“It starts with an idea in my mind. That idea doesn’t necessarily have to be feasible. It starts with a thought.”

Senna’s creative process is unique compared to many modern artists. In a digital world full of copycats and AI, Senna has set himself apart. Every project, from writing to physical art pieces, begins as a spark in his mind that he then executes.

Moreover, he firmly believes that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What looks aesthetically pleasing to him might not appeal to another artist. This is a profound way of thinking, particularly in a creative industry where surface-level aesthetics often matter more than true originality, and where people constantly replicate what others are doing.

“For me, what makes something beautiful is a feeling,” Senna says.

How Does a Visually Impaired Artist Know When Art is Complete?

According to Senna, his art is never truly finished. He can look at a piece today and feel it requires changes tomorrow.

• Photography: He takes multiple shots to see which one feels best.
• Painting: A beautiful art piece today might need an additional color tomorrow.
• Writing: A well-written piece today might require editing tomorrow.

In the world of art, creation is endless.

“It’s never fully complete,” he explains. “I can go in and add more detail, or take detail away and add more background. It’s ongoing, always. It is entirely based on a feeling: how I am feeling, if I want to change it, or if I don’t want to change it.”

When it comes to photography, Senna doesn’t primarily rely on sighted people, which might surprise some given that he is visually impaired. While he relies on sighted assistance occasionally, it doesn’t happen all the time. Instead, he regularly zooms in and out to ensure a shot is captured properly.

Digital Art Tools: Drawing Desk App for iPad

Senna primarily relies on his iPad and Apple Pencil to create his artwork. When it comes to software, he has been using an app called Drawing Desk for nine years.

Drawing Desk is a popular digital art and sketching application available on iOS, Android, and VR platforms, boasting over 70 million users. It is widely used for digital drawing, offering step-by-step tutorials and traditional sketching tools. The core features of the platform center around interactive lessons, digital art tools, and accessibility.

Keeping the Human Element

Drawing Desk also features AI-powered tools such as “Sketch to Art” and “Text to Art” generators, which include automatic colorization and object removal features. These AI-powered tools can be highly beneficial, particularly for a visually impaired person. One thing Senna enjoys most about the app is that he can seamlessly zoom in and out, altering a piece exactly how he wants to.

However, Senna emphasized that he would never use AI for his own work.

“The thing about AI is that it takes the human touch away from things,” Senna notes. “However, I do not judge other people for using AI.”

In a world where artificial intelligence is scaling exponentially, it is refreshing to witness artists who fight to keep the human element alive in creativity. While AI has led to a decline in traditional human storytelling, Senna’s work stands as proof that raw, human creativity still thrives.