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Second Sense - Beyond Vision Loss

Barbara Romain

When I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in 1984, and became legally blind, I questioned my ability to continue painting.  As a professionally trained artist, I had to transform my thinking and techniques to incorporate my physical limitations as an integral part of my work.

My color palette has grown stronger as my sight diminishes.  Experimentation with color is an important aspect of my work.

I create original stencils to form iconic imagery—as free-hand drawing of specific subjects is often challenging.  Gestures of my body replace the precision of my eyes in making marks on the canvas.

In many of my paintings I use text as a “weaving of words, creating a complex, layered image where the viewer is invited to create his/her own poetry.

I am now inspired less by what I see and more by what I hear, remember and imagine.

 

Not a Blue Dog

Where I live it's Spring