R.I.P. Charlie Russell, Mayor of East Jesus #)'(

RIP Charlie Russell (1965-2011)

Charlie Stephen Russell aka "Chasterus", born January 6, 1965, passed away on May 12, 2011 in his amazing art installation/home in East Jesus, Slab City, California, from unknown causes. Charlie is probably best known for "Cinnabar Charm" (named after the Th. Metger poem) a VW Camper Bus art car. 

Of the many things said of Charlie since his passing, friend and lover Tré Taylor, said it best: "Charles Stephen Russell made a huge contribution to the free art world as we know it. There is a new generation of people who are now creating wide open free range off the grid art compounds all over the world, because of Charlie Russell. He lived everyday the way he wanted and how he wanted it. He was a living legend and hero to us all."

A memorial service for Charlie is slated for Sunday, June 5, 2011 at Nimby in Oakland, California.  More information is available on Facebook.

BURNcast raises a chocolate martini in a toast to Charlie: "To Charlie. Community. Drink!"

Charlie Russell as featured in  
The End of The Road - Documentary Trailer 

from The Drone on Vimeo.

Charlie Russell's "East Jesus" as featured on 

Leave an Interesting Trace - Part One from Zebulon on Vimeo.