As an artist, passionate environmentalist, and wicked animal advocate; my thoughts and style have always combined them all. With that, you gravitate to like minds if there are any…. for akinness, learning, inspiration and mentoring. I have had 3 mentors in life. My mother being my most powerful, and 2 others; Paul Watson and Robert Redford. It’s a fine line between career and passion but when you do one for the benefit of the other, the purpose and spirit blend.
15 years ago traveling a desolate, UT mountain road on a cold January night I was searching for it. I needed to visit and to feel this mentors place, to validate my instinct that he was what I envisioned and deserved my following. You can tell about people who have this spirit and purpose even from afar but I wanted to see it. And finally almost hidden, under a dim light it appeared. A small boulder engraved simply, Sundance. So secluded that it seemed a secret not wanting to be found but of course, that was the point and his. Like if you knew, you knew -otherwise just keep going by.
Driving up the road you come upon a hidden cabin straight out Jeremiah Johnson. A plank porch with a carved door opens to the “lobby”. A small reception area with a stone fireplace, a few overstuffed loveseats, and rustic accents. It looked like my home in NY. Everything about Sundance was blended into the mountain-from the natural ski area to the little spa and you had to search to find them including, his own home further up the mountain road. It was everything a so-called resort should be to me-barely heard and not seen, I understood immediately why a person continues to do something they really preferred to stop (in his case acting) it was to save this place and the mountains around it. I got it.
The film festival in nearby mountain town of Park City was just starting and the blend of art & nature was evident everywhere. This was not a Cannes or Hollywood this was Sundance off the mountain. Walking through town an empty storefront caught my eye with movement inside. On a mans hand stood a giant owl staring back at me who motioned me to come in. Turns out it was the trained owl Hoot from the Harry Potter movies which was promptly put on my arm to visit with. The first thing I remember was how warm he was against my face. His feathers were as smooth as silk. I was in heaven-the photo on my About Us page is the two of us.
With my mentor confirmed as I felt he would be; I added a floral arrangment to my Flowers For A Cause section to benefit the Redford Institute. Although there are many thoughts that go into creating these designs so to relate to the cause; I knew it should be called A River Runs bowl. He is known for the Sundance Kid and named his resort the same, however I also felt his career of this to benefit that so it was obvious.
I am sad that he has left us but his inspiration never will. As an aspiring artist he switched to acting and directing for fun and to fund his real heartsong-saving that UT mountain and others like it. I am grateful for all he inspired in me and I will miss him.
Lynn