How Art Healed My Soul

In my late twenties, after years of living a mundane life following society’s rule, I finally broke. I was absolutely miserable in corporate America. I woke up each morning dreading the day ahead of me. I might say, although I didn’t know it at the time, that I was in a deep state of depression.

I was desperate to live a different life; a life where I could be intrinsically happy, where I could do something that had purpose. My thoughts immediately centered around the one thing that has always been a part of me, my love for creating art.

I began taking a couple of night classes at the local community college.  It became the one thing I looked most forward to each week.  Finally, the depression began to fade away, and I had hope again.  I knew that I wanted to make art for a living.  I wanted to paint, and draw and create a healing place for myself and for others through my artwork.

I was eventually accepted into Columbia College Chicago where I pursued a M.A.T. in Art Education. After years of night school while working full time, I graduated and became an art educator and a working artist.  I’m going to be very honest when I tell you that it wasn’t always easy, and there were times when I wanted to crawl in a hole and give up.  But now, I have absolutely no regrets.  It was the best decision I have ever made.

Ten years later, I continue to create art and inspire young artists to follow their own artistic paths.

Wouldn’t you know it, once I followed my passion and pursued my dreams, all other parts of my life seemed to fall into place.  All I had to do was put myself out there, and the powers that be responded.  Would you like to own an art shop?  Would you like to exhibit?  Would you like to be in art festivals?  Would you like to meet the love of your life who’s as passionate about the arts as you are?  My answer was “yes” to it all of it.

My biggest gift that I want to share with you is this.  It really is NEVER too late to begin again.  If you are unhappy with what you were given or what you chose for your life, you can change your path.  

Returning to my passion did indeed heal my soul. It saved my life actually. When I meet others who deeply connect with my artwork, it only strengthens my belief of how much art heals us all.  

A few years after I went through this big career and life change, my dad said something that stuck with me. He said, “You know buddy, I didn’t understand at first why you did this. You made good money, you were successful. But now I see how much happier you are, and I get it.”