Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Brant-Malm.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My vision loss from retinitis pigmentosa has driven me in a new direction as a designer and storyteller. I create sensory storytelling programs with handcrafted objects about my journey of going blind. My artwork is tactile, so I can share it with others who have vision loss. I present the pieces to small groups, with a goal of bringing awareness to blindness. This becomes a time of self-reflection and understanding. The opportunity of interacting with art can be empowering and insightful to their family, friends, caregivers, teachers, peers, employers, and co-workers.
At first, I volunteered as a guest speaker for vision loss support groups. In time, I worked to develop this as a business with the help of Springboard for the Arts, SCORE, and State Services for the Blind – DEED. I have now launched Tactile Artworks, LLC. I offer eight topic choices on the subjects of loss, diagnosis, fear, isolation, adapting hope, healing, and helping.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The answer is twofold:
Designing and building the art came easy for me. I had a 40+ year career as a costume designer for the stage. Changing to tactile art was a breeze. I still design everything inside my head with full imagery. Fortunately, my remaining vision of 10 degrees is all in the central field. I can see what I am doing! Storytelling is also easy for me, because I am telling my own story. No script necessary, I speak from my heart.
The business planning was an enormous struggle for me. Fortunately, I learned how to find experts who helped me. My eye disease is progressive, I’ve learned, that is a form of ambiguous loss, causing anxiety and depression. These bouts got me really stuck many times.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Before vision loss, I had a 40+ year career in costume design for the stage. I specialized in animals made with pods. Think mascots. I loved the challenge of changing the silhouette of the human body to an animal. I worked on world wide traveling shows for kids such as: Sesame Street, Nickelodeon, Curious George, My Little Pony, Hello Kitty, Paw Patrol, etc. That all ended with my vision loss. Actually, I am more than capable of doing that work, because I have good central vision. But, my employer was concerned that my tunnel vision could result in tripping and workplace injuries. So that was the end of my job.
I am most proud of designing Little Green Booties for Peanuts on Parade, a tribute to Charles Schulz. I designed it in honor of a book and movie by Schulz about childhood cancer. It is displayed at Children’s MN in St.Paul. The book “Why, Charlie Brown, Why?” had gone out of print. I independently led a campaign for the successful republication of the book.
Now I am part of the pioneering movement to introduce tactile art to the world. Please touch, feel, caress, and handle.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I want to make a difference in the world. I believe that happens by helping one person at a time. That is why Tactile Artworks experiences are done for small groups.. The tables are setup in a U-shape, C-shape, V-shape, etc. The participants sit on the outer edge and I sit in the crook on a rolling chair. The art is slid along the tables.. I am in arm’s reach of each participant, providing personalized guidance and attention.
Pricing:
- Groups up to 12, $300 per workshop
- Groups of 13-24, $600 per workshop
Contact Info:
- Website: https://TactileArtworks.com
