… from the perspective of Art Coaches Lanai Ashé & Karen Venditti Liddie
Approximately a year before I started coaching Johannes J. Christian to paint, my sister Debra Willis and I met with Doc Christian at his former M.O.B.I.L.E. office on High Street in Columbus Ohio.
Debra and I wanted to bring arts programming to the nonprofit to benefit its members who had an interest in the arts. Meanwhile we got on the topic of Doc being able to produce and sell art and what a novel idea it would be. We joked about it but I thought it could be a reality. At least it was something that could be developed.
A year later Doc and I set up a date to try it out.
Unbeknownst to me this was the beginning of an odyssey of a lifetime. This venture was to be life altering for Doc. I would be spending the next year on and off coaching him to produce and develop his ideas for subjects he wanted to paint. Neither of us had any idea how we would accomplish these goals. We started our first attempt in the basement offices of his new M.O.B.I.L.E. office site on Long Street in Columbus, Ohio. It was winter and it was cold. Doc had purchased his canvases and paints. We hung up our coats & hats, put on painting aprons, and a French beret for Doc, and dived in.We started on a medium 18 X 24 sized landscape canvas, our first color we mixed was blue mixed with white in a styrofoam cup. I tried to get Doc to mix with a brush like I would do but he preferred and still does to this day, to do his mixing with a knife. We mixed colors in the cups for a while, then switched to paper plates.
We started the first canvas with painting a sky. I directed him to load his brush and paint in long broad strokes from one end of the canvas to the other. I was surprised when he stated that he would like some streaks of chiffon yellow in his sky. I knew then that this man had a sophisticated eye for color variation. He never let’s me get away with just telling him a color is good. I must give him an exact description such as slate blue or teal green, etc. He takes instruction fairly well, but sometimes gets carried away with continuing to mix paint when I tell him a color is well blended.
We argue sometimes about whether he goes left when I’ve told him to go right. We joke about him being in diva mode when he gets bossy or fussy about painting. If we’ve painted for a long time he may get cranky and need a break. Rarely do we finish a painting in one setting. Most times we will paint the background first, then do blocking, then come back later and add details. I am patient with him because I understand that I am his eyes and he is my hands.
He was elated after finishing his first painting as he received many accolades for his work. He tells me it’s therapy for him and an outlet that keeps him feeling calm and gives him a sense of accomplishment. So far Doc has completed 17 works of art. Some of his subject matter has been beach scenes or something to do with water and sand. He paints water and skies beautifully.
Doc’s family is from the Caribbean island of Saba, and so he reaches back to memories of the sites from the days before he lost his vision. He is also a spiritual person and draws upon spiritual subject matter.
Doc’s painting style is whimsical and colorful. Most of the time I allow him free expression without taking too much control of his strokes.
Dr. Christian retired from being director at M.O.B.I.L.E. and moved to the islands in 2023 to build his dream home, of which he has painted a three panel illustration of his container home set on a plateau amongst the lush forestry of a hillside. We researched all the trees and plants of the island to be accurately painted. He’s made his presence known among the arts community in Saba and is currently enjoying notoriety as an artist there.
Debra and I are planning a visit there soon. All in all its’ been a pleasure working with Doc and seeing how he develops with each new piece of art he produces. I believe he’s well on his way to becoming a world renown and important figure in the art world.
~ Lanai Ashé
Owner, Art Affects
I have been teaching painting in Montreal and Anguilla for close to 30 years.
I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Dr.Johannes.J.Christian in Anguilla and hearing his challenging story. In that moment, we just knew we were called to collaborate and create a painting together with my guidance.
This was a first time experience for me, guiding a blind man through his painting. We used textured paste, tapes, rulers, stencils and acrylic paint to create this incredible piece of Anguilla View Of St Martin.
Our short but powerful time spent together has changed me in so many positive ways in that, anyone can paint when they step out of their fear and judgement of the outcome, and simply embrace the beautiful process of creation.
I have so much gratitude for this man and his passion for the love of life and forgiveness that he shares with so many.
~ Karen Venditti a.k.a NERAK artist.