THE NARRATIVE ARC

My Soul Portraits Gave Me Keys to the Art World Overnight

Hard lessons on happiness, identity and purpose is what came after

Soul Portrait by

It’s often in bed, when in reverie in the half lucid, half dream state that marks the transition to sleep that my biggest insights and visions arrive. That’s what happened one night in Berlin, a year after I left my life and work in New York City unsure of what would come next. I saw myself using words as an art form, words on the street (a.k.a. street art) and it came through me so strongly I could barely sleep.

I had been a psychotherapist. By the following morning, riding high on the prior night’s vision, it was clear: I’m going to be an artist now. That was breaking news, I’d never considered that before. And words? Though not something I’d been fine-tuning, those I did know I have a way with.

So, what did I do next? I bought canvases, an easel, paintbrushes, sponges and paint, not stencils, spray paint or street art gear. I talked with others about my vision and received encouragement but something pulled me first, and I don’t believe it was fear, in a different direction.

I’m in my apartment with my new easel, an eighty by eighty centimeter canvas, small paintbrush in hand, and acrylic paint covering…