Soul Paint offers a unique VR venture that blends the creativity of 3D drawing with introspective self-exploration. Unveiled at SXSW 2024, this innovative project by Sarah Ticho & Niki Smit, featuring narration by Rosario Dawson, invites users to immerse themselves in a journey of emotional discovery. Within this captivating ethereal space, participants can use tools to sketch across a 3D environment, interacting with their own virtual forms.
Utilizing a combination of body-mapping and virtual reality, Soul Paint serves as a pathway to explore and become more conscious of one’s emotions. The creators emphasize its goal of nurturing empathy and social connections by allowing users to share their emotional experiences with others upon completion.
During a session at the NewImages Festival 2025, I spent 20 engaging minutes exploring this realm in the XR Market. The experience kicks off with a profound question: “Where are you feeling?” Initially, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it, but it didn’t take long for Soul Paint to reveal its spiritual undertones. In this serene, almost divine setting, you are warmly encouraged to express yourself physically.
The resulting experience is soothing and introspective, promoting a sense of self-realization. Though my artistic skills may not win any accolades, the process felt personally fulfilling. The ability to draw on your virtual body and leave a voice note for others to discover is a beautiful way to communicate emotions that defy simple verbal expression.
As a virtual mirror to one’s self, Soul Paint allows for limited interactivity in its linear format, but nonetheless succeeds in creating a strong sense of embodiment and personal choice. It’s a fresh approach to expressing ourselves, deepened by its meditative qualities. I’m hopeful that we’ll see more projects like this in the future.
Currently, it’s uncertain if Soul Paint will be available for home use, but we’ll be sure to provide updates if that changes.
