Earl Zapf is an artist and meditator based in rural New Zealand.
Until the gradual loss of his sight, he was an accomplished painter, professional chef and culinary tutor.
As his vision deteriorated, Earl was forced to rethink how he lived, created art, and understood himself.
Having practised mindfulness for more than 20 years, he found it offered a liberating way of dealing with loss.
Mindfulness provided a way of staying in the present, while discovering new forms of creativity and meaning.
Blindfulness provides helpful insights for others coping with blindness or other major challenges.
Born in Germany in 1963, Earl spent much of his life exploring different parts of the world.
Today he lives in rural Hawke’s Bay with his partner and their cat.
Here he continues to explore the relationship between creativity and mindfulness, while pursuing new interests including growing vegetables and writing.