Legally blind painter embraces special gift

WASHINGTON - For most artists, the thought of losing their eyesight would be a crippling notion.

But local painter, Sharnita 'Shugg' Brice, uses it as her motivation.

Brice specializes in wearable art using bold, fresh colors in a brand she calls, '3rd Eye Art.' Her work features many recurring themes like the moon, flowers and a powerful third eye.

The third eye symbolizes perception beyond ordinary vision -- something she relies on heavily due to the fact that she is legally blind.

"I can't even explain my gift. I just say, that I know I have it -- I know that something is working through me and I appreciate it," she says about her special ability.

Her talent has grown as she has grown. When she started painting in 2013 the eyes in her pieces were all closed. Then she embraced who she truly was. Now the eyes she paints are wide open.

Brice says her vison is getting worse. She told us that by the time she is into her 40s, she could be completely blind.

But even then she says she won't be stopped.

"Even if my vision is completely gone I'll still paint -- that's what I am here for -- I would create somehow."