Vision of the Artist's Soul (VAS) Art Workshop - Multi-Sensory Tactile Painting Workshop with Guest Artist John Bramblitt

This week, we were excited to have world renowned artist John Bramblitt as part of the “Vision of the Artist’s Soul (VAS)” project for a multi-modal workshop where participants explored using their senses to create and think about art in different ways. We discussed things such as color with taste, imagery with smell, and eventually painting without sight. It provided students a great opportunity to let loose and think about the process versus the end result of art.

“Vision of the Artist’s Soul (VAS)” is a holistic arts curriculum for blind/low vision individuals of all ages, and includes a series of 50 art workshops, open-studio opportunities, and conversations with blind artists and artists, educators who work with the visually impaired. 

We had 27 students participate in this workshop! After getting to know one another, John walked us through his journey and how art reshaped his life after he lost his sight in 2001. He discussed what inspires him as an artist, what sparked his interest, and how he used unique techniques and perseverance to establish a successful artistic career.  He also taught students how he uses  raised lines to help him find his way around the canvas, and paint. John also talked about haptic visualization, which enables him to "see" his subjects through touch.

The materials for the workshop were mailed to all the participants prior to the workshop and included materials for all senses:
Smell: small snack bag with a single cotton ball and couple drops of an essential oil
Taste: Jelly Beans
Sound: Sound was played during the workshop
Touch: Drawing and Painting

The students received a small canvas panel with raised line drawing of a flower and three bottles of paint each with a different color (Yellow with little poly pellets mixed in, Red with sand mixed in and normal blue paint).

With these materials, John explained how to visualize artistic concepts in a multisensory way. For example, we experimented with imagining a color, texture, and image with various smells, tastes, and songs. We then discussed how art can be used as an emotional outlet and can be applicable to many vital life skills, such as orientation and mobility instruction. Under John’s direction, students learned to distinguish between the textures of different paints by feeling their textures with their fingers. The pre-drawn raised lines on the canvas helped the students to find their way around the canvas, but gave students the creative liberty to create their own art.

Thank you so much to John for such a memorable workshop! Here are a few pictures of the material kit, John’s work and student’s paintings:

Image of Art Workshop Supplies

Three textured paints in yellow, blue, and red are displayed with a paintbrush and paper plate on the left. Below is a scented cotton ball in a bag, jelly beans, and wipes. On the right is a raised line drawing of a simple flower on a canvas.

Photo of John Bramblitt

This photo depicts the guest artist, John Bramblitt, in the act of painting with high contrast lighting. The background is a vibrant image of racecars that he painted.

Two of John's Paintings

On the left is a painting of a couple walking through a vibrant, multicolored pathway. They are surrounded by bright streetlights and colorful trees creating an arch above them. On the right is a detailed, realistic portrait of a giraffe’s face using a juxtaposition of warm and cool tones.

Portrait of Two Furry Animals

Here, John has painted two furry animals against a calming background of yellow and green hues. The animal on the left is looking towards the side with bright red eyes. The animal on the right is smaller and gazes directly at the viewer with orange pupils..

Flower Painting #1

This painting uses splashes of red, yellow, blue, and green emanating from the flower to create an organic, blossoming effect.

Flower Painting #2

This painting uses abstract, expressive strokes of red to cover the canvas. This loose brushwork is complimented by hints of blue and yellow in the center.

Flower Painting #3

This painting has covered the flower in a bright shade of red using jagged brushstrokes. From the center, splashes of green, blue, purple, yellow, and orange emerge from the flower in speckled shapes.

Artist Bio: John Bramblitt
After losing his sight in 2001, John decided to pick up a paintbrush. He never expected anyone to see any of his paintings; he just knew he needed to reconnect with the visual world he had lost. Since then his work has been featured in the New York Times, Discovery Channel, most major news outlets and has been sold in over 120 countries. He has worked with celebrities such as Tony Hawk, Jeff Bridges, Lyle Lovett, and many more. John has received three presidential service awards for his innovative multi-sensory art workshops. He painted a Boeing 737 for Delta to promote the Rock-in-Rio concert, the largest concert in the world. He is ranked as the #1 blind painter in the world, and the only blind muralist having completed projects in New York, Dallas, and Fort Worth. He recently was named a cultural ambassador for the US and has shared his story with audiences for the past ten years.

If you would like to learn more about John, feel free to visit his website.

Additionally, we will be continuing these artistic opportunities throughout the month. Vision of the Artist’s Soul welcomes all participants, and is a great way to learn about new mediums, explore tactile art, meet inspiring artists, and connect with others. Stay tuned for more events, blog-posts, and workshops; we would love to see you there!

About Vision of the Artist’s Soul Program: "Vision of the Artist's Soul" is an after-school Tactile Art Program founded by Rishika Kartik that serves as an engaging creative outlet for students who are blind or have low vision interested in accessible tactile art.

The program, with workshops that roll out in three phases, is the recipient of 2020 Arts In Society grant. Each session will focus on utilizing three-dimensional media to create artwork that explores spatial relationships, texture and form. The workshops will integrate educational concepts to strengthen the overall arts curriculum. As participants explore the materials and creative process, they will hear from an inspiring artist to learn about their story and artistic practice.

About Arts in Society Grant:

Arts in Society is a collaborative grant-making program that fosters cross-sector work through the arts by supporting the integration of arts and culture into multiple disciplines critical to the health and well-being of Coloradans. The program is administered by RedLine Contemporary Art Center and funded through a cohort of Colorado foundations.

Tags:
#tactilceart, #Artfortheblind, #touchart, #visuallyimpaired, #blindartist,, #accessibleart, #artforall, #sensoryart, #BlindandVI, #accessibility, #inclusion, #artmuseums, #artforeveryone, #accessiblemuseum
#lowvision, Art for the visually impaired, Art for the Blind