One Man’s Salvation
I'm moved. I'm touched. I'm inspired. I'm in love. I'm grateful. I'm in ahhhh. All by one man's life's work. A man that heard a message and had to create. He had nothing, yet everything. He spent over 3 decades painting and sculpting every day. He lived his vision, his dream. I had the amazing opportunity to visit Leonard Knight's Salvation Mountain which has changed my view on art, life and giving.
"I see it" I cried. There it was, standing tall in the distance in all it's glory with the sun's rays shining atop the white cross. I am so excited, actually, damn giddy!! As we drove up my brother, Aaron, told me of the time he helped Leonard for a day about 10+ years ago.
Aaron and his college buddy were visiting the Salton Sea when the locals told them about this man's passion for spreading the word of God through creating a mountain out of hay bales and buckets of paint. They were intrigued and had to see this for themselves.
From the moment they met Leonard he was welcoming, full of love and life. He even put Aaron to work, helping drill a hole in the dome that criss crossed with trees, paint, hay and car windows. He would spend the day helping Leonard with other odd and ins around the mountain. Aaron became inspired by this man who had no material wealth, lived secluded in the desert in his car with no electricity, running water and few possessions yet he was giving, grateful and amazingly passionate about his work.
As we walk around, roaming through passages and walking up the "yellow brick road" Aaron continues his story. We are reliving his moment in time with Leonard. You can feel his energy all around, he is with us. It's as if at any moment Leonard will pop his head up from his paint covered ladder, full of delight, while giving us another task to help with his creation. Leonard's message continues to live and spread, even thought he has left this world. You feel him in every drip of paint, in every flower, in every message of love.
Once we reach the top of the mountain we look out. There we both stand, peacefully taking it all in. As we watch the suns final set, the warmth of the glowing sky leaves us feeling full of love for a man and his one salvation.