But lately I've been working from photos. Its hard to do a portrait from a photo when I don't know the person. Its not easy to inject some of their personality the way that Van Gogh did in his. I think it turns out flat but c'est la vie.
I've held off doing stuff from memory as Gaugin advocated to 'assume a more mysterious character ' . I've simply haven't been that brave for I think that's when you really expose yourself to the world, that's when you are signing with your soul .

Ever worry about your safety, or health?

Yes. I try to blend in wherever I go. I try to be unobtrusive and mildly visible. I park my bus in the streets, at parks, on the beach, always with other cars around. Sometimes, I'm bbqing inside while parked in the middle of a parking lot with none the wiser. I guess I'm just transparent when I want to be.
Thus, I've avoided the thieves as well as the police. The worst places are, of course, the big cities in the summer. At any other times and any other places, Europe is considerably safe.

As far as health, I try to keep healthy and fit and take constant precautions.

What's one of the more memorable stories you've experienced in your journey?

I would have to say when my bus broke down in Paris and this guy Wedgy helped me out. I mean, he went the extra mile for me, a stranger he never met before, with no thought of reward or pride. He helped me out 3-4 hours that day and then that whole week until I got my bus fixed.

That time was very memorable and an optimistic one. And at subsequent times, when I've needed help in my journey, I have found authentically good, honest, generous people. Thus, have I been rewarded so far in search for my treasure.

What are some of your most memorable journal entries?

5 top memorable journal entries (a la Nick Hornsby):

1. when I reached Cadagues during sunset and swam in the ocean.
2. when I went to Morocco and stepped into history (as well as different continent).
3. being harassed by the Paris police for painting in Montmartre. I still cant believe that.
4. playing castle in Tossa del Mar and became a child again.
5. reading at the cool cafes in Barcelona.
one more...
looking for surf and finally finding one in Portugal.

What kinds of responses do you get, and are they from around the world?

The best kind.

Every time I hear, 'I'm living vicariously through you, I think you are doing a great thing, I wish I can do that, I love your paintings/drawings...I feel great, like I can be on this adventure forever (well for a really long time anyway).
I get them all the time from people I don't even know, from friends of friends, from people who found my site by accident, from people I've met. It's so cool to be touched by people you've touched.