As a visually impaired artist, I’ve already reinvented myself once—transitioning from a 20-year photography career to painting after my vision began to decline. Now, I’m stepping into another creative unknown: tactile, multi-sensory art.

During this residency, I’ll collaborate with Kirina, my creative partner (and driver, due to my vision loss), who lives in a glamping tent on our rural property. We currently share a tiny shack studio that limits our ability to experiment or work on larger-scale pieces. Together, we’re both diving into tactile art with limited prior experience, eager to explore this new realm. We’ll work with unconventional materials—feathers, styrofoam, layered fabrics, and natural textures—to create inclusive artwork meant to be felt as well as seen. These pieces will be designed for blind, low-vision, and sighted audiences to experience together.

We’re taking a bold step by learning and building something new side by side. With dedicated space, we can immerse ourselves fully, test ideas, and grow in ways not possible in our current setup. Open studio hours will invite feedback from people with diverse sensory experiences, shaping our creative process in real time. This project is a leap toward deeper creativity and connection.