Did you ever have a teacher...

that changed the nature of who you are?  Or more specifically, help you see your truer self?  i did.  It was over twenty years ago and i was a freshman at RISD.  It was the spring semester and it was 2-d design.  My professor was Lee Dejasu.  I had heard stories about how amazing his class was, and there were students trying to transfer sections so they could have a class with him.  I had no idea what i was in for.  I thought 2-d design was 2-d design.  Not with Lee.  2-d design was everything.  It was the vehicle through which Lee taught us to trust our voice.  He had this amazing way of shining a light on what was true for you, and helping you to realize just that.  Anything was possible.  Anything was art.  It was one of the few times in my life where i did not worry about an outcome.  Success or failure was beside the point.  The gift was not of just seeing what is true, but trusting what is true, and it was a profound experience I  have been thankful for all these years later.  I've kept in touch with Lee over the years...a card for my MFA show, a letter about a new job, or a move and the birth of my son.  I sent him an announcement for my exhibition last month.   Then I took a friend to see the exhibition and found the art center had received a letter for me.  From Lee.  It was full of that light.  He still has the gift of finding the pulse of what's true.  But there was also another gift in his words...his voice.  Words about the images he is making, the things he is teaching, the things he is learning about art, life, family, children.  And i am thankful that i still have much to learn, and that he has been willing to continue to teach me.