Soul Portraits
Art that reflects who you truly are.
Why do you do Soul Portraits?
#MeToo. That is something I never wanted to say. I had hoped to be able to put it behind me. But no matter how hard you try, there are some things that just keep affecting your life. I was 6 when it happened to me the first time. I tried to pretend it never happened at all. I never talked about it to anyone. Pretty soon I put it out of my mind altogether. It was a bad dream. Then when I was 10 I had a family member molest me. It was like the nightmare was coming back. I still never spoke about it. I was so ashamed. Maybe it was me.
In High School, I was introduced to the two things that saved my sanity. Art and Literature. Art allowed me to paint feelings I could not say out loud. I could let people draw their own conclusions. That’s when I realized that people looked at art from their own view. They told their story, not mine. It was a safe place for me to get things out without telling anyone anything. Literature was introduced by one of my teachers. My family read, but it was never looked at as a way to identify with others. They were stories, not real life. There was no symbolism, metaphor, or iconic imagery. It was just a book. But my teacher opened that other world to me. Books were more. Books allowed you to see how someone else dealt with life issues. There were archetypes that we could identify with in our own lives. And there was symbolism and metaphor. When he introduced Greek mythology and I read the story of the Phoenix I spent time crying alone in my room. I wanted to be just like the Phoenix. Rising from the fire, flame, and ash a new creature. A new, beautiful creature. I wanted to be ready to fiercely reclaim myself and my existence. From that time on, The Phoenix became my metaphor. It was my symbolism. I would fight to get a life back from what had happened. And fight I did.
I am now a full-time artist. I paint metaphor paintings for people who have suffered and survived trauma of all sorts. Art is a powerful way to be able to see yourself through different eyes. A Soul Portrait is a reflection of what you, personally, identify with as an image of strength, healing, and joy. My Soul Portraits are a way to look at yourself in a different context, aside from your pain, aside from the trauma. The Soul Portrait is you, not just surviving, but thriving. It is your symbol of hope and a sign of your future.
What is a Soul Portrait?
I create Soul Portraits to give a visual representation of the transformation you are making on your journey to healing.
How can art show who I truly am?
Soul Portraits are a collaboration between you and me. I dig deep to help you discover the images that really represent how you see yourself.
How does seeing these images help me see myself differently?
Life experiences can distort how you see yourself. Trauma, abuse, and bullying can make you feel small and insignificant. Connecting with images that associate with strength help you see yourself differently.
How can art help my healing?
Stress, depression, anxiety, and trauma can all affect the way you see your life. Art, both the action of doing it and seeing it turns the bad tapes in your head off and helps you think more clearly. A clear outlook helps you find the solutions to the stress in your life.
How do Soul Portraits help healing?
A Soul Portrait has imagery that is specific to you. Having images that you connect with helps you see yourself stronger, freer, and more joyful. You can look at it daily and remind yourself “That’s me. That is who I really am!”
What’s the process of doing a Soul Portrait?
1. The Questionnaire
The first step is to complete a questionnaire. It’s a detailed series of questions that help me understand what you’ve been through, how it affected you and how you’ve dealt with it until now. It also goes through a series of questions about you as a person. How you approach things, your personality, the things you connect with and how you see strength in yourself. The more honestly you answer these questions, the better I’ll be able to discover images that you will connect with.
2. The Phone Interview
Once I go over the answers I’ll set up a phone interview with you. Plan on about one hour. I’ll dig deeper into those answers to help clarify which images are the most helpful, strong and uplifting for you.
3. The Plan
Now it’s time for me to research those images and make a plan. I do a sketch for the painting to tie all those important elements together into a painting that is full of metaphor and meaning for you.
4. The Painting
After I’ve done all my planning, I start on the painting. The whole process takes approximately 4 – 6 weeks to complete. When the painting is finished, I’ll let you know when it is on it’s way to you. If you live in the area I’ll be happy to hand deliver it and help you hang it.
What is the cost and what is included?
Soul Portraits $1500
This includes:
A detailed questionnaire.
A phone call to explore the answers in depth.
The planning sketch
Finished 16″ x 20″ painting. Larger paintings are available for a cost adjustment for size. Smaller paintings are not currently available.
The substrate chosen will depend on what media I choose for the painting. Pastels require paper and will be framed. Acrylics will be done on a gallery wrapped canvas with complete hardware and ready for hanging.
Complete painting takes 4 – 6 weeks but will depend on how many orders I have. Payments can be made in three non-refundable installments.