Have you ever considered throwing in the towel, parking yourself in the desert, in the middle of nowhere, where you can live for free and pursue your art?
If you did, you might end up like this crazy dude extremely creative artist who built Salvation Mountain. It’s an art installation made out of adobe, straw and paint – thousands and thousands of gallons of paint.
He paints cars too.
In fact, everything there is painted!
Salvation Mountain is built in “The Slabs” which is an old World War II marine barracks near Niland, California. All that is left of the barracks now is some concrete slabs. You can camp there for free and if you visit you will find everything from people who have been hippies for decades to people with hundred thousand dollar RV’s equipped with solar panels all camping for free in the desert.
It’s really something to see.
What do you think? Could you live in the desert and paint for years on end? You know, I think I could 🙂
I hope you were able to meet Leonard Knight, the creator/artist. Just about the nicest man you could ever meet and he doesn’t spew any religious talk when you visit with him. The last I’ve heard though is that he’s moved into town (Niland) as he’s really get up in years and needs a bit more attention than what he has at the Mountain alone. That is not him in your pictures, just a volunteer who’s helping maintain the project. I spent a day doing that hauling adobe to the top of the Museum. My if that didn’t instill some respect into me in all that he’s accomplished! The next day I repainted the blue in the waterfall, no easy task in itself either. Glad that you went in to see Salvation Mountain and Slab City.
Hi John, no I didn’t. I understand that Leonard Knight is in a care home now. I think his legacy is going to last a long time. It’s such an unusual thing to see. Thanks for your visit and comments!
Very cool Anne! I’d never heard of this place (or its landmark), but I’ll have to check it out the next time I’m down that way.
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Hi Russ, yes definitely check it out – it is an unusual place. With some unusual people 🙂
What an unusual and colorful find Anne. You couldn’t describe it without the images.
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Thank you very much Len! No, I don’t think people would believe me without the images to back it up!
I’ve come across info and photos of Salvation Moutain before but your photos are the best I’ve seen of the site.
Wow, thank you very much Gale, I appreciate that. It sure was a unique place to see. Very colourful. Thanks for your comments!