In Conversation with Joel Bermano

Born in South Africa and once a successful boxing promoter in Las Vegas (and a maker/seller of beef jerky), he began painting in 2010 and has since amassed a loyal following of collectors, also having painted for world icons & Royals like Princess Charlene of Monaco, and the late Nelson Mandela and Pope Francis. Bermano’s art is instantly recognizable—vivid colors, bold forms, and spiritual undertones woven into every brushstroke, his style carries both intimacy & grandeur, drawing viewers into a world where beauty, prophecy, and legacy intertwine. His journey has been anything but conventional: in 2010, with no prior experience, he picked up a paintbrush for the first time in Dallas. His raw, emotional canvases immediately resonated with collectors, but the rapid success left him overwhelmed. A deep mental & spiritual collapse brought him back to South Africa where he rebuilt his strength before returning to the U.S. in 2013, this time to NYC where he spent 8 months living in a Bowery hostel. Working in a coffee shop in a yoga studio by Union Square, Bermano spent much of his time before/after his shifts painting & selling works for $10–$20 on the grimy tiles of Union Square subway station, also inviting strangers/passersby to join him in creating. More than 500 strangers sat down on those subway floors to paint with him over the 8 months, many later returning to share how the experience had impacted them. From his humble beginnings, Bermano paints with purpose, also donating works that have raised more than $350,000 for charities, including Operation Smile.

I had the pleasure of asking Joel what motivates him to create art and keeps him driven and inspired, what work of art moved him, and so much more.

UZOMAH: Why art? Can you name something about art that made you want to pursue it as a career?

JOEL: I suffered from intrusive thoughts and OCD since childhood, and for most of my early life my mind was never quiet. In 2010, I experienced peace for the first time, almost like a divine pause, and in that moment I had an epiphany: I needed to paint. Not just paint for therapy, but to become one of the highest-value artists of all time—so I could help people in need. That calling has driven every brushstroke since.

U: What does the statement “Art is life, and life is art” mean to you?

J: Einstein said you can look at everything as if it’s a miracle or as if it’s nothing special. I choose miracles. I see God in all creation, and my joy is expressing that divine energy through my own vision. For me, life and art are inseparable—they’re the same breath. Everything I create is my attempt to show people the spiritual beauty I see.

U: How do you know when an artwork is finished?

J: Some paintings take me a few days. Others I’ve worked on for ten years—layer after layer, transformation after transformation. You just know. There’s an inner voice that says, “Now it’s ready. Now it will touch someone.” I wait for that moment—when I feel the artwork will evoke an emotional response the second someone sees it.

U: What motivates you to create art and keeps you driven and inspired?

J: I had an epiphany that I would become a Picasso, a Van Gogh, a Michelangelo of my era—that’s why I chose the name Bermano. I’m driven by two equal forces:

50% the desire to reach multimillion-dollar sales and cement my legacy, and

50% the mission to give back.

So far, my art has helped raise close to $350,000 for charitable causes. That impact keeps me painting with purpose.

U: How do you prepare for an exhibition? In terms of theme and arrangement?

J: In the early years, I’d bring everything—lions, cartoons, florals, abstracts—all in one show. It was too much. Now I create with clarity. For example, at Context Miami I focused on flowers, animals, and nature to create a powerful, unified booth. I always curate so the space feels like a journey, not a jumble.

U: How would you describe your artwork to someone who has never seen it before?

J: It will make your soul shine and bring a big smile to your face. My goal is always emotional uplift—joy, hope, and a sense of inner power.

U: What is the best part about being an artist?

J: Doing something you love so deeply that you would do it for free—and then being blessed enough to earn a living from it. That’s the dream. That’s freedom.

U: Who are some of your favorite clients you’ve created artwork for, and why?

J: Pope Francis: When I started, no one believed in me. Seven years later, I was at the Vatican presenting him with a painting. It was surreal.

Nelson Mandela: He loved the color and energy of a piece I created, and he signed it. Meeting him was a beautiful, unforgettable encounter.

Princess Charlene of Monaco: She saw one of my lions at a friend’s home and personally reached out to commission one for her palace. That moment showed me how far my art had traveled in the world.

U: How do you want your artwork to be remembered?

J: As a completely unique style—and as a testament that with belief, passion, and faith, anything is possible. I want my art to be remembered as extremely valuable not just in price, but in spirit.

For more information about Joel’s artwork, please visit his site here. He can also be found on Instagram. Joel will be showing at CONTEXT Art Miami, Dec 2-7, Booth C2

In Conversation with Joel Bermano

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