A Life Cut Short - Dan Eldon

This is one of my favorite books - for inspirational, artist and emotional reasons.


First, and most importantly, was for how Dan Eldon lived. Second, was for how he died - doing his job, doing what he loved. Third, was for the legacy of his life he left behind for all of us. Fourth, was his mother's love and how she continues to honor him. I can connect with her even more so today than when I first learned of his story - now having my own children. I could go on, but instead, I would encourage you to find out for yourself about Dan Eldon if you have never heard of him until this reading.

The story of Dan Eldon is a poignant, inspirational, beautiful but tragic. His was a life cut much too short. I think of where his life and art would be today had he lived. But, like my own brother who passed away at only 29, the world will never know what his life could have been.


Dan was a photojournalist (as I was in my former life) for Reuters and was stoned to death while on assignment in Somolia in 1993. What he left behind was an account of his amazing journey through life. He did a lot of living in his 22 short years (much more than I have so far in my forty years) and documented most of it into 17 breathtaking journals that are scrapbooks - but so much more than that - because each spread in each book is a work of very personal, very telling works of art.

After his death, his mother sought out to publish his journals. She was rejected nearly everywhere until Chronicle Books finally agreed. "The Journey is the Destination: the Journals of Dan Eldon" has sold over 200,00 copies. There is a movie in the works with Daniel Radcliffe (of Harry Potter fame) slated to portray Dan Eldon. There is a permanent exhibition of his work at the Candela/Decker Gallery in SoHo. Another book of his journals was published in 2001 by Jennifer New entitled "Dan Eldon: The Art of Life" with additional journal pages not seen in the first book put together by his mother Kathy Eldon. His family and friends began an organziation called Creative Visions Foundation to support people like Dan who use their creative talents to bring awareness to issues impacting the world to bring about positive change. And the list rolls on - and will continue to, I'm certain, as the story of Dan Eldon continues to spread.


I pour over his book again and again and revisit it often for inspiration on art, photography, journaling - or just how to live. How to live! This book made an immediate and life-long connection with me -as it has with many others - when I bought it upon first publication in 1997. I keep it near by in my office. I have given this book as a gift to friends and family members. Dan Eldon was someone truly special. Someone we can continue to be inspired by and learn from, even now. I hope you check it out.