COMMENT ON FACEBOOK

Foundational quote for image generation:

“My wife and I have been married for eight years. The blindness journey with her has been nothing but amazing because she is my eyes and I help her out in the ways that I do. But we both get to see the world together and I’m grateful for it.”

This lively image depicts a visionary utopia set in the distant future. It captures a scene that integrates the splendor of nature with the potential marvels of advanced technology. The centerpiece of the illustration consists of two silhouettes, Ricky and his wife, standing side by side, exuding a contemplative air as they gaze upon the breathtaking landscape before them. The pair is immersed within lush flora, with towering plants and foliage enveloping their surroundings. A serene body of water occupies the midground, its surface mirroring the sky and the surrounding futuristic buildings. The sky is a tapestry of vibrant colors, encompassing gradients of orange, pink, and yellow, suggesting a time of dawn or dusk. Wisps of clouds are scattered across this celestial canvas, accentuating the luminosity of the piece. Hovering within the sky is a planet resembling Saturn in that it is enclosed within a ring.

The themes of this image are rooted in Ricky’s well founded, reliable relationship with his wife. He expresses that despite his visual impairment, she has been able to help him “see” through continuing to guide and support him unconditionally. One of the most significant features in the illustration is the directions in which Ricky and his wife are looking – Ricky is looking out into the distance while his wife is gazing at him. Her unwavering focus on Ricky, even in the face of a breathtaking view, reveals her undying dedication to supporting her husband through his journey. They see the world together, but Ricky is her world.

COMMENT ON FACEBOOK

Foundational quote for image generation:

“Goalball is probably the greatest sport, and not many people have heard of it. I found it about four years into the rehabilitation and the new journey of blindness and I was so grateful at the time to be exposed to friends in the community who were thriving and who were so passionate about something.”

This piece is a vibrant and dynamic illustration that captures the essence of athleticism and motion. The composition is similar in structure to a kaleidoscope; geometric shapes and bold colors are arranged to depict a moment of intense action in the sport of goalball. At the heart of the piece is an abstract representation of a goalball player in mid-action. The player’s form is composed of geometric segments, each section painted in a different color. The player’s limbs are extended, suggesting a dramatic leap or dive. The player’s contours are defined by sharp angles and contrasting tones which convey the fluidity and tension of the movement at hand. A ball is captured in the player’s outstretched hand, revealing a climactic moment in the game. The scene’s background is composed of angular forms, creating an environment that suggests boundaries similar to those of a soccer field. Lines and shapes in varying shades of blue, green, red, and yellow dominate the piece.

The thrilling and spirited essence of this image suggests the amount of liveliness that has been restored in Ricky’s life since he began playing goalball. After enduring a difficult period during rehabilitation, goalball served as a light in Ricky’s world of darkness, reminding him of the joys that life has to offer.

COMMENT ON FACEBOOK

Foundational quote for image generation:

“Hope is not lost. There is a difference between your eyesight and vision, right? You have to have a vision for hope in the future and what you can still do through those challenges that you may have now. You are losing something, but just because you lose something doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to be gained from it.”

The image portrays an ethereal, surreal scene of a floating island suspended in the sky amidst a sea of fluffy, white clouds. The island is an isolated, rocky plateau with steep cliffs descending into the mist below it. Upon the island is a serene oasis, featuring a peaceful, circular pond surrounded by sparsely scattered plants and rock formations that evoke a sense of tranquility and beauty. A solitary figure, presumably Ricky, stands near the edge of the pond, observing the terrain around him. Ricky’s presence adds a contemplative and human element to the scene. The sky above and around the floating island is a mesmerizing blend of soft blues and oranges, accompanied by a mass of fluffy, cumulonimbus clouds. Two faraway crescent moons are faintly visible, adding to the celestial, surrealistic tone of the piece.

The isolation of the island represents Ricky’s feelings of solidarity on his journey of navigating blindness. Though he has support from loved ones, he is the only one who can truly fight this battle for himself. A path of isolation, though, can be one of great beauty, and because Ricky is lonesome on this journey, he is the only one who can reap the benefits of this beautiful island for one. He has held onto a strong sense of vision despite his lack of sight, which has provided him with the most important thing of all: hope.