Your Eyes, My Vision

September 22, 2022 - Testimonial From My Project Mentor

When I first started Rock Art Canada, almost four years ago, my intention was for it to be a part of the “Kindness rocks” movement, leaving painted rocks for the public to find as a random act of kindness, and post their “finds”. At the same time, creating a safe place for everyone to share their painting/art/crafts and encourage everyone to give rock painting a try. Kristy Kassie, I thank you for giving me the sense of accomplishing my main goal.

I met Kristy through this group, the first time in person a few years ago when I delivered a rock painting kit to her. (One of my projects funded by Neighbourhood Small Grants/Vancouver Foundation that allowed me to purchase supplies to make rock painting kits and deliver to 54 families in the area) I was immediately amazed and intrigued by Kristy’s artistic ability, and motivation to learn painting techniques, despite being partially sighted. Earlier this year, the Victoria Society of Blind Arts & Culture (VSBAC) opened up a wonderful opportunity for those blind/partially sighted who wish to create art to be paired with sighted mentors with “Your eyes, my vision” project.

I was honoured to be chosen by Kristy to be her mentor. Kristy’s lovely project idea was to paint sunflowers on rocks in support of Ukraine. Although Kristy may think that I’ve taught her a lot, at the same time, I have learned so much from her, and her boyfriend, Shawn. During our painting sessions, we chatted and learned we have a lot in common. Her family is from the Caribbean and mine from Asia, but we have many cultural similarities. We are both almost the same age, enjoy art, cooking, eating spicy food, and listening to “spicy music”.

So, the next time you see someone with a white cane/walking probe, please refrain from judging, say hello and be kind. We are all human and all the same.

September 21, 2022

I had permission to spend $500 on rocks for this project. In the end, 440 pounds of rocks cost $50. No money could ever buy having such a fun morning in the sunshine with Shawn and Dbelle El. #YourEyesMyVision #KristyKassieRocks #SunflowersForUkraine

August 31, 2022

So flattered that the New Westminster Record contacted me about my #YourEyesMyVision project. The piece is a little sappy for my liking but I'm happy this project received some media attention. I think it's extra cool that Shawn, my boyfriend who is completely blind, snapped the photos included in the article. Read the article. #KristyKassieRocks #SunflowersForUkraine

August 28, 2022

Left five #YourEyesMyVision rocks in the Vanier Park neighborhood today, Including with a woman who is growing her own beautiful, regal sunflowers. If you discover one of my rocks, hope it makes you smile and feel free to hashtagMe. #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRocks

August 27, 2022

Left a few #YourEyesMyVision rocks behind on my way back from watching fireworks tonight. Hope to bring a smile to whoever finds them. #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRocks

August 26, 2022

Dropped a few #YourEyesMyVision rocks on a couple benches and near a couple businesses during my errand run today in Uptown #newwest. Hope they make someone smile. #KristyKassieRocks #sunflowersforukraine

August 23, 2022

My #YourEyesMyVision rocks have begun their journeys, In the hopes that they spread joy and give courage. The first two went to the Queensborough Community Centre rock garden last Saturday. Six more were dropped off on benches in the Mount Pleasant area this afternoon. Some will be placed near the #newwest Library in the next few days. I’ll take a few with me to #BardOnTheBeach this coming Saturday. And the rock drop offs will continue as long as I keep painting them! If you’re lucky enough to find one, hope it makes you smile and hope you’ll hashtag me and let me know. #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRocks

August 20, 2022

A blind guy and a partially sighted girl walk into a rock painting event. They get guided to a picnic table, unpack their paint supplies and spend two hours happily painting rocks and chatting with other attendees. Oops, were you expecting a sob story or a punch line? Inclusion rocks, no pun intended. #YourEyesMyVision #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRocks

August 18, 2022

Starting the process of tagging my rocks so that, when I spread them throughout my community and beyond, people hopefully mention them on social media. #YourEyesMyVision #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRocks

August 1, 2022

My last batch of sunflower rocks, at least as far as the #YourEyesMyVision project goes. My petals come out more loopy than pointed but I’ll keep practicing. I am getting used to manipulating different paintbrushes to achieve different shapes and effects. Also getting better at blending multiple shades of the same color to create dimension. Attempted painting on a patterned background for the first time and I think it turned out better than I expected, even though it drove my eyes crazy. Ecstatic that my painted flowers no longer look like blobs! It was so much fun and so informative working with a cited mentor who has a passion for painting rocks. One more session with her to label and hashtag all the rocks I’ve painted so that we can hide them in my neighborhood and beyond to, hopefully, bring people joy. Looking forward to talking about this project on VocalEye #AlmostLive next spring. #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRock

July 30, 2022

Last nights batch of sealed sunflowers. I think it needs another coat of varnish and a couple need a few touchups but, all in all, pleased with this set. #YourEyesMyVision #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRocks

July 29, 2022

I’ve had several people who pass by my patio while I’m painting ask if I sell my rocks. It’s very flattering considering I think of myself as a very, very, very amateur artist. Experimented with glitter and holographic varnish for this batch. #YourEyesMyVision #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRocks

July 23, 2022

My #YourEyesMyVision art mentor took this photo before we started our session yesterday. I had completed and sealed these rocks the night before. She was very impressed at how unique each of my rocks turn out. #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRocks

July 23, 2022

Another enjoyable rock painting session with Dbelle El. Our next session might be our final one as we are nearing the labeling phase. Then most of these rocks will be spread throughout my community and hopefully beyond. #YourEyesMyVision #Sunflowers for Ukraine #KristyKassieRocks #newwest

July 22, 2022

Why my right eye has ached and has been puffy for the last week. Painting flowers tests the limits of my vision. #YourEyesMyVision #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRocks

July 20, 2022

At last count, I am working with at least 11 shades of yellow. After I create flowers that I approve of, I seal them to make them extra bold and shiny. #YourEyesMyVision #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRocks

July 18, 2022

Dbelle El and I painted sunflower rocks for nearly 4 hours yesterday! Practice really does make perfect. I am getting better at using different shades to create dimension and I am learning to adjust the pressure I put on my paintbrushes to create thicker or thinner lines as needed. #YourEyesMyVision #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRocks

July 14, 2022

Even super critical me sees improvement here. #YourEyesMyVision #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRocks

July 13, 2022

Priming and painting rocks solid colors are so easy! Just use a big paintbrush and broad strokes. Painting flowers, on the other hand, requires fine motor skills and sinner bristles. There in lies my challenge. To my eyes, such as they are, my flowers are starting to look less blob-like today. I’m trying to apply techniques my mentor taught me last night: using the side of a fan shaped paintbrush to create the curve and points of petals, then using a thin paintbrush to add highlights that define each petal. Creating the centers of each flower involves a dotting tool and at least two different colors. #YourEyesMyVision #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRocks

July 12, 2022

Thank you VocalEye for featuring the Your EyesMyVision project on your #AlmostLive program. Such an opportunity would not have come to my attention otherwise. Today I began working with my mentor. I can’t wait until our next session on Sunday! #YourEyesMyVision #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRocks

July 12, 2022

First session working with my rock painting mentor this evening! #YourEyesMyVision, here we go! #KristyKassieRocks

July 8, 2022

One day very soon, assuming the weather cooperates, my rock painting mentor and I will start working on my exhibit for #YourEyesMyVision. Hopefully, she’ll teach me how to paint pretty flowers using acrylic paints so I can create a sunflower series of rocks in support of Ukraine. I think this is the perfect space for us to work. #SunflowersForUkraine #KristyKassieRocks

April 17, 2022

I’ve been accepted as a participant in a project called Your Eyes, My Vision. Under the guidance of a cited facilitator, and with funding for supplies, I have the opportunity to create an art project of my choosing. If my mentor can teach me the technique of painting flowers, my vision is to create a rock garden featuring sunflowers in support of Ukraine. #YourEyesMyVision #SunflowersForUkraine #kkrocks