The Oak Tree began to evolve at the heights of Big Sur, California on September 22, 2018

Surrounded by majestic deep-etched oak trees atop Big Sur, its serenity and beauty slowly communicated itself onto paper. It was during the first “Bob Ross weekend” meant to ignite unadulterated artistry by alternative means that the Oak Tree would start to grow. Funk begins his cuts.

Located near a spot they call “Top of the World,” it was a challenge at first to find creativity, as the beautiful location had become inundated by more people of secular purposes.

Eventually, the serenity and beauty and Funk’s obsession with the gnarly oak tree prevailed.

The Bob Ross weekend

Bob Ross exemplifies many things to many people: individuality, creativity and inner peace. People turned him into a pop icon because of his purity. Purity that was taken to new levels with the Big Sur artistry experience, which RMFL coined the “Bob Ross Weekend.”

The Bob Ross Weekend began when RMFL brother Rob, of Third Eye Spiral, entered this experimental head-space under the influence of mushrooms as he painted his abstract sunset.

Funk found his creative safe space through cannabis. It was all coordinated and calculated to be safe, so to keep any inhibitions and worries away, yet stay psychedelically inspired.

Creating under the influence is nothing new. It has a role that can be constructive when responsible. It’s a learned method to respect when it comes to your well-being. It was also a long-awaited leap of faith to trust something beyond your control to become creatively uninhibited. To do it in collaboration and with good intent was an added bonus - if only this can be bottled for the world.

Having never tried to create under the influence, Funk took a leap of faith and the Oak Tree began to flow in every sense. From synapses-to-sketch to cutting out the stencil, it arose - all the while watching Rob spend hours in his psychedelic state interpreting the exploding sunset with his multitude of permanent markers put to paper and literally communicating with his forming art piece.

Now, no longer needing to view the actual environment, the details of the oak tree became etched and embedded to memory for hours. It was a virtuoso moment that lived in its own separate time and space. Separately, conversations could be had; other observations could be made; uncoordinated physical actions provided comedic relief and new inspiration suddenly hit like a wave.

The Revelation Realized

It became evident these two different art pieces belonged locked in dance together. Brother Rob’s abstract sunset radiating through the Oak Tree is what you see pictured as the beautiful gradients and undulating strokes incite consequence.

Not one to rush through his pieces, it did take some time to think through how to integrate Rob’s work. It not only became the glow at the Oak Tree’s center, but also represents the free spirit and essence of what was felt and captured separately and now in unison of what all life possesses.

The Oak Tree revealed

As it took several more trips, the tedious cutting process and finality of the Oak Tree had to rightfully be done in Big Sur. The final slice and cut was completed at Mill Creek in the open back of Funk’s trusty 4x4 while overlooking the grand Pacific Ocean. Pictured here, captured for posterity.

Of all days to complete the stencil, it was right after his wife’s birthday, October 21, 2018, at the usual hangout and meeting spot of the RMFL team.

It was finally mounted, matted and framed in May 2019 – almost like it was planned during the month of Funk’s birthday.

For all that is the backstory of this everlasting work you see captured in the intro, there is also the art of love and the reason for life that equally adorns the back of this artwork – a signed and written dedication to his wife to which it all belongs.