A Letter at 33: In Dumbo with CAM

I found myself sitting on the floor of his studio, legs crossed pretzel style, listening.

Not to an interview. Not to content. But to something that felt like a letter.

The Brooklyn native artist, known for his bold, expressive visual language, carries a story that begins long before the canvas. As a child, on days when there was no school, he would go to work with his father, a bus driver, learning early what it meant to observe, to move through the city, and to understand people.

His signature stained glass aesthetic traces back even further. Through visits to church as a child, he became drawn to the way light moved through color, how figures could be fragmented yet remain whole. That language of color, form, and structure continues to define his work today.

Now at 55, CAM still carries a depth of knowledge, experience, and clarity that continues to pour into the next generation. Sitting in that studio, you could feel it. Not just in his work, but in his words.

At 33, I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear what he was about to say.

Keep learning as much as possible.

Trust your decisions. And if you don’t, question why.

CAM spoke about intuition like something you build. Through research. Through experience. Through reflection. Not just within yourself, but through others. And not always the people you expect. Sometimes it’s a teacher. Sometimes it’s a stranger. Sometimes it’s a moment that forces you to decide.

“Throw it off on people and make a decision there.”

There was no hesitation. Just clarity.

He spoke about staying hungry. About coasting. About understanding that while rest has its place, momentum matters more.

“Vacations are cool… but not like coasting.”

It wasn’t about working all the time. It was about staying focused. Being intentional with your time, your energy, your direction.

At 33, that hit differently.

Because it’s easy to feel like you’ve arrived somewhere. Or that you’ve earned the right to slow down. But what he gave me in that moment was a reminder that growth doesn’t pause just because you’ve reached a certain age.

“Be relentless.”

Not in a way that burns you out. But in a way that keeps you moving. Keeps you curious. Keeps you searching for the next phase, and figuring out how to get there.

I walked into that studio for an interview.

I left with something that will stay with me far beyond it.

— Soul Search Art

Full interview “In Dumbo with CAM” available on our Youtube channel.