Synesthesia, Technology + the Art of Transcendence with Blind Painter John Bramblitt

Blind painter John Bramblitt talks about his unbelievable art, how he produces it, and the influence of music on his creative expression. Explore the vibrations that he interprets through the assistance of a computer program, and the hybrid of technology that he has incorporated into his art. The unsighted visualization that Bramblitt makes real, and the now-limitless creativity that is made accessible for all people regardless of physical ability is shared on Antidote, hosted by Michael Parker.

Guest Bio

John Bramblitt is an artist living in Denton Texas, his art has been sold in over thirty countries and he has appeared internationally in print, TV and radio. He has appeared on CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, ABC, NBC, FOX, Discovery Channel and BBC Radio and TV to name a few outlets, and he’s been featured in The New York Times and Psychology Today as well as designed the artwork for numerous magazine covers and even the artwork for major film productions. He’s the subject of the award winning documentary shorts “Line of Sight’ and “Bramblitt.” His work has received much recognition including the ‘Most Inspirational Video of 2008′ from YouTube and three Presidential Service Awards for his innovative art workshops. And John is blind.

Mr. Bramblitt is also the author of the award winning book, Shouting in the Dark , and is the current selectee for the Texas Governor’s Disability Employment Awareness poster. He currently works as a consultant for museums in developing programs that are designed to include everyone – no matter their ability or disability. Shouting in the Dark is the story of Bramblitt’s life, his journey navigating through this new territory of blindness, and how he ultimately rekindles his joy, passion, and relationships through art.

Prior to his blindness, John studied at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, where he graduated with honors. When Bramblitt lost the last of his vision in 2001 due to complications with epilepsy and Lyme’s disease, his hopes of becoming a creative writing teacher were shattered and he sunk into a deep depression. He felt disconnected from family and friends, alienated and alone. But then something amazing happened- he discovered painting. He learned to distinguish between different colored paints by feeling their textures with his fingers. He taught himself how to paint using raised lines to help him find his way around the canvas, and through something called haptic visualization, which enables him to “see” his subjects through touch. He now paints amazingly lifelike portraits of people he’s never seen-including his wife and son.