Updates & Events

Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friends~
The *Arizona Art Adventure* begins this week! For the next month I'll be
living on a mountaintop in Arizona, observing and painting the experience of
nature... And you're coming with me!

Today would mark the 95th birthday of one of my favorite artist folk heroes,
Everett Ruess. Born in 1914 in California, Everett was a very kind, caring
and sensitive young man, who took many solo journeys into the canyonlands of
Arizona and Utah to create stunning works of art and writing. His
consciousness was profoundly altered by his intense perception of nature,
and his original intentions of fame were passed for the love of peace and
solitude. At the age of 20 in 1931, Everett and his two burros went missing
near Escalante canyon in southern Utah and he was never found. His fate
remains a mystery but his spirit and artwork lives on. (For more on Ruess
and his art, visit http://www.EverettRuess.net)

Everett's story is truly inspiring much of my upcoming journey out west. I
may grow a beard, get a cool hat, and paint like there's no tomorrow.
Painting with the spirit of Everett and others alongside me. Experiencing
nature and painting to feel alive.

I think I may leave one day this week. Stay tuned... These emails are about
to get a lot more interesting. I'm taking you with me! Let's go!!!

With a firm handshake, excitement and anticipation... and a "Cheers" to
Everett!!
Happy Journeys :)
John

"When I go I leave no trace." ~Everett Ruess