I read Jon Krakauer’s book “Into The Wild” years ago while working at a bookshop in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Chris’ story was powerful and resonated with me on a deep level. His desire to explore and test himself is a universal component of the human condition. When Sean Penn’s film of the same name came out in 2008 my interest in Chris’ Journey was reignited once again.

I had to do something, contribute somehow. I am a professional artist by vocation, so naturally my desire was to offer up something in the creative realm.

I decided to write to Walt and Billie, Chris’ parents, and offered to do a painting about Chris for them. I wanted to pay some respect to his journey and memory. A wonderful friendship blossomed and soon became an ongoing relationship and hands-on involvement in Chris’ legacy, reflected in the charitable outreach of the Foundation that bears his name.

When I saw the hundreds of photographs that Chris had taken to document his Journey, I was greatly moved. They are a visual testament to a life lived fully and intensely, on the cusp of the unknown every day. They were riveting. We started to talk about how we could show the world these photographs and writings that their son left behind. Over two years later here we are. It is an exciting time and the culmination of a great amount of work done by many talented people. I will never forget being involved in this project. It has been a true labor of love.

I am an adventurer, explorer and full-time practicing artist from Burlington, Ontario, Canada. I have gallery representation in Oakville, Ontario and Toronto, Ontario. Moments of transition, reflection, and the delicate tenacity of the human psyche are themes found within my paintings. Perhaps that is why Chris’ photographs and words move me so very much.

www.heatherhorton.com
www.heatherhortonartwork.blogspot.com

» back to Team Page »