Hiking Project

When Alain lost his job with Ticketmaster/LiveNation, he thought that was it—time to retire. But instead of slowing down, his mind kicked into high gear. What would he do with the rest of his life? How could he give back to the community? What new hobby could he dive into? When you reach that crossroads, a million ideas start racing through your head.

Then came a spark of inspiration—the Swiss St. Bernard, the legendary rescue dog. The idea was simple but meaningful: on his many hikes, he would carry extra water to share with anyone in need. And to make it clear, he’d attach a flag to his backpack, proudly announcing himself as The Water-Man. Given his love for hiking with a heavy pack, it was a perfect fit!

Not long after, the idea expanded. Why not capture this new identity in a painting? A self-portrait, hiking through the Arizona desert, alongside a trusty St. Bernard. Of course, the scene had to include towering saguaro cacti and the stunning red rock landscapes he loves so much. He even threw in prickly pear cacti, ocotillos, and—just for fun—a scorpion lurking on the trail, a little nod to the true residents of the desert.

And because no St. Bernard is complete without its little barrel, Alain figured—why not have one too? So, atop his backpack sat his own barrel, a playful touch to complete the scene. To tie it all together, he painted a beautiful crescent moon, knowing that once finished, he would photograph the artwork and print it on a few t-shirts. One of them would become the very flag he’d attach to his blue backpack—an emblem of his new mission as The Water-Man!