 "I was one of those people who said, "I cannot draw;" but at forty-six, my remaining vision deteriorated. so there was no time left for mind blocks.
I started to paint with acrylics; and the process is teaching me how I perceive the world. I perceive Phantom Visions; which are vibrantly coloured and detailed, and spontaneously appear and disappear. The way I see seems magic; because my imagination dresses up a drab scene: a tin shed becomes a creek, dead weed looks like a blossom.
My vision has to guess all the time; so it draws my own world. I create faces; so it is normal to have yellow or purple skin, and missing nose and mouth. On a sunny day, my vision is distorted by glare, lights and shadows; so I appreciate full clouddays and full moon nights.
People often describe my work as surreal, wimsical, bold. I think it has to be. I don't have the visual judgement to work too much on a piece. Eye tests show that my left eye is now blind, and my right eye has 5%, and I'm colour blind, but I love colour. I can "see" colour my way. Even if I pick up the wrong pastel, it doesn't matter. If I enjoy the visual impact, I am satisfied. And when a colour is pointed out, I sometimes can see it as that colour.
I now use pastels more than paint. There is more direct contact with the paper or canvas; and mixing paint colours is a challenge for most artists.
I am asked "How do you get such detail?" I don't really know. Sometimes I don't look. I guess. I avoid a definite expectation of the final artwork; then I am free for the image to evolve. Glasses do not help; because it is my Optic Nerve that is defective, not my eyes. Hence I cannot adjust nor correct my vision.
Since drawing, I realise that sometimes I don't know whether I see or perceive what is about me; and this is probably reflected in my work. It is fun to draw creatures that stay still for prolonged periods; as I have time to see them e.g. owls and frogs and humans.
If you think you can't draw, and you'd like to, try it."
Claire Hogan has exhibited at the Byron Bay Arts Festiva, the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery , the Gwyder Arts Exhibition and Local galleries.
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