1                                                                                                Brainwave Connections                                                                        Summer 2006
Text Box: able to see Seth's brainwaves in real-time and learn about Seth's astonishing ability to enter the creative zone. The discussion group included Dr. Collura and artists, producers, educators, and clinicians discussing the importance of understanding autism, and fostering creativity and acceptance of those we may inclined to think of as "outsiders." Text Box: Seth Chwast, who was diagnosed with autism as a very young child, lived for years in an internal world of roller coasters, haunted houses, and classical music. At age 20, Seth's mother was advised that Seth's best chance at meaningful work would be mopping and cleaning floors. Not willing to accept that assessment of her son's future, Debra Chwast looked for alternatives. A dramatic change occurred when Seth took an oil painting class at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Seth, who rarely speaks, began describing his world in paint. It turned out that he had an innate ability to mix colors and create amazing large scale oil paintings. Self-study portraits are now one of his recurring subjects, along with Text Box: spectacular landscapes of aurora skies, mysterious forests, and horses. His work has been appreciated by collectors and recognized by art experts. Perhaps more importantly, painting has opened up a world of communication for Seth, and meaningful work as a committed artist. As part of Seth's exhibit and discussion at the 2006 Cleveland Ingenuity Festival, Tom Collura, of BrainMaster Technologies, Inc. collaborated to record Seth's brainwaves while painting, using wireless EEG technology. During the recording session, Seth observed his own EEG for over 2 hours, and became absorbed in his own brain activity. As this stimulated his creativity, he recited the phrase "grow your brain" as he worked on a new self-portrait. Ingenuity attendees were Text Box: Seth Chwast, artist and pioneer Text Box: Summer 2006 Text Box: Volume 2, Issue 3

Brainwave Connections
Text Box: Also in this issue: Coherence and Brain Connectivity The Neuro-relaxation Paradigm MorrisonDance and BrainMaster wireless EEG/Dance performance at The Cleveland Clinic

Dedicated to communication and education in the emerging fields of neurofeedback, mental fitness, and brain modification

 

 

Seth Chwast “grows his brain” while combining EEG biofeedback with artistic   expression