51����

Based on the author's actual journey after a health issue disrupts his creative path as an artist and a poet as he explores a Croatian island

SAN DIEGO, July 7, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Part travel narrative, part internal reckoning, author and artist Rod Engel shares a fictionalized version of himself as he seeks clarity in both art and life after a mysterious health crisis disrupts his creativity.

In "Scarlet, Circles and Dreams," Engel presents an adapted version of what happened when chemical toxicity health issues forced him to step away from his art as a painter. Although writing poetry kept him creatively content for a while, he eventually craved more to feel fulfilled. The thought of writing a book occurred to him while looking through a journal he had written six years prior documenting his trip to a small Croatian island to study with an internationally acclaimed contemporary artist.

"My story provides a unique look inside the mind of an artist caught between the darkness of his passion-turned-obsession and the intriguing light leading him to the transcendent purpose of his life," said Engel. "I'm hoping to inspire readers to look within themselves to discover life's highest purpose."

In his story, Engel is working under the guidance of an enigmatic and renowned painter while navigating an unfamiliar Croatian island as well as a deeper dreamlike layer of self-exploration and spiritual awakening.

"After discovering that fictionalized memoirs were an accepted writing genre," said Engel, "I got creative with my writing, weaving together threads of reality and imagination to create a patchwork story about my journey back to painting and more importantly on to life's highest purpose."

"Scarlet, Circles, and Dreams: An Artist's Journey Home"
By Rod Engel
ISBN: 9798765244197 (softcover); 9798765244210 (hardcover); 9798765244203 (electronic)
Available at , and

About the author
Rod Engel is an artist, poet, and author. His love of art and poetry has given him the inspiration to
creatively craft into words the thoughts and adventures that play through his mind. He creatively
weaves his life experiences into his poetry and writing. Rod has exhibited his artwork in several local galleries and venues throughout San Diego, where he resides. To learn more, please visit .

Media Contact

Ziggy Goldfarb, Balboa Press, 4803067065, [email protected],

SOURCE Balboa Press