CURRENT MISSION

Create artwork. Meet wonderful people and inspire others.

ABOUT ME

I'm a full-time artist and am passionate about drawing and painting, amongst many other things. I love the arts in general and thoroughly enjoy seeing new work from others. I enjoy doing my work and am grateful for it. I believe we're in a renaissance.

My art website: www.jasonrafferty.com

When I'm not drawing and painting I also enjoy hanging with friends and my girlfriend, meeting new folks, playing guitar, reading, gardening (a new hobby), cooking, and baking sourdough bread. Also food related, I suppose I am what they call a "pescatarian", a vegetarian that also eats fish. I am an entrepreneur, and am fascinated by social dynamics, marketing, business practices, etc. I am passionate about sustainability and supporting small, local businesses.

I like to hang out in cafes and bookstores. I think it's necessary to invest in your passions and in those who are following theirs. To give and thus get back. I believe in the goodness of others and in encouraging folks to find and chase their passions. I can affirm that since I've followed mine, taking the risks that come with it, my life has been a truly rewarding adventure.

PHILOSOPHY

"Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music-the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself."
From Henry Miller

Something like that

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

The people I've met via Couchsurfing have been amongst the most fascinating and warm-hearted "strangers" I've ever come into contact with. Universally they've had good stories to share and are wonderful company. I now count amongst one of my very close friends the first person I hosted on CS and have enjoyed a handful of rich experiences staying with people whom I have hosted.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've hosted a great deal of wonderful folks at my home in Asheville, NC. I've also surfed across the US East Coast, and in France, UK, and Ireland.

Interests

Art, particularly obsessed with Baroque and Italian Renaissance painting. I also enjoy many other periods and styles, there are things to be learned and fascinations in everything. I am an avid music listener and enjoy hearing new stuff. Often listen to contemporary jazz and contemporary classical and that whole mix, along the lines of Yo Yo Ma, Bela Fleck, Avishai Cohen, Esperanza Spalding, etc.

I enjoy going to museums and cafes and nice little local shops, eating and cooking great food, and sharing good conversation. I read widely, some of my favorites being Kerouac and Beats in general, Joseph Campbell's "An Open Life," Robert Henri's "The Art Spirit", Rolf Potts "Vagabonding", Carl Jung, Herman Hesse, Henry Miller, Hemingway, biographies of Theodore Roosevelt, writings of Wynton Marsalis, Victor Wooten, Chick Corea and countless artist interviews... I own a score of books about the Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens, and am also very interested in the old masters generally... Velazquez, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Vermeer... Anything about the lives/works of great artists, musicians and writers.

• fish
• arts
• books
• literature
• performing arts
• sketching
• festivals
• dining
• cooking
• baking
• vegetarian
• gardening
• reading
• painting
• drawing
• investing
• music
• jazz
• guitar
• equestrian
• fishing
• business
• entrepreneurship

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've lived in Paris, spending several months sketching in the Louvre, slept outside of a museum in London in January to see a Da Vinci show the next day, hitchhiked and rode aback pickup trucks in US and Ireland, left college to study with working artists, rode horseback in New Mexico, attended jazz festivals and an artisanal bread festival. I've seen my idols perform and obsessively studied their lives, that I might learn how to best live mine. I've helped a friend grow out of depression and into fulfillment and recognition of his purpose.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'd love to hear your stories. I'd love to explore your area or ours with you and find cool things to do and see. I'd be happy to share what I've picked up about art, music, cooking, bread baking, and life.

I'm interested in learning all sorts of things, am open to whatever knowledge you have to share.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I often bring a selection of art prints as a thank you to hosts, as well as some sort of food goodie.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, France, Ireland, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, United States