John Bramblitt teaches visually-impaired kids to paint at the National Braille Press. Photo: Karyn Regal/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Blind artist John Bramblitt is helping kids like him on an unexpected journey — exploring the visual arts. On Wednesday, Bramblitt taught a group of visually impaired kids how to paint at the National Braille Press.
The National Braille Press is a Boston advocacy organization that supports Braille literacy.
Texas-based Bramblitt got his start in art after losing his vision 20 years ago. The artist fell into a deep depression at first, but soon took up painting.
"Painting became my way of connecting with people...I can't see with my eyes anymore, but I still have my imagination, I can still touch and perceive with my hands," he said.
Bramblitt has to think outside the box to get the kids inspired. He gave them jelly beans, and asked them to paint the flavor — an attempt to invoke synesthesia, the blending of two or more senses like taste and sight or sound and touch.
Kids like Hannah responded well to the exercise, saying that her jelly bean tasted orange, and painted a yellow-orange star.
WBZ's Karyn Regal (@karynregal) has more:
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