{"id":6950,"date":"2023-01-04T04:10:50","date_gmt":"2023-01-04T04:10:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/?p=6950"},"modified":"2023-05-19T13:14:08","modified_gmt":"2023-05-19T13:14:08","slug":"art-through-the-eyes-of-a-visually-impaired-artist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/stories\/art-through-the-eyes-of-a-visually-impaired-artist\/","title":{"rendered":"Art through the eyes of a visually impaired artist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Art is for everyone and it cuts through everything. It is an explosion of one\u2019s feelings, opinions, worldviews, desires, and imagination that is beyond every human being. So, one doesn\u2019t have to be born a particular way or have to be a certain way to become an artist. In one way art is an extension of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If art is for everyone, what about disabled people? What about the ones who are visually challenged? Yes, they can. Just that in most cases they are completely blind, they have a very narrow range of sight or sight only very close up, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, can you believe that someone who is visually impaired can paint with the sense of touch? Yes, it\u2019s true.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/John-Bramblitt-sailboat.jpg\" alt=\"Sail boat art by John Bramblitt\" class=\"wp-image-6953\" width=\"552\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/John-Bramblitt-sailboat.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/John-Bramblitt-sailboat-300x240.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 552px) 100vw, 552px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sail boat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>John Bramblitt is truly one of a kind human being. It\u2019s not every day we see someone as talented as him who makes us see a brighter, colorful world through his vivid imagination and visual magic. Maybe magic does exist just in a different form!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A rather unusual journey<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/httpswww.perkins.orgresourceself-expression-in-art-and-at-work-a-community-conversation-with-blind-painter-john-bramblitt-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"John Bramblitt\" class=\"wp-image-6951\" width=\"555\" height=\"371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/httpswww.perkins.orgresourceself-expression-in-art-and-at-work-a-community-conversation-with-blind-painter-john-bramblitt-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/httpswww.perkins.orgresourceself-expression-in-art-and-at-work-a-community-conversation-with-blind-painter-john-bramblitt-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/httpswww.perkins.orgresourceself-expression-in-art-and-at-work-a-community-conversation-with-blind-painter-john-bramblitt-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/httpswww.perkins.orgresourceself-expression-in-art-and-at-work-a-community-conversation-with-blind-painter-john-bramblitt-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/httpswww.perkins.orgresourceself-expression-in-art-and-at-work-a-community-conversation-with-blind-painter-john-bramblitt-2048x1367.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 555px) 100vw, 555px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"http:\/\/httpswww.perkins.orgresourceself-expression-in-art-and-at-work-a-community-conversation-with-blind-painter-john-bramblitt\">John Bramblitt<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>John Bramblitt has been drawing since he was a kid and was a writer. But not until he lost his sight that he actually picked up the paints to work his magic. His loss of sight was due to epilepsy medicine. The ironic thing is everyone wants to create art inspired by what we see around us. But in his case, he started seeing things after he actually stopped seeing things. Confusing right? The point is, it\u2019s not our eyes where are visions are created, it\u2019s the brain. Just because you lost your sight doesn\u2019t mean your brain can\u2019t make the images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, similar to dreaming he could also see a real-reel world without actually seeing. Soon he found himself drawn toward those visuals and wanted to put them down on a canvas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The process of creating the magic<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Family-1024x816.jpg\" alt=\"Family art by John Bramblitt\" class=\"wp-image-6952\" width=\"550\" height=\"438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Family-1024x816.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Family-300x239.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Family-768x612.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Family.jpg 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Family<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>He uses touch to sense the colors. He can identify color with its viscosity and weight of certain paints(oil to be specific) and how they transform as they are mixed together or with water. But this might not work well in the case of watercolors. So, instead, he uses braille code to create what he sees in his heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fact that he cannot see doesn\u2019t restrict his imagination or creativity. Astonishing it rather helps him bring the art to life in an almost surreal realistic way. Because he sees with the soul and feels with his hands and most importantly has a deep emotional connection with his images. Simply put, he is a master sculptor of canvas who turns everything he touches(paint) into gold (or rather mystical).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contribution to the world of art<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/httpsdmafamilyblog.wordpress.com20101004artsy-conversations-john-bramblitt.jpg\" alt=\"John Bramblitt's free Workshop\" class=\"wp-image-6954\" width=\"552\" height=\"368\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/httpsdmafamilyblog.wordpress.com20101004artsy-conversations-john-bramblitt.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/httpsdmafamilyblog.wordpress.com20101004artsy-conversations-john-bramblitt-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/httpsdmafamilyblog.wordpress.com20101004artsy-conversations-john-bramblitt-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 552px) 100vw, 552px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"http:\/\/httpsdmafamilyblog.wordpress.com20101004artsy-conversations-john-bramblitt\">John Bramblitt&#8217;s free Workshop<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>He has worked with internationally acclaimed museums like the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art to run free workshops that teach people no matter their ability or disability to see the world as he does and paint using their senses and imagination. He also works as a museum consultant in developing programs designed to be more <a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/demptyspace\/painting-blind-with-visually-impaired-visual-artist-john-bramblitt-43bf07ec2e3d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">inclusive<\/a>. Not only that he visits schools, museums, universities, and children\u2019s hospitals to run free workshops and exhibitions too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most times we underestimate people with disabilities. But they are the most incredible superhuman and their works just transport us and makes us feel things that we felt never before. <em>Magic <\/em>in its true sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No where in this world can we find some like John Bramblitt who captures what a person \u201cfeels\u201d. Thus his works are not just to <em>see <\/em>but to <em>feel<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Art beyond boundaries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>More than magic, art is a healthy way to express oneself be it depression, anger, anxiety and other mental health issues. And a best medium of communication when we are in pain and want to reach out.  Even when John lost his sight, he too was initially depressed and angry. So, he used his paintings as a way to reach out to the world. Let&#8217;s break out of the stereotypical black and white image of a blind person, start with a fresh canvas and increase awareness by building conversations and draw a brighter picture that symbolizes diversity.  <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/fullsizeoutput_28b7-1536x1024-1-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\" Elin Williams\" class=\"wp-image-6956\" width=\"566\" height=\"377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/fullsizeoutput_28b7-1536x1024-1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/fullsizeoutput_28b7-1536x1024-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/fullsizeoutput_28b7-1536x1024-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/fullsizeoutput_28b7-1536x1024-1.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Elin Williams<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The next time you come across a visually impaired person, let&#8217;s not throw them a \u201c<em>You don\u2019t look blind<\/em>\u201d, \u201c<em>You don\u2019t look disabled<\/em>\u201d kind of statements. Because stating that they don&#8217;t look certain way might make them feel anxious, conflicted, not to mention that is plain insensitive. Here is a blog <a href=\"https:\/\/myblurredworld.com\/2019\/10\/20\/you-dont-look-blind-disabled-addressing-the-stigma\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">myblurredworld.com<\/a> by Elin Williams, who is a vision impaired person herself, addresses the stigma and prejudices faced by a blind person in a heartfelt note that will open your eyes to finally realize who has been truly blind until now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To know more about John Bramblitt&#8217;s amazing works, follow him on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bramblitt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram <\/a>or visit his <a href=\"https:\/\/bramblitt.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If you were inspired reading this CauseAChatter story and have one to share too, reach out to us&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/introducing-causeachatter-stories\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>You can also join us at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/getting-more-awesome-daily-with-causeachatter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CauseAChatter<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/what-causeachatter-looks-like-in-2022\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;<\/a>and have meaningful conversations around the cause.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Art is for everyone and it cuts through everything. It is an explosion of one\u2019s feelings, opinions, worldviews, desires, and imagination that is beyond every human being. So, one doesn\u2019t have to be born a particular way or have to be a certain way to become an artist. In one way art is an extension","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":6957,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[139],"tags":[183,834,835,832,249,833,836],"class_list":["post-6950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories","tag-art","tag-blind-artist","tag-elin-williams","tag-john-bramblitt","tag-mental-health","tag-visually-challenged","tag-world-braille-day"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6950","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6950"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6950\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8836,"href":"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6950\/revisions\/8836"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6957"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6950"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6950"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theblogchatter.com\/BeStorified\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}