Serendipity or Divine Intervention

After Boris’ open heart surgery, he experienced a lot of physical pain and fatigue. The sepsis complicated his recovery. He was not able to do the normal everyday tasks as he did in the past before the illness. It was difficult for him to find the strength to do anything, especially paint. He was sinking into a dark hole. I had a spontaneous idea of getting out of the four walls of our home and going down to Miami for two days and exploring the art scene to get some inspiration. We went to different galleries and were told to go to Little Haiti if we wanted to see art. We drove down NE 59th St. and saw the gallery of J. Steven Manolis. We didn’t know who he was at the time. From the street we saw large paintings with beautiful bright colors. We knocked on the door and he graciously welcomed us in to look at his art. It was exactly what we needed, like a breath of fresh air. The brightness of the colors were so uplifting. Steven shared some of his story and journey as an artist. It was inspiring and encouraging to Boris. That day, October 4, 2019, was a turning point for Boris. His creativity began to flourish and painting became like therapy. I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe that we were meant to be there that day and meet Steven. His small act of kindness made a huge impact on Boris’ art journey.

Photo: Preparation for Miami: Pastel Paradise (2023)

R to L: J. Steven Manolis, Boris Vujovich, Bruce Helander