A VISUALLY-IMPAIRED artist is displaying her artwork at Chirk Library throughout March.

Jacqueline Kearsley is a North Wales artist with a detached retina, and she likes to work on landscape paintings.

She wasn’t always sight-impaired, and up until five to six years ago she was working as a support worker with people with brain injuries.

Border Counties Advertizer: Jacqueline's art at Chirk Library Jacqueline's art at Chirk Library (Image: Jacqueline Kearsley)

Jacqueline explained: “The doctors are not sure what happened.

“Usually with detached retinas, there is an impact that triggers it, but in my case I haven’t been in any sort of accidents that could lead to this happening.”

“The medical professionals believe that my retinas must have been really thin and that it just happened.”

After her right eye’s retina detached, Jacqueline was still able to work and drive, but a year later her left eye’s retina also separated.

She had to go through a few surgeries, and now her sight is extremely blurry and she needs to use a cane to get around.

Jacqueline said: “After what happened it was hard with day-to-day life activities, but I was motivated to not let this define me.

“I picked up some brushes and painted what I could see, and what I could remember.

“But ever since my partner got me a tablet, it’s become a lot easier.”

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Jacqueline explained that the way the tablet is backlit helps her see a little better and she is also able to do nighttime art.

“Before it was quite hard because I couldn't see the colours’ names,” she said “And it was quite hard to tidy everything up after.”

Jacqueline now works pleinair - painting out and about - and her work is mostly digital.

She said it is easier for her to choose colours and tools, with a digital drawing programme as trying to paint traditionally with tubes of paint has proved very challenged.

“My latest pieces have been nighttime pleinair paintings observing the moon, its halo and clouds and shadows, she explained.

“Also studies of artificial light, street light and car lights.”

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Her inspiration for drawing landscapes also comes from her gardening work for the community club, which helps keep her occupied and inspired.

Other pieces of Jacqueline’s work can be found at Ty Pawb in Wrexham, in the horizon Gardens exhibition, and in the Drawing Board Gallery.