Artist Paints Incredible Portraits Without Fingers

Desmond Blair, 29, is missing all ten fingers but has mastered the art of oil painting.

His portfolio includes depictions of U.S President Barack Obama, Porsche builder Nakai-san and musician Andre 3000.

Desmond, from Dallas, Texas said: “You only become disabled when you stop yourself from pursuing your dreams.

“I am missing all ten fingers but I don’t look at it as a disability, I look at it as a difference.

“I started drawing when I was a kid because I was learning how to write. After drawing I started exploring other mediums and I started painting in middle school.

“I started out with acrylics and I did more digital work in college.”

Desmond took a break from painting but picked it up again when he started going on job interviews.

He said: “When I was going on job interviews I’d get these crazy looks because people would see my resume and I would walk in and wouldn’t have hands.

“They were wondering how I was going to use a computer.

“I started recording myself painting because if I was ever in that situation again I wanted to be able to show somebody if I can paint without fingers I’m pretty sure I can do the job.”

Desmond, a project manager, paints in his free time and every weekend.

He said: “If I had to describe the feeling it would be a relaxing feeling because I get to turn everything off and really just allow myself to focus on letting something develop.

“I dove into my artwork - at first I was doing it to solve a problem but then I fell in love with it.”

Desmond hopes to use his paintings to raise money for charities supporting other people with limb differences.

“Being disabled is something that’s internal I believe.

“It’s a mindset where you allow yourself to become defeated by your circumstances or obstacles you face but it’s more about finding opportunity instead of dwelling on the challenges.”