. No one from the airline ever came near me to help me in any way.

The woman's name is Christina. Christina took me into the airport, took me to my gate and stayed with me. She even took me to get some food and to the bathroom. Her gate was near mine, and she repeatedly came to talk with the flight attendants to be sure I would have help in boarding. The planes were delayed and we had several hours till the next plane that I would get to Pittsburgh. Two attendants, Elizabeth and Terrance, were fabulous and they kept an eye on me and they took care of making sure I was put on the plane that would take me to Pittsburgh. I thought my troubles were now over, but I was very wrong on that assumption.

When we landed in Pittsburgh, a special attendant from USAirways came on board to get me, and took me on a cart. I thought, this is great, finally I will be back with my husband and on our way home. The attendant did not take me to the luggage area however. Instead, she took me to a place where the escort services work from and she left me there in a seat and told me she would be back. She was going to go get my husband, or at least locate him and get me to him. She never did come back. I had numerous conversations with the women who were working in the escort services area. After a very long time, they decided to take me to the baggage pick up area and were hoping to find my husband and get us united again. And, this is how I finally got to him.

Meanwhile, my husband had not been notified that they had switched me onto a different airlines and completely different time schedules. He was at the airport for hours trying to find out where I was. When my plane returned, and I was not on it, he went seeking help. Finally he was told I was coming on a flight from Philadelphia instead of Newark, and that it was hours later than the original flight was to be.

Eventually he found my luggage in the baggage dept but I never arrived at the baggage department. After an hour or so of trying to get information on where I was. My husband was told by the personnel in Baggage Dept. that I was put on a cart and was on my way.

I was finally brought to the baggage area by the woman from the escort services because the woman from the USAirways who drove the cart had left me at the escort services and never returned to get me. In all, I had left Baltimore at 8 am yesterday, and was not back to my home till nearly 8 pm - just from Baltimre to Pittsburgh.

Of course, I will be flying alone again because I am not a woman to quit when the going is tough. Next time, I might not be so foolish as to think that all people who work for the airlines will observe the Americans With Disabilities Act and obey the Federal Laws to provide help for people with disabilities. US Airways needs to do a lot of training so that all their employees get the message that it is the law to provide for their special needs passengers and it is unlawful for them to refuse to board such passengers and to abandon them and not return to help them complete their trip safely.

I have tickets to Puerto Rico for April and they are on US Airways. After my horrifying experiences with this airline yesterday, I am quite uneasy about my safety. And, I am still wondering if some blind people just disappear and never get to their destination. Are blind people still standing aside while all the other passengers are taken care of right now? Is a blind person sitting somewhere in a chair waiting for the airline personnel to come back as promised? Is there a "missing persons" department or a "lost and found" department for blind people who fly on USAirways? Will I actually get to Puerto Rico in April? And, if I do, will I ever get back home again? And, how many more humiliations and broken promises will I endure the next time I fly USAirways?

Begin Walking Towards Your Dream

2011-01-27T08:13:00.000-08:00

Do you have a dream?

I think you most likely have something inside of you that tries to come up to the surface of your consciousness occasionally. Think about it. What would you like to do?

One of my dreams was to write a book. I had no idea how I would do it, or how it would be published, or who might like to read my book. I did not have any experience in writing a book and did not know any publishers.

My background is in art and teaching. As part of my position as Professor of Fine Arts and Humanities, I traveled each summer in Europe. I taught a course called "Drawing and Writing in Salzburg." My students and I lived in a village in the Alps, in Austria. We had classes four mornings a week. Our classes were held in a school classroom sometimes, but mostly we traveled to a new place every morning on the local bus. There, we wrote and made sketches and worked on ideas in our sketch books. On the weekends, we traveled to other countries: Italy, Germany, and Czech Republic.

After teaching and traveling during my summers for a few years, I had created a collection of drawings, poems, and reflections in my sketch books.

One day, I was unexpectedly contacted by a publisher of books. I sent my collection to her and she immediately wanted to be the publisher of my collection. The rest is history. My book was titled _Concerti...Psalms for the Pilgrimage_ and it was published January 1, 2002. One of the works of art I created in Austria became the cover for my book. I was delighted with the finished product.

If you have an idea or a dream, just begin working on it. Don't worry about the little details or how you will achieve it. The people you will need to have on board to help you will come to you. You don't have to search for them. Just begin your project, and watch what happens. One by one, the other people and the things you will need come to you.

Begin to work and walk towards your dream.

Your dream is waiting for you.

Dreams are like that!

The Artist's Sketchbook

2011-01-25T10:45:00.000-08:00

From the earliest days of my art journey I had always kept a Journal and/or a Sketchbook.

What is a Sketchbook and why would a person want to use one?

A sketchbook is a little bit of everything to the artist.

It can be a book of blank pages, or a binder that you can put blank pages or any other things that will fit over the rings inside the covers of the book. It can be large or it can be very small. It can be an expensive bound book with leather covers. It can be a small tablet or one on a spiral so that the pages can lay flat giving you two surfaces to work on at a time. My favorite sketchbooks were small or medium sized spiral binding books because I always like to work on two surfaces at a time. I liked to work in a series or set and this gave me the opportunity to think beyond a single page.

What can the Sketchbook do for you?

It is a place to dream or to write about dreams. It is a place to experiment. Since it is not usually considered a a finished “product” you feel free to let go, use materials you know nothing about, or make marks and shapes and colors that are new to you. It is a place where, as you begin to work on the pages. They come alive and take you on a new journey.

Begin by thinking about how you will work in your sketch book.

First select one that seems right for you. It can be any type of book at all in which you can work on ideas.

All you need is a little bit of time and something to make some marks with: Pencil, pen, marker, chalk, crayons, nail polish, shoe polish, bingo markers, pieces of paper and glue, well, anything at all. If you can put it on the page, you can use it in your sketchbook.

With the loss of eyesight, things like this had to change for me.

What do you do when you can no longer see the page or anything written on it and when you cannot write on a page and see what you wrote? That was my situation three years ago. I had to find a new way to do a sketch book. It had to be one that could work for me.

Here is how I solved my problem.

I now have a somewhat different approach to my work I created a sketch book for each of the mediums I work in: fibers, encrusted bead work, and pottery.

Here is how I adapted the Sketchbook:

1.) For my pottery: one three ring binder with transparent pages.

This book it I am working out ideas and keeping track of my glazes and ideas for other projects in clay. Since I can use a Closed Circuit TV to “see” things, virtually, I can put the pages under the camera and the computer will let me know what is there. This is a wonderful adaptive piece of equipment that works for me. I still have some peripheral vision, so I can use this machine. If I was totally blind, then I would have to do the pages in Braille and read them that way. Fortunately, I can use the CCTV which is very quick and easy for me to do.

I even put pottery magazines in my binder so that I can find them easily, scan them, or view with the CCTV.

The Transparent pages hold my notes written with very large black markers. I can see only contrasts, so if the marker is very large and the paper is white, I can see the large letters on it.

I can also put pieces of leaves or bark or other small things in the pages to use for references for glazes and colors for a project. Since all my current pottery is made from information I get in Nature, this allows me to make notes. The leaf itself is a note there in my binder.

2.) Fiber Arts: a folder of ideas for fibers works well for me. It is just a very simple folder that you might buy for a student to use for a class in school. It has pockets and you can put some transparent pages in it, too. I can put labels for yarns, pieces of yarns, etc. this folder is my sketchbook. I sort through my ideas at the beginning of the year and select some ideas to work with that year.

3) Encrusted bead worked amulets and magical pieces – For this medium I do not need a binder or folder. Instead, I need a container that will hold my stones and other objects for future use in a piece of art. The container I use is especially made for holding such items. There is a lid on the container and it fits tight so that if the container is dropped or shifted upside down, nothing will spill out. Inside, the bottom half of it is divided into separate boxes. Each little section holds a special object. When I open the lid, there is a wide array of stones and objects, waiting to be used in my next project.

When I am creating my encrusted bead worked pieces, I begin with a rock, stone or gemstone or object. That "thing" is the beginning of the idea that will develop as I begin to work with it. The object is actually my sketchbook and journal. I take information from that stone to guide me to what it will be eventually. I never know when I begin where the piece is going to go - I sort of pick out a palette of glass Japanese beads that I might use in the work, all based on the initial stone. Then, one very tiny bead at a time, I begin the tedious and long hours of working on this piece. It may take several months or even a year or two before the piece is completed. The piece itself becomes a journal of my creative and life journey during that time.

Regardless of your own creative journey, you need to have a sketchbook. Why not begin to think about it now. Take a little trip to the art supply store to see what is there that might work for you own needs. You may even visit a stationary store or special school supplies section at a variety store. You will find something that will be perfect for your needs. It does not have to be expensive or fancy. You can begin with whatever you have. Let me know how it works for you!

Create a Quiet Place to Read

2011-01-08T09:34:00.000-08:00

Create a special place in your home that is just for reading. I have done this recently and it has brought so much peace to my home. It is a special room that I can go to when I want solitude. Here I read and knit on the winter days that we have in western Pennsylvania. Here, I will share this secluded place with you today.

At the top of my list of favorite things would be books.

I savor the books by authors who challenge or uplift my mind and leave a residue of wonder behind long after I have read the final page. I close that book with regret that it has come to the end. I treasure the books that have fully developed characters. The characters become living people who transcend the ordinary and mundane and leave an impression on the reader. Books take me to places I have never been before. They take me to places I will never be going in person. They take me into their world where I meet individuals who each have something to share with me personally. I see them, listen to them, and I have communication with them, if the book is well written by a sensitive and honest author.

I have created a library in my home. It is a room on the second floor devoted to books and reading. In this room there are books on shelves from the floor to the ceiling. The books are surrounded by art works on the walls, tables, and pedestals. The art in the room reflect the things I like to be surrounded with - things made by friends, my husband, my children, and me.

There are paintings by friends and also paintings that I have created over the years. You can see photographs from friends, lithographs, stained glass pieces made by my husband, a woven tapestry by one of my daughters, a tapestry that I made many years ago. On a primitive table there are sculptures from Africa and one dynamic piece made by an artist friend. there is a tall black column of stone, a favorite sculpture made by an art school friend. Here you can find pottery that I recently made, handmade baskets woven out of cloth and honeysuckle vines, by West Virginia artisans. there is a striking Victorian style clock that once hung in my husband’s grandmother’s home. I seldom wind it up, but I enjoy it as a work of art.

This library is a place of solitude and peace. There is a futon and two chairs in the library. They form a circle in the center of this space. An overnight guest may stay there and be surrounded by art and literature and have a time apart to read, rest or relax. A space that holds books and art is a sacred space.

This is the room where I read my audio books. Since I can no longer see to read the physical books on the shelves, I use a special audio book machine that is provided to the blind and handicapped people through the US Library of Congress. The books I had selected arrive in my mail box and after I have read them, I put them back in the mailbox and they are sent on to another person to enjoy. This service is free to those of us who would be unable to enjoy books and reading without it. I am so appreciative of this service.

As I read the book, I am knitting on special projects. Right now, it is a Prayer Shawl. I do not yet know who the shawl will be for, but when the time is right, I will know.

My library room is the perfect place to spend the hours of a winter day. It is warm and comforting and time stands still here in the library. I bring my cup of tea with me, sit down in my high back chair that supports my back so well. I reach into my woven knitting basket, slowly pull out my soft and colorful yarn, pick up my smooth bamboo needles, and begin listening to my book.

Your library will reflect your own tastes and interests. Think about where you might create such a space for your own enjoyment. You do not have to be blind or handicapped to have such a wonderful place to read!

My Thanksgiving Wish for 2010

2010-11-16T06:39:00.000-08:00

A little girl, Isabella Daley, was adoped a year ago by a loving family who already had three children. "Bella" was born with multiple birth defects due to an assault on her while she was still in the womb, and drug use by the biological mother. The Daley family has given Bella the love that all children need. They have been with her through many hospitalizations, and other things that we would never know about when raising a normal child.

Isabella is now in need of therapies for the next year. These therapies will cost more than most any family could ever pay for and I thought that perhaps I could help Bella and her family our by getting the word out so that people know about the needs for Bella.

I have written about Bella on my FaceBook page. I have sent out a letter today to everyone on my E-mail address book. And, I am writing about Bella on this blog right now. As a blind person, this is something I can do in my way to help this family. I cannot help them by drinving them to doctor or hospital appointments. I would if I could. I cannot help them by going to their home and doing whatever needs done. I would have no way of getting there as it is too far away and I would not have transportation to get there. But, what I can do, is to tell YOU about this family and ask you to help by giving whatever amount you can give to the Isabella Daley Fund.

Here is the address to send your donation:

Isabella Daley Fund

P.O. Box 31

North Washington, PA 16048

When you send a gift, you can ask for the number that you can use to get your tax deduction if you need that.

I hope you will be able to give a gift of any size at all to help make MY Thanksgiving Wish come true for Bella this coming week.

Thank you for your generosity and love for children with special needs.

Be Sure to add your name as a "follower" of Bella on her blog so you get the updates every time they are published. And, if you are on FaceBook, type in "Saving Bella" in the SEARCH bar and you can "LIKE" this page and get updates daily there.

While you are at it, put yourself on as a FOLLOWer of mine for this blog, too!

Santa Writes Letters to Blind Children

2010-11-16T04:42:00.000-08:00

National Federation of the Blind
Partners with Santa to Promote Braille Literacy

Baltimore, Maryland (November 15, 2010): Once again, Santa has enlisted the help of the elves at the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Jernigan Institute to get Braille letters out to hundreds of blind boys and girls this Christmas season.

This notice arrived in my e-mailbox this morning.

Have you ever wondered how blind children communicate with Santa at Christmas time? Here is the answer.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “Santa approached the National Federation of the Blind a couple of years ago and asked us to be his helpers. I’m quite fond of the fellow and was delighted that we could assist him in his work. Braille literacy is the key to success and opportunity for the blind, but unfortunately too few blind children are learning it today. This program will not only spread holiday cheer but will also serve an important educational purpose, as blind children will be able to practice reading Braille as they enjoy their letter from merry Saint Nicholas.”

Between November 15 and December 20, parents can go online at www.nfb.org and fill out a Santa Braille Letter request form. The form can also be printed and faxed to (410) 685-2340. Beginning December 1, the Braille letters from Santa will start going out to boys and girls around the country. The Braille letter will also be accompanied by a print copy (for mom and dad to read), and parents can choose the contracted or uncontracted form of Braille for the letter. Requests for letters must include the writer’s name, the child’s name, birthday, gender, mailing address, and a telephone number or e-mail address in case Santa’s helpers at the National Federation of the Blind have questions.

The deadline for letter requests is December 20, to ensure that a return letter in Braille is received before Christmas. For more information about this and other programs of the National Federation of the Blind, please visit our Web site at www.nfb.org.

When You Come to a Roadblock: Slow Down and Stop

2010-11-12T04:54:00.000-08:00

One thing is certain.

Change will come.

Changes will be unexpected and will happen when you least expect them. Some changes will be welcome and you will embrace them. Some will be changes you might never have wanted and really won't want to embrace them and invite them inside for a visit. You have no choice in the matter. It is guaranteed that you will have changes as they are a part of our life. Some of the changes will be life altering. Sight loss is life altering. Sudden blindness comes unexpectedly and you are stopped in your tracks, confused, and uncertain what your next step will be. This blog is devoted to sight loss issues and how an artist deals with this situation. This is my way of communicating with others who have experienced sight loss, or are helping someone through this journey.

Recently, Channel 21 Youngstown, Ohio, WFMJ TV did a short feature on the changes that came to my life when in a few days time, I was plunged into a world of sight loss. As a visual artist, it would be the most dreaded situation. In this video I discuss the major change that I had three years ago, and how I have continued to be an artist despite the change.

The biggest difference in my life now, is that I was forced to slow down and stop for awhile.

It was like coming suddenly upon a stop sign along the road. You have to stop immediately and just sit there awhile until the light changes and you can then proceed on your journey. For a person like me who lived an intense life of teaching, lecturing, traveling, writing, and making art it was a sudden jolt.

The thing that caused the loss is not so important. What is important is what we do after the change happens to us.

I am learning to practice "mindfulness" during the day. Instead of continuing on at the frantic pace I had lived as a professor I find that now I have slowed down and have time to really appreciate my life so much more.

My mantra for the day is "Slow Down and Live."

Click Here for Video

Regia Kaffe Fassett Design Sock Yarn at Yarn Supply

2010-11-04T07:08:00.000-07:00

Regia Kaffe Fassett Design Sock Yarn at Yarn Supply

I have not knit a pair of socks in three years, since the sight loss.

I tried and tried, several times.

Finally, I set the sock yarn and needles aside and knew that I had to just take baby steps in regaining my knitting skills again. Mostly, for the past three years, I have knitted dish cloths and towels in cotton; Swing Jackets from Lion Brand Homespun yarn; and some Prayer Shawls for friends who have disabilities and some for myself to keep around my shoulders on cold winter days. I love to knit but it has been a challenge for me. I still cannot pick up a dropped stitch, or tear down a row or two to fix a mistake. My friend, Chris has done this for me when I am in a "fix."

Now, I have recently had a class in how to do the Magic Loop with a circular needle, knitting in the round. I belong to a fantastic group of blind crafters in a group called _ Krafter's Korner_ It is a division of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) organization. I signed up for this group on-line when I heard about it through another blind friend. Through contact with this group I have regained my confidence that I, too, can learn how to do more complicated patterns and be successful. So, with this in mind, I have ordered some stunning sock yarn, and some Addi Turbo circular needles that are super flexible. I am planning to knit a pair of socks again, using my new Addi Turbo's and my Kaffe Fassett yarns. I have ordered this yarn through http://www.yarnsupply.com and it arrived very quickly. The yarn looks wonderful.

This has motivated me to give it a try again. Learning to be patient, and willing to do things over and over again, with determination, is now my life style. Some days I still want to breeze through tasks, but then I get very frustrated and anxious when I do. I have to just tell myself to slow down, and enjoy the experience of re-learning things I used to do so easily.

The new yarn has inspired me to try and try and try again, to make socks.

I love to wear handmade socks. They feel so comforting and cozy on my feet.

Getting the Word Out

2010-10-21T06:40:00.000-07:00

I have become a missionary. My mission is to get the word out on sight loss. It's time to put the myths to rest. Find out what sight loss really means these days. Rehabilitation is available and you can live a good life AFTER sight loss.

I have a message to share with people. the message is not about what happened to me, or to any other person who has lost eye sight. How we lost our sight is really not as important as how we continued to life our lives AFTER we lost our sight.

Recently, I have done a number of interviews with regional newspapers and a TV station because I am an ARTIST who lost my eyesight three years ago. The "story" really is not that a I cannot see, but the story is that even though I cannot see I can still make VISUAL ART. Yes, it is amazing. I know now that anything is possible for those who want to move forward regardless of the losses we have had.

Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Homestead, PA was the place where I went to get the help I needed to begin to learn how to live my life in a new way. This non-profit organization is celebrating 100 years of service this year.

My story was one of the success stories published recently. The story is on the link that I have added to this article.

If you, or anyone you know needs some help in adjusting to personal blindness, why not give the BVRS a call and set up an appointment. You can arrange a visit the facility and SEE for yourself what you might learn to do. Getting help is a big first step towards your new life. Find out what you just might be missing.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_701676.html

Clusters of Blessings

2010-09-12T12:48:00.000-07:00

Clusters of Blessings

Sometimes life’s special moments come to us in clusters.

This week I was so conscious of blessings and opportunities that came my way, one after another. They came so rapidly that they overlapped at times. I felt like I stood on a white sand beach in Puerto Rico. As on a beach, I walked gently into the Caribbean. Warm waves flowed around me, gently. I felt buoyant, as though I did not even need to swim. My inner being said, “ lay back in the water and let the waves carry you.” The waves came in clusters as I relaxed.

What made me realize the clusters of blessings I was receiving?

Several things.

First, there will be an article and photograph of me in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette on Tuesday. It will be in a magazine section. The story will be about how I make art work for others to view even though I cannot see the work I have made because I have vision loss.

The story is part of a series of features on members of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. I am a member of this organization. When asked to describe what my greatest achievement has been to date, I said it is that I was able to remain the artist I am even after losing my vision. It is because an artist has a spirit inside that nothing can take away. It remains despite any physical challenges we endure. The art spirit is always with us.

The second thing that happened is that I have been selected for a feature article in the next edition of the newsletter published by the Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Homestead, PA. Deborah Mendenhall from the BVRS is writing this feature, and she has taken photos that will be published with the article. Her photos will also accompany the feature that will be published this week in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

And, finally the third interesting thing for me this week is that I have been asked to think about developing a special program or class on teaching pottery making to blind students. Just when I thought my teaching life was behind me, it popped up again. This time, in a very new and different way. I just might be interested. Perhaps I will never really be retired from teaching. Perhaps my teaching career is far from over. Perhaps a teacher’s life also comes in clusters.

New Vessels - From the Kiln

2010-07-06T05:18:00.000-07:00

COLOR and TEXTURE - It's All in the Layers!

The newest pieces to come ouot of the kiln were exciting to see. You never know just what is going on in there, till you finally get the firing over with and open the top of the kiln to have a look. As you take the pieces out one by one, it can be very exciting or not so exciting according to what you find there. This time, I was delighted with the results of the newest pieces as they emerged from their final trip to the kiln.

Two large vessels were experiments in color and texture. I experimented with layers of oxide stains. Two of the vessels are now finished and a third one will be going into the kiln soon. They are approximately 15 inches across the top, and 14 inches tall.

What interests me in my art making is the sense of "passage of time." I try to get a look and feel my works - things that show this passage somehow. These newest vessels achieved that feeling.

New Friends

2010-06-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

I have found some new friends who are creating art and crafts. They are also blind!

I was told about a group of artisans who are members of the National Foundation of the Blind organization. I have recently made contact with them. I registerd to be on their list of artists and I am now getting personal e-mails from some of the members.

It is amazing the things that these blind artisans are doing! I am so inspired by their notes on the site list and their notes to me personally. I hav found other people who do bead embroidery. I have not even tried to do it again since my sight loss. But, it has been on my mind all the time. That has been my desire, to once again be able to pick up a very slim needle, get out my gemstone cabachons, and tiny seed beads, and work on a project. I was doing "Encrusted Beadwork" at the time I lost my vision and have longed to be able to create some pieces once again. Now I know it is possible, because others are already doing it and have contacted me.

I am beginning to make pottery, and that has kept me occupied as I work my way through the process learning how to feel the clay and turn it from a piece of mud into something lovely. There are potters on this website and list, too.

And, knitting has been my passion for years. Yes, I have found other knitters, too.

What is so amazing is that these people do "classes" using the telephone call conferencing option. By doing this, people from all over the country can be in the same "place" at the same time, and be "in a class" together through the phone conference call. Amazing, isn't it!

Now you can understand why I am so excited. Daily, I am getting contact emeails from artisans who introduce themselves to me, the new member. And, I am having a blast meeting these talented and lively people. They make me realize that there is next to nothing that I cannot do again.

But, don't expect to see my driving by in my car. That won't be happening!

New Works from River Road Studio

2010-06-05T11:19:00.000-07:00

I have been having so much fun since I started making pottery!

You just never knew what new things you will do in your life. I find that being an artist is the most wonderful life a person could ever ask for. No matter what the challenges, art always comes through to bring us new surprises and new beginnings.

I was formerly a painter and print maker and did some tapestry weaving as well. When I lost my vision in 2007 that all changed overnight. At first I thought I would never be able to make "art" again. But I was still an "artist" inside so what would I ever do?

Over the Sight Loss journey I have been on for the past 2 1/2 years, I have started to do pottery. At first, a friend called me and told me she thought I could do pottery. She took me to classes and very slowly, I began to work in 3-D. My efforts at first were tentative and nervous. I struggled with the clay and with the idea of making pottery. But, it was not long until the artist took over and I began to learn to feel the clay, and to be one with the clay. Being one with your medium is essential to making art. You and the medium have to work together and once that begins to happen, it is exciting.

One of the projects I wanted to work on was to make three vessels in a series, using a template. I love to hand build with coils and I love the way you can work so large and powerful by using them. I made a template for the profile I wanted the vessels to have and then I began the process of working that shape into the outside of a 3-D surface.

My vision for the vessels was to reflect an ancient way of working and the image I was thinking about was the Venue of Willendorf. She is an ancient statue, tiny, and was found in Austria in an archaeological dig. I first saw photos of this little statue when I was an art student, in my Art History 101 class.

Let me introduce you to the Willendorf Sisters, a series of three large vessels. They were made with red clay bodies, and have a clear glaze applied. When the glaze is fired on the pot, it turns this soft pinkish/brown color. I was surprised and very pleased.

When I look at these vessels I am reminded of organs and delicate inner tissues inside the body. The color of them is feminine and delicate and they seem to ppulsate with life forces. I am very pleased with how they have turned out.

Organization Makes Sense to Me

2010-05-22T11:58:00.000-07:00

Careful Organization Helps Me Make Sense of My Life

My move into my new office bagan to take place in my imagination last January. It was only an idea, but it seemed to be a good idea. When we thought about it, it was almost overwhelming sometimes. But now it is a reality.

It would be a big step forward to move my office to a space where all my adaptive technology could be in one place. Bob and I have worked diligently the past few weeks to make that happen. What an enormous undertaking to move my office from one floor to another. We had decided that my office should be on the main floor of the house, just off the kitchen. It is a terrific place because now I have two walls surrounding me with large windows so that I am connected to the space outside the house. The trees, the weather, the sounds of people and traffic, birds, and wild creatures. All the things that motivate and stimulate you when you are working in a solitary space. I feel like I now have my own "command center." I feel in control.

There have been many days of sorting through my files and whittling them down. What do I need? What do I no longer use? What makes sense to keep? What should I do with this? or that?

I had to make some hard choices, but I did it. Boxes of things I can no longer use or need were taken out of the office and trashed, recycled, or given to someone else who could use something.

One artist friend walked away with an enormous box of slides taken over a 30 year period of all my art works. She will make them into art - they have become found objects now, for my friend. Lots of binders, and papers - all gone now. What a good feeling to purge your life of clutter. I highly recommend it to anyone. It gives you as sense of being in control again.

Our dogs Rocco and Mitchell have adjusted well to the new office. Rocco has two places where he can hide away by the hour as I work. Occasionally, I hear him snoring or moving about to stretch. Mitchell brings in her bones and lays in the center of the office on the new carpeting. She is in heaven when she has a nice big bone to chew on. It can last for weeks and she is content being here with me.

I am posting some photos I took today to show some slivers of the new office space and my collection of technological adaptive equipment in it. And, in one you can see a glimplse of Rocco in one of his new safe places, under the antique chest by the window.

Learning Life Lessons From Your Dog

2010-05-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

When I lost my vision in October 2007, I lost my career in academia. I was a college professor. I had gone through the Personal Adjustment to Blindness program, a fifteen week in-residence experience at the Blind and Vision Rehabilitation School, Homewood, PA. I lived there on the campus for a fifteen week period. I had to re-learn how to do most things that I had done most of my life, but in new ways. I had to learn how to read, using adaptive equipment instead of my eyes. I had to learn how to walk, using a long white cane. I learned simple things that we take for geranted, like how to put toothpast on a toothbrush when you cannot see it, and how to cut your nails again, or how to apply my make up when I caould no longer see my face. I even learned how to use a sewing machine again. It was a long and painful process at times. I got frustrated sometimes. I even got angry some times. But, all in all, it was the best experience of my life in many ways.

My next bit of training would be to learn how to operate computers and technology once again. As a professor I was very computer literate. Now, I would have to begin again and learn new ways of doing things I had done for years. Before that happened, though, my college decided to terminate me. It was the most shocking and humiliating experience of my life. It was far worse than dealing with sight loss, for I had been a very active scholar all my life and academia had been my life. I had a great career in my field and now it was ended because I had lost my sight. After this devestating situation with the termination of my professional life, I was determined to go on and to build my life anew in spite of my challenges. Though my teaching career was brought to an end, my real life began once again. I had many more life lessons to learn.

Living a guality and successful life once again, after sight loss, takes time. It is not a quick fix. I will never "get better." You cannot just go to get some rehab and be on your way. You have to learn how to live your life again and how to find value in your life when you can no longer do many things you once did with ease. And, most of all, you soon learn who your true friends really are. There were some disappointments when people I thought were my dearst friends literally shunned me. But, others stepped up and showed me love and support and gave me encouragement. It is great to really know who it is that truly is your friend. I know that now.

Bob and I had not had a dog for 17 years because we were not home very much to take proper care of a dog. I traveled in the summer to Europe, taking students on trips that lasted a month. Then, I gave lectures and presentations at conferences which took me out of state many times. My work schedule at the college was extermely harrowing at times. On many days, I was gone before 7 am and not back home before 9 pm. My hours in the classroom were intensive. Not only did I teach studio art classes which are three hours long, twice a week. I also taught Humanities classes and did art history lectures for them. In addition to all of this, I was in the English Department and I taught culture specific courses in literature and poetry. There would have ben no room in our week for a dog.

After sight loss, we began to think again about getting a dog. I did not want to get a guide dog because I did not want to have to take a dog with me everywhere I went. I live in the country, and do not really need a dog to get around. My white cane is just fine and all I need for traveling about when I am alone.

Our first dog was from a shelter. He is Rocco, a mixed breed dog who was 6 when we adopted him. He is Pomeranean and Shetland Sheep Dog. We got Rocco in January 2008. He was such an easy dog to have. He learned everything so quickly, and Rocco took me on as his special project. I am never out of his sight. Rocco became my personal companion. After 10 months we began to think about getting another dog. We thought Rocco would enjoy another dog and we had room for another one in our home and hearts.

Before we could really go looking for another dog at a shelter, a dog was abandoned near our home. Bob found Mitchell in the woods near our house, dropped off at the beginning of the cold winter frost. People had seen her running about for 2 days before we found her. We got her home and decided that she was the perfect dog for us and Rocco liked her immediately. They became best friends.

In order to be a better dog owner, I recently read the book_Caesar's Way_ by Caesar Milan (The Dog Whisperer). One important thing I learned from the book is that a dog lives "in the moment." I began to appreciate this in my dogs. I saw that every outing we take during the day is delightful to them regardless of the weather or conditions. They are filled with enthusiasm at the idea of a walk and the weather does not matter to them at all.

Today, I watched as they romped through the tall spring grasses along the creek where we walk. Rocco loves to lay in the warm sunshine, sniff the flowers, and just be contented as we are outside in the spring morning. Mitchell romps through the tall grasses. She likes to nibble at it, etating flowers, and other plants along the way. She stops to roll on her back in the grass. She smells it, rolls over, and gleefully rolls about on the grass. Time stands still as we experience the spring time here in western PA.

Dogs have so much to teach us humans about what makes life have quality. It is that they can enjoy the moment. We are often thining about the future, or the past, and worring about things that might or might not be...but the dogs are just enjoying their sunshine and grass.

I have come to appreciate the moment myself. Often throughout the day, I now sit and consciously think about the moment and try to stay in it and keep in in my mind and heart. The dogs have taught me so much more in such a short time. It was just a matter of learning to watch them and be aware of the moment along with them each day.

In the photo Mitchell pauses to have a look out the window at her backyard.

Google Alerts

2010-04-11T05:28:00.001-07:00

Did you know that you can set your email to receive notices about any topic you may want to follow? Yes, when a new blog is posted you will get an update telling you about the post. It will arrive on your Yahoo E-mail. All you need to do is set your email setting to receive these new posts through blogs or other sources, and you will get them daily in in your "in-box" at Yahoo. The SEARCH is done by using Google. It is called a Google Alert.

You can go to the "google search" information and set the paramaters for using this research service. You can have access to .edu sites, newspapers, and blogs. This will save you a lot of time, and bring the information directly to you in-box. I love it.

Just type in the different topics that you want to get daily information about. Mine is set for "sight loss" as I want to get information on this topic. Another one for me is "Ischemic Optic Neuropathy" since I have this condition and like to be kept updated on any research being done and current thoughts about the condition. Other things that interest me are also on my Goggle Alert list, and I get those listings, too. You can follow people or places this way as well.

I hope this help you. I like to do posts here that might help other people who have sight loss and I like to post articles that I write about my own ways of copping successfully with this handicap. I am a visual artist, author, and former professor of Fine Arts and Humanities. Let me know if I have helped you in some way, or if you need to ask me a question. I would be delighted to help you if I can.

Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

2010-03-01T05:15:00.000-08:00

What is Ischemic Optic Neuropathy?

How is it diagnosed"

What is the treatment?

Ischemic Optic Neuropathy is often associated with hypertension. This would be in 40% of the cases.

Other causes could be diabetes, at 20%

That leaves 40% due to other causes, which are really unknown. That is where I fall in, unknown cause of my disability.

Typically, this condition is seen in older persons, in the 70s or above.

For me, it happened when I was 64 years old. I was told I am very young to have this condition.

What happens when Ischemic Optic Neuropathy stirkes?

It is SUDDEN. One night you go to bed with normal vision, and in the morning you cannot see very well. My vision was blurred upon waking up one morning. I thought I just needed a good night's rest. But, my vision never cleared up, and remained blurred. A visit to my eye doctor revealed I had a "big problem." And, I was sent immediately to a specialist, and had emergency blood work done that day at the hospital.

It is characterized by acute, sudden vision loss, usually in one eye, and presents often with optic disc edema, blurred disc margins and flame-shaped retinal hemorrhages. An altitudinal visual field defect is also usually noted. If it is of the arteritic variety, then swollen, tender, temporal artery is involved along with pain on the side of the face between the outer eyes and ears. Lab tests and biopsy confirms the diagnosis. Treatment includes systemic steroid administration usually methylprednisone 1 gram IV each day for 3 days, then tapering the dosage until resolution. I was put on this medication immediately, and then had surgery for a temporal biopsy. I did not have the arteritic type of Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. I was thankful for that.

In my case it happened on January 1,2007 in my right eye. Then, ten months later, it happened in my left eye. More blood work, more steroids, and another surgery for biopsy followed the second episode. It is now 3 years since my journey into sight loss began.

Reading the Stuff of Life

2010-02-19T12:51:00.000-08:00

What a delightful time I am having as I read _The Power of Myth_ by Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers. This book was on my book shelves for a number of years. It is a larger book that is easily noticable there on the shleves. I often picked it up and looked through it, waiting for a time when I could sit down and really learn what is there between the covers.

As a Professor of Fine Art and Literature, it was always my intention to read a number of books “when I retire.” My profession was one requiring extensive reading. I loved to read and I devoured books and periodicals like there was no tomorrow. However, the reading I did for my courses were all centered around what I was teaching. I longed to be able to have time to read outside my course materials and requirements. I kept theinking that someday I would be able to do that, when I reitre. And, so, I kept those thoughts inside of me and began to work towards that magical future time when I could read to my heart's content with no goal of ever teaching the material. I would read it just for me. I would read to satisfy my inner longings. I would read for my soul alone.

I have been collecting a treasure trove of books for that purpose. I gathered them, put them on shelves in my cozy home office, and had no idea when the day would come when I could read books and not run about driving back and forth to work at the college, and putting together extensive folders of classes, and grading papers by the hour. I thought, some day I can just read all the books I have wanted to read and will have the time to do it. I spent my life organizing classes, taking students on international trips, writing conference presentations and professional development projects.

Of course, I had no way of knowing when I would retire. Sometimes I would think I might retire when i turned 65 years old. When I was 64 years old, I would think, well, I probably will work until I am 70. I had no idea of just exactly when this book reading project would begin. I continued to gather my books and line my shelves in anticipation for that day.

What did I collect? What is on my shelves? Most noticable on my shelves are books of poetry, rows and rows of books of poetry. Some books are about poetry, and writing poetry, but mostly the books are written by poets I like or ones I want to read. There is something about a book of poetry that touches my heart. It speaks to me. I hold it in my hands and carefully feel the cool heft of that book. It is smooth. The cover intrigues me. There is often an art work on the cover. But, the book itself is a work of art, an object to be admired and an object that is like a sculpture that exists in a three dimensional space. I like that.

Let me just share some favorite poets who reside on my shelves:
Robert Bly beckoned me as an undergraduate student. He drew me into the world of nature with images of snow, trees, and a dying seal on a beach. I learned to love and respect mythology through reading his poems. I learned to travel in a world of the mystical that one arrives at through images that are all around me, the ordinary stuff of life.

Louise Gluck is there for me. The world of flowers and plants bring me closer to the illusive and unnamable. I nearly tremble as I encounter her voice in a summer flower in the garden. She gives the iris and the rose a voice, and I am right there listening to what they have to say.

Walt Whitman waits there for me to join him in his walk down the road. I want to travel with him and feel the wind at my back or the sun on my face. I want to scream out into the landscape as we walk together, to be a part of it all.

There are many more poets and books and journeys I will take to places that are written about and places that were sung before the days of recorded time, when everyone knew that the gods were in control of the universe and the telling of stories were part of a ritual that occurrred at certain times of every year.

I could not have known that it would take something like a catastrophe to stop me in my tracks, make me slow down, and learn how to live my life in a new way. I had to learn how to be rather than how to do, to enter into the real world. I knew that. I always knew that.

I am reading books now through the use of a tape player provided for the Blind and Handicapped through the National Library of Congress. I am able to order any books I would like to read. They come directly to my house and are sent through the postal service. In my mailbox, there will be a green vinyl case and in that case will be a number of tapes that I can put into the special player provided for this purpose. The tapes are four sided. I flick a switch to change tape sides, and turn the tapes over when instructed to do so. As I while away the hours of this winter afternoon, I am reading the book that I have waited so long to be able to read. It is such a wonderful thing for me.

As I read, I also knit on projects that I am working on. Right now, it id a series of basket weave dish cloths. I hope to sell the dish cloths in the fall at the holiday art festivals. They are very lovely cloths, and feel so good and soft to the touch. They are much nicer than the machine ones that are available in stores. And, these ones are hand knitted by me. I like to think that the good thoughts and feelings I have while I am reading and knitting are saturated into the finished cloths. I imagine that someone will pick up one of my cloths, hold it in the hand, and just pause for a moment to have a look at the pattern and to feel the soft yarn, and just for a moment, remember the hands of the woman who made it. That might sound rather silly, but I think that everything we do, when we do it with love, is something that touches another person in a deep way. My spirit reaches out to another fellow traveler on this pathway of our life through the things I make on a cold winter day in the solitude of my living room, as I read a wonderful book.

As I cast my eyes around the shelves here in my office, I am surrounded by books I have collected. For some authors, I have tried to gather a number of books so that there is some continuity in what I am learning from that author. When there is an author I likek, then I want to know more. I want to reach into the innermost places of the author’s spirit and touch that quiet place with my own soul. The books bring “knowing” to me and they are very personal. I think of the years it will take for me to read all these books who surround me with their presence every day. And, I will add to them as I go along.

For today, with the warmth of the winter sunshine gleaming through my windows, and the snow that has stacked up on the roof of the house begins to melt and the icicles drip and grow smaller, I rejoice. To be surrounded by good books is the most delightful condition I could ever find for myself. I am utterly thankful for this time away from the bustle and frenzy that was my professional life just two long years ago. The loss of eye sight bright new vision to my soul and new life to my daily walk.

My two dogs lays nearby as I write. They are asleep. One is curled up into a small form, the other one is on his side, stretched out, and relaxed in sleep. Good books and contented dogs make for a real life. This is the stuff of life.

What is it like to go shopping when you cannot see?

2010-01-27T11:09:00.000-08:00

One of the difficulties I live with now, is that I cannot go shopping by myself Not only can I not get anywhere without someone driving me there, I cannot do much shopping once I do arrive at a store. It would really be impossible for me to shop alone and get anything significant done while on my shopping trip.

In the grocery store, because of a slight bit of peripheral vision that I have, I can identify what department I am standing in. I know the deli from the produce department, or the candy area from the dairy area. So, in general, I know about where I am in the grocery store. What I do not know is exactly what items I am "looking" at while in that area. I have to pick up an apple and roll it around in my hand to know it is an apple. Once I am sure it is an apple, then I won't know if it is a good apple or one with decay spots on it. I can feel if it is a bit softer than I would want it to be, but I won't know if it is damaged or getting spoiled. And, certainly I will not know what type of apple I am holding.

At the dairy dept, I will have no clue as to what kind of milk I would be picking up, or if it is really orange juice, or eggnog that I have in my hand. While I will know I am probably looking at the cheese area in the dairy case, I will not know what type of cheese it is, or if it is something that is not cheese in that package. Instead of getting a container of butter, I might be holding a container of dip or salsa. And, to even consider what a price is, well, that simply can never happen. Price comparison shopping is something that is in the distant past, and something i will never be able to do again.

In the clothing store, I will know I am in the ladies sportswear department. What I will not know is what color the item is, what size it is, or how much it costs. I can feel that it might be shorts, or a blouse, or a sweater. But, the details that I need to have to know what to buy are absent. Without a person with me, I would not be able to shop for myself once I am in the store.

What I was trained to do is to go to the Customer Service area, announce that I am visually impaired (as if they would not know that when they wee my long white cane!) and ask for assistance. Of course, I would be only able to ask for one or two items as the store would frown on someone serving as my "personal shopper" for any extended amount of time. That means, I have to decide before I go in the store exactly what items I want to buy, and memorize my list so I am efficient. I must be able to say exactly what items I will need and ask them to help me get them. What I can buy in this way is very limited and totally dependent upon someone from the store helping me get them. Some of my blind friends have waited on someone at Customer Service to help them for half an hour or more. One friend had a two hour wait, patiently, on the bench by Customer Service where he was told to wait for someone to help him. You wait until someone is free and can give you a few moments of help. It can be very discouraging. But, you have no choice in the matter, so you wait.

Once I have my items I can go through the checkout myself, and out the door. I can count out the right amount of money, and I will discuss how that is done in my next post here. Once the shopping is finished, then, I need someone to pick me up and get me back home. For a person who traveled all over the world alone, prior to sight loss, this is quite an adjustment. A time or two, I have had a meltdown in the process. It can be frightening, as well as requiring much patience at every step of the way. Most of all, any trip outside my home required a lot of advance planning on my part.

You may wonder what things might look like to a person with sight loss. I found a photo on a link that can give you a little bit of an idea. For me, I see nothing clearly at all. I can detect light from darkness, and I can see contrasts, but everything is ghostlike in nature. I see just the outline of forms, so I know if I am standing near someone. I am thankful for this amount of sight that I have.

Many senior citizens are going through a gradual sight loss due to Macular Degeneration. Some of them will be completely blind in a matter of years. Others may maintain some vision, or have low vision. This site can give you some idea of what that is like. It is all VERY interesting!

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/23539844/what-shopping-might-look-like-to-people-with-sight-loss

3-D Goggles for Stroke Victims

2010-01-19T11:01:00.000-08:00

You may be surprised to know that some stroke victims cannot see due to brain damage. However, they cannot tell you they can't see. A new breakthrough might just be found in the entertainment Industry, and the use of 3-D glasses much like the ones you would wear to see _Avatar. Check this out for yourself.

http://www.physorg.com/news183051448.html

Degress of Sight Loss

2010-01-17T11:30:00.000-08:00

Most people know nothing about Sight Loss or Blindness. I certainly didn't know much of anything until two years ago. These days, I am learning so much. It seems that each week, I learn something new. For instance, today I learned that my own medical condition would be classified as "Profound Visual Impairment or Profound Low Vision." It is just the step above "Near-total Blindness." But, the term "blind" applies to all levels.

At my level of "Profound Visual Impairment" I cannot read any text, regardless of how large it is. Magnifiers do not help me, nor does it help me to put a light onto something. In fact, putting a light onto something completely wipes it out. I am light sensetive, and cannot tolerate the light. I have to wear special glasses when I am in a room that is brightly lighted. And, especially when I am outdoors. A sunny day is very uncomfortable for me, even with the darkest glasses. I am literally blinded by light, no helped by it.

I found the following information on Low Vision. I have tweaked and edited it for clarity and easier reading. You can visit this site for additional information: http://www.radiotelecomando.org/2010/01/06/what-is-considered-lowpoor-vision/

____Low Vision, can be referred to as poor vision.
This happens when a person has lost her sight to such a degree that it is not completely restored using such aids as surgery and prescription eyeglasses. Such sight loss can include poor night vision, blind spots, and a glare preventing one from seeing clearly.

Total blindness is not considered low vision.
There is still some sight with low vision. It may only be that this person can know if there is light or dark. Low vision is normally associated with people who are “legally blind” and require vision aids.

The American Optometric Association classifies low vision in two categories:

1.) Partially Sighted:
Visual acuity is between 20/70 and 20/200 with conventional prescription lenses.

2.) Legally Blind:
Visual acuity no better than 20/200 with conventional correction and/or a restricted field of vision less than 20 degrees wide.

The World Health Organization classifies visual impairment as:-
20/30 to 20/60: Mild vision loss, or near-normal vision-
20/70 to 20/160: Moderate visual impairment, or moderate low vision-
20/200 to 20/400: Severe visual impairment, or severe low vision-
20/500 to 20/1,000: Profound visual impairment, or profound low vision-
less than 20/1,000: Near-total visual impairment, or near total blindness

Low vision can result from a number of conditions that can include inherited diseases, birth defects, macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, strokes, sleep apnea, and physical injuries.

It can also result from such circumstances as diabetes, cancer of the eye, albinism, or a brain injury.

How is Low Vision diagnosed?
Eye care specialists can diagnose low vision by using lighting, magnifiers, and visual testing charts. Low vision is often seen in adults over 45, especially the elderly.

The most common types of low vision include:
- Central Vision Loss: A blind spot in the center of a person’s vision
- Peripheral Vision Loss: Cannot see on either side, above or below eye leve
- Night Blindness: Problems seeing in poorly lit areas
- Blurred Vision: Objects both near and far are blurry. For instance, refractive error is an
eye disease where the shape of the eye does not bend light properly, resulting in a blurry
image.

Common refractive conditions include:
myopia (short sight)
hypermetropia, (long sight)
presbyopia, (aging of the lens)
astigmatism (irregular curvature of the lens.)
-Hazy Vision: Vision appears to be covered with a film or glare.

Signs that may suggest low vision include:
- Not recognizing faces
- Performing activities where you find yourself looking closely such as when reading,
watching television, or sewing
- Picking out the wrong clothing colors
- Turning on bright lights to see well
- Unable to read street signs

Low vision can often be treated using such aids as hand magnifiers, lenses that filter light, reading prisms, magnifying glasses, telescopic glasses, and closed-circuit television.Non medical aids that can help a person with low vision include talking watches and clocks, text reading software, large print books and magazines, clocks, phones, and watches that have larger numbers…etc.Due to technological developments in the field of low vision rehabilitation, today most people suffering from low vision can be helped to improve the quality of their lives. Visual aids improve both sight and the quality of life for many people. If you are having problems with your sight, see an eye doctor for testing.

Here she comes!

2010-01-16T11:10:00.000-08:00

"I am standing on the seashore. A ship spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean. I stand watching her until she fades on the horizon, and someone at my side says, "She is gone." Gone where? The loss of sight is in me, not in her. Just at the moment when someone says, "She is gone," there are others who are watching her coming. Other voices take up the glad shout, "Here she comes."
--Henry Scott Holland.

http://ramondpresson.typepad.com/sight_lines/2010/01/the-voyage-of-passing.html

I found this today on a website. It stopped me in my tracks.

This quote evokes a memory for me. It is a dreamscape. I see it with my eyes closed.

I have always made art. I cannot remember not creating. My work is often referred to as a "dreamscape." These days, thought I cannot make paintings and woodcut prints any longer, I am still creating. How does a person every stop creating. I can't imagine that.

Recently, I began to focus on creating with clay. Pottery. It, too, springs forth from that place inside my soul where all my works have emerged from my whole career. It is like going on a voyage, deep within myself. It is the "unseen" that I have always held in my mind's eye as I worked. I still do. Now, it is done with clay.

I understand the journey much better now that I cannot see. Things I do not see here, are seen another place. I cannot see from this direction, but from another viewing point, I see perfectly well. It is an exciting journey, Inner Vision.

The Silent Thief of Sight

2010-01-12T10:51:00.000-08:00

Glaucoma!

During my residency experience at the Blind and Vision Rehabilitation School, Homestead, PA, I met a number of other blind people who have Glaucoma. Up until that time, it was only a word for me, and I had no understanding of what it does to people. Now, I know a lot more about it and when I think of Glaucoma, I envision some of my fellow students at the school.

You need to know this: it sneaks up on you and without warning, you are having BIG problems.

Read the website I have enclosed here for more information on the "Silent Thief of Sight." It IS teatable and if it is detected in the early stages you have a much better chance of avoiding sight loss.

The earlier the better for treating this disease. A very simple test with your regular eye exam can detect Glaucoma. Be sure to have a regular eye exam, even if you have no symptoms at all. Your eye sight is precious, guard it carefully.

http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2010/01/12/life/doc4b4ba9e0d21b5860620586.txt

When your vision is NOT normal...

2010-01-09T12:51:00.000-08:00

Please read over some of the symptoms I have listed so that you are aware of possible problems with your eye sight.

If you notice some of these things, do not assume that it is normal.
These are red flags, so pay attention. Go immediately to your eye specialist and report this situation. Prompt action can save your eyesight.

I am listing several possible indications of eye problems. If you have any, see you doctor:

1. Severe headaches especially in the eye area. Sometimes vision is blurred or you may even see an "aura" of colors and light before the headache even begins.
2. Blurred vision when reading a book or newspaper. You may think this is just stress, or that you are tired and need rest. But, maybe it is something more serious.
3. Trouble driving at night - lights bother you, and the road seems very black and glaring.
4. A noticable depth perception, especially when walking down steps
5. Floaters - black spots that seem to float across your vision. You may think that a bug is flying about your face.
6. Sensitivity to light, such as in sunlight, or in a building that has florescent lighting
7. Pain in the eyes for no apparent reason
8. Bloodshot eyes for no apparent reason
9. If your glasses do not seem to be working any more. If things are blurred even while wearing glasses you may just need a change in prescription, or, you may be experiencing a larger problem.

I found another good site that has information on sight loss. Please check it out, too.

For more information please visit this link.
http://www.personalliberty.com/health-tips/is-my-vision-loss-normal/

Embrace Change

2010-01-08T07:51:00.000-08:00

“I wanted a perfect ending... Now, I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.“ ~ Gilda Radner

This blog is written for people who embrace Delicious Ambiguity.

It is an exciting thought- that our life has no clear beginning, often times it has no discernable middle part, and the ending is not yet written. There is no expiration date written on us anywhere.

The certainty we have is that we will change. Change is the one constant in our life.

Embrace Change.

My sight loss has brought about many changes in me. I have met wonderful new friends I would not have known otherwise. I know about things I never knew before. I was launched onto a new path and the journey continues. It is exciting for me. I embrace my journey and I hope you embrace yours, too.

Blind People Make Art

2010-01-05T09:58:00.000-08:00

I am an artist. It is not something that happens to you overnight. You cannot plan to become an artist, or dream it up one day and then begin. It is something that you were born with and remains the core of who you are for your entire life, and beyond. It is something that you are deep down inside your soul. There is nothing that can take away your creative spirit, even loss of vision.

The creative person thinks creatively in all circumstances. When sight loss occurred in my life, I resolved to figure out just how I would continue to be the creative person I have always been. I started with something I had done most of my life. That is, knitting.

At first I could not do it again. Then, after a number of failed attempts, I realized that I was failing because I was trying to see my knitting with my eyes. Since they were no longer working, I realized I had to begin to see with my fingers instead. That worked! Soon, I was knitting away on a sweater that I would send to the Knit for Kids project, through Guideposts Magazine. After my first one, I went on to knit six sweaters last year to send to the project that provides sweaters to needy children worldwide.

The next thing I began to do was to work in clay. I started off slowly, and hesitatingly. But, after a short time, I was attempting large and ambitious projects. I took six courses at a local art center, and the teacher was a gem and not at all afraid of figuring out how to help a person who cannot see the work in progress. She was excited at my achievements and successful pieces. She worked with me to learn to do my pottery by touch rather than sight. I have now been making pottery for two years and my work will be in an exhibition at the art center this month. This will be my first fine art exhibition since sight loss.

I decided to do things that are realistic for me to do. The things that I no longer do, painting and printmaking, are not important to me. I am very pleased that I can now make pottery, and can still knit, and make jewelry again. Creativity takes many paths in our development as artists. Life does not end when we are faced with the beginning of a new pathway. Rather, the new pathway is an exciting new adventure for us.

You can visit my website to see some of my work. Be sure to drop me a note to let me know you visited. I will be watching for you! Thanks for taking a look at m;y work.

Living With Nature

2010-01-04T06:20:00.000-08:00

I like this blog:

Living With Nature

Click on the link and plan to spend some time reading and reflecting on what your life COULD be like in comparison to what it seems to be like right now.

January is the time for reflecting on your life, deciding what you want to change, and how you might do it. I think you will enjoy tis blog very much. And, I think your life can change. This is the season for reflection and transformation. While away the winter months as you think about the new you. Transformation is the key to a joyous life.

What to do When you Meet a Sighted Person

2010-01-03T10:54:00.000-08:00

What To Do When You Meet A Sighted Person

People who use their eyes to acquire information about the world are called sighted people or "people who are sighted".

Legal sight means any visual acuity greater than 20/200 in the better eye without correction or an angle of vision wider than 20 degrees.

Sighted people enjoy rich, full lives working, playing and raising families.
They run businesses, hold public offices, get arrested and teach your children!

How do Sighted People get around?
People who are sighted may walk or ride public transportation but most choose to travel long distances by operating their own motor vehicles, usually one passenger to a car.
They have gone through many hours of extensive training to learn the rules of the road in order to further their independence. Once that road to freedom has been mastered, sighted people earn a legal classification and a driver’s license which allows them to operate aprivate vehicle relatively safely and independently.

How do you assist a sighted person?
Sighted people are accustomed to viewing the world in visual terms.

This means that in many situations they will not be able to communicate orally and may resort to stammering, pointing, hand waving or other gesturing. Subtle facial expressions may also be used to convey feelings in social situations. Calmly alert the sighted person to his or her surroundings by speaking slowly in a normal tone of voice. Questions directed at the sighted person help focus attention back on the verbal rather than the merelyvisual.

How do sighted people remember things?
Often they don't remember things.
In fact, this is one of the most painful aspects of the visual affliction.
The degree to which sight inhibits lack a detailed memory is amazing.
Often, the sighted person must reacquire the same information each time it is needed. You can help by being sensitive to their struggle by learning to anticipate their need and providing them with the information they need when it is necessary. Don't tell them too much too quickly. Be sensitive to the capacities of the individual with whom you are dealing. These limitations vary from person to person and it is deeply upsetting to a sighted person to realize that you recognize their mental shortcomings.

At times sighted people need help finding things, especially when operating a motor vehicle. Your advance knowledge of routs, landmarks, bumps in the road, and traffic lights will assist the sighted person in finding their way quickly and easily. Your knowledge of building layouts can also assist the sighted person in navigatingcomplex shopping malls and office buildings. Sighted people tend to be very proud and are reluctant to ask for assistance. Be gentle yet firm.

How do sighted people use computers?
The sighted person relies exclusively on visual information.

His or her attention span fades quickly when reading long texts so it is best to write in bulleted listsof very brief items.

The use of bright colors will help the sightedperson stay focused.

Computer information is presented to the sighted in a graphical manner to assist them in comprehending their world. Coordination of hands and eyes is often a preoccupation with sighted people so the computer mouse, a handy device that slides along the desk top, saves confusing keystrokes. With one button the sighted person can move around his or her computer screen quickly and easily, if not necessarily efficiently. People who are sighted are not accustomed to synthetic speech and may have great difficulty understanding even the clearest synthesizer, falling asleep between syllables or becoming distracted by a spot on the carpet.

Be patient and prepared to explain many times how your computer works.

How do sighted people read?
Reading is accomplished by the sighted person through a system called "print," which is a series of images drawn in a two dimensional plane. People who are sighted generally have a poorly developed sense of touch.

Braille is completely foreign to them and severe bouts of disorientation can sometimes result from over exposure to the use of the higher senses. Sighted people cannot function well in dimly lit conditions and are generally completely helpless and often devastatingly frightened in total darkness. Their homes are usually very brightly lit at great expense as are businesses that cater to the sighted. Naturally thesecosts are passed on to the consumer.

How can I support the sighted person?
People who are sighted do not want your charity.
They want to live, work, and play alongside you on as equal a basis as possible. You must ignore their tendency to display feelings that they are superior to you. Failing to allow them this delusion may promote aberrant and antisocial behavior. The best thing you can do to support sighted people in your community is simply open yourself to their world and help open their limited world to the bounty of your experience. These citizens are vital contributing members of the community, real people with thoughts and feelings, hopes and dreams and a story to tell.

Take a sighted person to lunch today and make them feel like you truly care.

Note: I have no idea who the author of this is. I received it from a blind friend, via email. I thought it was very humorous and I hope you do to. It is also quite educational.