It all started with a risk. I was newly on my own after being in a relationship for almost 30 years and I was learning how to adjust to life by myself for the first time in a long, long time. In an effort to make myself smile, i bought a ticket to a concert in Vail Colorado at the Gerald Ford Amphitheatre. The concert was two of my favorite bands in the world playing on the same night: Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Blues Traveler. The concert was a triumph for me personally as it was the first thing I did completely by myself and completely for myself in a while. Like any other concert I took a million photographs and went home and immediately found one that I felt was worthy of a piece of art. The great John Popper playing his harmonica with more connection and soul than anyone I've ever seen play any instrument ever. And then he'd lift his mouth away from the instrument and sing into the microphone with a voice that is inimitable. When you hear John Popper you know that it could only be him.

The piece I created was very satisfying as I listened to him play and tried to do him right by my painting skills. I posted the painting on my website with all the others I create and was left extremely happy that I had that experience.

It was about two weeks later when I was sitting at my studio desk and the phone rang with a voice on the line saying, “Hey there. Is this Rick the artist? This Is John Popper and I'd like to buy the painting I saw.” I was stunned and finally was able to respond, “Yeah sure it is.” He laughed and proved to me it was him and he not only bought the painting from me, but he signed it as well and we donated it to We Rock Cancer, a charity in Washington DC, where it raised over $1400 at their silent auction!

Now, over a year later, we text each other regularly and we’ve shared many questions and ponderings from the road. Last July, the band came to Colorado for their Annual 4th of July Concert at Red Rocks and John gifted me backstage passes. After growing up in Colorado and seeing many shows at Red Rocks, it was nothing short of thrilling to be able to wander the depths of the place and not get in trouble. They let me sign the famous wall, watch the show from the side of the stage and I met John and the guys afterwards downstairs. An unforgettable moment in a night full of them.

All because I drew a picture.