How a blind KC artist uses a sense of touch to create vibrant, sought-after paintings

Editor's Note: This interview is part of an ongoing Star series highlighting Kansas Citians from historically under-represented communities and their impact on our region. The series builds on The Star's efforts to improve coverage of local communities. Do you know someone we should interview? Share ideas with our reporter J.M. Banks.

Crystal Major was born with diabetes, but she doesn’t recall the disease causing her many issues growing up. That is until 2009 when her vision began to decline. In 2014 she lost her sight completely. Major never anticipated that her blindness would guide her to a life in the visual arts, let alone to her becoming a professional painter whose work is sought after..

Major does not let her lack of vision define her as an artist. She uses a technique of painting with acrylic paint that she thickens and textures with assorted materials so she can discern colors with her fingertips. Her color identifying technique allows her to put what is in her head on the canvas.

Major has only been painting a little more than a year. Still her work debuted at Kansas City’s popular Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, as part of an exhibit “We Are Enough,” curated by nationally-known artist Harold Smith

Recently, Major sat down with The Kansas City Star’s culture and identity reporter, J.M. Banks, to talk about the experience of losing her sight, finding art as an outlet for self-expression and the importance of never letting tragedy stop you from greatness.

Can you begin by telling me about your early life and upbringing?

I was born in Kansas City, Kansas and also born a diabetic. I was athletic throughout my school years playing volleyball, basketball and track. I had to get my insulin 4 times a day. I didn’t have much trouble with my diabetes because I was active and that is one of the reasons they recommend diabetics to exercise regularly, because it helps regulate your insulin. I graduated from high school in 2001 and went to community college in KCK and took some paralegal courses and then started working. It was in 2009 my eye sight started to gradually decline and by 2014 I was completely blind.

Is it common for babies to be born diabetic?

No. When I was around two weeks old my mother brought me in because I was not gaining any weight and the doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Diabetes does not run in my family and I am the only one. But once I got older it didn’t really play a big part in my life, like I wasn’t fainting or getting sick.

When did your health start to decline?

I was 28 in 2009 and I was at work and my head started to hurt all of a sudden. It was worse than a migraine, it was like a hammer in my head being pounded. I had to go home because it was the worst pain I had ever felt. I went to the hospital and that is when they told me I was losing the sight in my left eye. I felt like I was in a dream and kept telling myself this isn’t happening to me. After that the sight in my right started to fade. There were so many doctors appointments and they tried to save my sight with surgery but before the procedure my blood sugar shot up and they couldn’t put me under and by the time it had went back down it was too late. I remember I woke up one day and didn’t have any sight at all. That is when it hit me; I’m blind and have lost my sight. I remember I just starting screaming because I thought I still might be sleep and haven’t woken up.

What was your state of mind like after completely losing your sight?

It took about six to eight months to actually accept and take it all in that I won’t see again. It was really hard and then I remember laughing one day because I jokingly thought about not wearing stilettos anymore. I was just like who thinks of that with everything else going on. I started to overcome that feeling and get out. I had heard a great deal of stories, similar stories to mine, of people not leaving the house. People will stop their lives because of the change and I understand. It is really hard but you have to overcome it.

What made you want to start painting?

I started painting in August last year, just trying it out for the first time. I used to draw, like animation characters. My boyfriend had been talking to me about acrylic paint and we went to the store to buy some stuff. I was just experimenting and playing around with it at first but then people started to tell me that it was good, which surprised me and I kept going. It has led me to new opportunities that I am really excited for.

Can you tell me about your painting process?

When I first started painting, I went to the crafts store and explained what I wanted to do. I started testing out paints and brushes. I use acrylic because it is thick and it can be felt on the canvas. I realized I could use my touch to feel different types of textures so I started to do things like add sand into a certain paint or some other material into another paint. So, there are other things they can sell that will change the consistency and that is how I can tell what’s going on. I still remember the colors from when I had sight so I try to envision in my mind what I want it to look like and use my sense of feel to try to put it on the canvas.

What was it like to have your work featured at one of the cities most celebrated art galleries?

I was speechless. I didn’t have any words and usually when I am excited I can shout. But inside I was so excited and nervous. I wanted to hug everybody and kiss everybody in the room.

What are the challenges that you face in your career?

I feel like the challenges I face are the same as any other artists. Asking myself if people will like what I paint. People don’t have to like it but I want people to get and understand it. I have a story behind my art and everything has meaning.

How do you feel your work impacts the community around you?

I feel like my art carries a message of whatever happens in our lives we have to beat it and stand together. We have to stay strong. So I make paintings that reflect the lives and struggles of those people who have gone through negative things and who are going through them now. I am turning my negative into a positive.

What is the most fulfilling part of your work?

Being able to share my personal experience and tell my story. Just asking myself what else is out there and what would help me to clear my head. Me painting was about not letting blindness stop me or slow me down. I get to let other people know whatever it is that you are going through you can’t stop.

Do you have a personal motto or philosophy that guides you?

That is hard to explain. Sometimes you don’t have to go looking for something. Sometimes it will just hit you. When that moment comes, you have to search for what it means.

What are your goals for the future?

I have been talking with Harold (Smith) about a possible solo show. I never dreamed I would be doing a show featuring my own work, but I am excited at the possibility.

What advice would you give to someone who is looking to follow the same career path as yourself?

Just keep going and don’t stop. Find support where you can. Get out and let people hear your story because you never know who it will reach.

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