How I Turned Color Blindness Into My Biggest Strength

1 in 12 boys (8%) and 1 in 200 girls (0.5%) worldwide are colorblind, or color deficient as it is also sometimes called. Many people aren’t even aware they are colorblind, living completely normal lives—just with funky clothing pairing or perhaps a strong preference for black and white. In Sweden, where I was born, screening for color blindness was part of the yearly health checkups for school-age children. I remember vividly the little plaques with tiny dots that the school nurse held up. But I couldn’t for the life of me answer when she asked what I saw. "Dots?" Apparently, I suffered from something called Deuteranopia . And with that diagnosis, I believed my dreams of becoming anything fun, like an artist, were squashed. At least, that’s what I thought.

Mid-tones of reds and greens always play tricks on me, blending into an indistinct beige that made me terrible at picking chanterelles or Sweden’s beloved lingonberries. For years, I was afraid of color, hiding my condition—especially since working with color was such an integral part of my profession in the creative industry. Yet, looking back now, I can see how my bold color choices and an affinity for 100% CMYK were early signs of the path I would eventually embrace. Pigments, mixing, and palettes once felt like my kryptonite. But in time, I realized they were my superpower. By not discerning subtle shifts in hue, I turned it up so I could actually see, leaning on contrast - not just in color but in material, shine, boldness. This approach didn’t just reshape my relationship with all things creative as well as my wardrobe—it transformed it, enabling me to tell stories that resonate far beyond the safety of traditional color theory.

Color blindness affects millions globally, creating unique challenges and opportunities. For those like me with deuteranopia, the world presents itself through a lens where reds and greens often blend into muted browns, and the subtleties of mid-spectrum hues are elusive. Other forms of color blindness include tritanopia, which alters blue-yellow perception and the super rare monochromacy, where the world is perceived in shades of gray. There are subsets of these, and each type shapes how individuals interact with and interpret color, offering a distinct perspective on the world—especially in the realm of art.

For me, understanding the science behind my condition has been transformative. It gave me a framework to appreciate my unique way of seeing and pushed me to explore contrasts, textures, and light in ways that resonate beyond color. Artists with color blindness are often driven to innovate, crafting their own visual languages and redefining the meaning of beauty. This perspective turns limitations into strengths, emphasizing the creative potential found in what others might see as constraints. By exploring these distinctions, we celebrate diverse interpretations of the world and uncover new dimensions of artistic expression.

As an artist and a human navigating the world with color blindness, the challenges have been both profound and transformative. One of the greatest struggles is the fear of being "found out." It’s not just about artists; many in creative fields are "closet" colorblind and live with the constant worry of their condition being discovered, facing judgment and misunderstanding. This fear often leads to second-guessing every decision—not just in color choices but in broader expressions of authenticity and creativity. I know this feeling intimately, because I’ve lived it. That creeping doubt—wondering if what feels right to me resonates with others—was once a constant shadow.

But rather than letting it hold me back, I dove headfirst into my unique perception and embraced it wholeheartedly. For me, creating art had to transcend subtlety; I needed to turn everything up to eleven to stir an emotional response in myself. Instead of chasing what I couldn’t see, I leaned into what I could—and amplified it. Color went from nightmares, to something I couldn't stop thinking about, researching, experimenting with, and when combined with strong, dynamic forms, digital tools and generative AI, traditional techniques, and top-of-the-line giclée printing, it all snapped into place. I started layering tactile textures over themes and subjects often depicted in muted tones, breaking conventional moulds. I realized that the very thing that had held me back for so many years, was actually the only way forward.

By embracing these boundaries and pushing past them, I’ve discovered something uniquely my own—a voice rooted in boldness, fearless experimentation, and unapologetic authenticity. It’s a journey that has redefined not just how I create but how I see the world and my place within it, a beautiful place I describe as  "melancholy dipped in sunshine."

Another challenge lies in the perception of my work by others. Many may not fully understand the limitations I face as a colorblind artist, leading to misconceptions about abilities and intentions. There’s a persistent ignorance and a set of assumptions that likely stem from the term itself, "colorblind," suggesting someone that is blind to color or perceive the world in black and white. While there are indeed some who experience the world in monochrome, the reality is far more nuanced.

Everyone has a unique sense of color. For me, being diagnosed colorblind doesn’t mean I can't see color; it means that I deviate a lot from the norm in areas of the visible spectrum. I also don’t see myself as color deficient—there’s very little deficient about my use of color, only different so perhaps the term "alternative perception of color" is perhaps a more fitting description. Either way, color blindness is often overlooked or misunderstood, but rather than being isolating, it eventually sparked curiosity and shaped my unique artistic expression. Not unlike other artists with diagnosed or undiagnosed color blindness—such as Claude Monet, JMW Turner and Degas—it has naturally and instinctively driven me to explore unconventional paths and express myself in unique ways I can actually see, and are distinctly my own. As I've learned to accept it as a gift, it’s been a source of incredible strength, reshaping how I connect with my work and the world around me.

Moreover, the technical aspects of creating art can present additional obstacles. When mixing colors or selecting materials, I rely on extensive research and a hard-earned understanding of  modern color theory . I’ve delved into the chemistry and physics of pigments, using technical tools like the  Nix Mini color sensor  and online mixing resources such as  Golden Acrylics' online mixer . These tools help provide a baseline, but in the end, there are only two sources I truly trust: my own eyes and whether my wife likes it or not. This combination of science, intuition, and trusted feedback has become an integral part of my process, while navigating any challenges of color blindness. However, without this "obstacle" maybe I wouldn't have pushed myself to explore alternative methods, develop new techniques, and embrace the versatility of any medium. In many ways, if you're driven by curiosity overcoming whatever is in your way becomes the artistic journey itself, leading to a deeper connection with the work and a richer understanding of what it means to create.

As you can understand, embracing my color blindness has been a transformative experience, redefining my identity and given me a unique approach to art. My perception of the world forces me outside the traditional parameters of color theory, allowing me to focus on the emotional qualities of my work rather than conforming to established norms. In many ways, my work serves as a testament to the beauty found in the interplay of light and dark, inviting viewers to engage with the emotional depth of each piece.

This approach has not only given me a sense of empowerment but has also allowed me to connect with others on a profound level. I think many colorblind artists possess a unique ability to interpret and convey emotions through their work. I hope this understanding can create a supportive environment where we can celebrate our differences and inspire one another. By recognizing the value of our distinct perspectives, we can challenge the conventional definitions of beauty, paving the way for a richer, more diverse artistic landscape.

When I first picked up a brush during an evening class in oil portraiture, it was absolute chaos—on the palette and on the canvas. To my surprise, though, my fellow students seemed intrigued by what they described as an odd, expressive take on our carefully curated palette. The teacher, too, was wonderfully supportive, even though this was a class in realism oil portraiture, and I clearly wasn’t adhering to the brief. That moment stayed with me. It was the very spark that led me to embrace my color blindness not as a limitation but as a unique perspective. Not sure the model approved though...

Developing my artistic style has been a continuous journey ever since, never straight but always shaped by this perspective. My inability to see certain parts of the spectrum clearly forced me to lean into what I could see—and to amplify it. Experimentation became the cornerstone of this development. For instance, I explore the interplay between traditional painting techniques and digital tools. Using fluorescent and interference colors, acrylic grounds, gel, and pouring mediums for texture—paired with giclée printing for precision and chromatic effect—I’ve discovered how layering creates a dialogue within the work. It’s where digital perfection and generative artifacts meet human error and raw emotion.

By focusing on the tactile and physical properties of pigments, mediums, and supports like fine art paper, I’ve developed a cyclical process of creating, digitally editing, and printing that pushes me further into uncovering my vision. Contrasting emotional narratives and themes with non-traditional uses of color allows me to communicate the depth of shared human experiences in a way that’s both deeply personal and universally resonant. This approach has shaped not just my art but also my understanding of what it means to connect with the world through creativity.

The vibrant colors in my work don’t mask but rather enhance emotional themes like anxiety and sadness. This juxtaposition, which I call 'melancholy dipped in sunshine,' creates a compelling contrast. The brightness of the colors accentuates the depth of these human experiences, highlighting the complexities and intensities of feelings like alienation and sorrow, thereby offering a more profound and nuanced understanding of these emotional states. By embracing these contrasts and stripping away unnecessary complexities, I focus on emotions and scenes, revealing their raw essence and connecting on a deeply human level. This approach has allowed my work to evolve continuously, reflecting my growth not just as an artists, but as a human. Ultimately, I believe that true beauty lies in the ability to evoke emotion through art.

Navigating the art world as a colorblind artist has shaped my creative identity in unexpected ways. Many people assume that being colorblind might limit an artist’s ability to work with color, but for me, it has been a strength—a distinctive trait that people often latch onto when they speak about my work. I don’t set out to challenge stereotypes or expectations; my focus is on creating art that resonates emotionally and authentically. The fact that I’m colorblind is just part of who I am, and it has naturally driven me to approach color in ways that feel true to my vision. Over time, I’ve come to see this as an integral part of my story, not a limitation but a defining strength.

I haven’t sought to create a space for dialogue within the broader community, inviting others to reflect on their biases and assumptions about artistic expression, but it seems to happen organically. Many people have experiences with color blindness themselves or with a loved one who is colorblind, and this often comes through in the wonderful emails from collectors or in the DM's and in the comments section on my Instagram. Color blindness is such a mystery to those that do not have it, so when they find art that in some way connects to how their special someone sees or experiences the world, it resonates deeply. It’s a connection I didn’t plan for, but it has become one of the most meaningful parts of sharing my work.

As I reflect on my journey as a colorblind artist, I am reminded of the power of embracing uniqueness and celebrating diversity within the art world. My experiences have taught me that perceived limitations can be transformed into invaluable strengths, encouraging innovative approaches to creativity and expression. Through my work, I strive to challenge traditional notions of beauty and redefine what it means to communicate emotion through art. This journey has been an affirmation that creativity is not confined to a specific set of rules; instead, it thrives in the richness of individual perspectives.

The artistic landscape is continually evolving, and the inclusion of diverse voices is essential for fostering a vibrant and dynamic community. By embracing the unique experiences of all artists, we can cultivate a more inclusive environment that celebrates the myriad ways in which we interpret the world. This celebration of diversity not only enriches the art community but also offers viewers a deeper understanding of the emotional narratives behind each piece, beyond limitations. By embracing our individual experiences and encouraging others to do the same, we can create a more inclusive and inspiring art world. As we celebrate the spectrum of creativity, let us remember that true beauty lies in the ability to connect through emotion. Together, we can transform challenges into strengths, inspiring future generations to embrace their uniqueness and contribute to the evolution of artistic expression.