Blind Art - Open Heart

These portraits are my own personal investigation into relationships with people and critters I know or have met, into aspects of myself and into aspects of the human condition. Drawn in the blind contour fashion: with eyes closed or while looking at a photo, not at the paper, the drawing is usually done with the pen or pencil staying on the paper for the entire drawing, creating one continuous line.  Once drawn, I then open my eyes to paint. During the process I am trying less to  create an accurate representation of the physical look, instead, I am  trying to connect to and express the spirit or story. This style arose from my deep desire to paint and right next to it my fear that I would be stalled in perfectionism.

I work mostly on 22” x 28” acid-free paper using acrylics and sometimes embellishing the work with collage text. Having completed over 100 paintings in the last 2 years I am happiest when I paint daily. This process continues to give me pleasure and the opportunity to try new things as a painter.

Tish McAllise Sjoberg