John Paul Getty, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, (by the way… I really like people from Minnesota… but I digress), was one of the first people in the world with a fortune worth over 1 billion dollars. His family was in oil. He did what all rich sons do, and went to good schools – USC, then Berkeley, and then graduated from Magelen College, Oxford in 1914. 2 years later he made his first million by working in his Pop’s oil fields in Oklahoma. But he changed his mind on his career and proudly proclaimed a year late in 1917 that he was retiring.
To become a playboy.
That lasted until 1919 and then he went back to work to make a few more million. Long story long, he learns Arabic 
which made him millions of dollars by expanding in the Middle East.
His fortune is what has brought us the Getty. The Getty is based in Los Angeles. Getty is the world’s largest supporters of art. The Getty Museum quotes, “. Paul Getty viewed art as a civilizing influence in society and strongly believed in making art available to the public for its education and enjoyment”.
The Getty is completely FREE. You should go. In fact – as I write this I’m thinking… hmm… time to go again.
What I loved:
The grounds are zenlike and peaceful. The building is a modern piece of art in itself. You’ ll have the opportunity to see art from ancient civilizations to modern artists. I recommend it immensely.
Also… keep in mind the Getty is set up in the hills. We went on a cloudy day and it was surreal in the way that they have these large floor to ceiling windows in the hallway that made me feel like I was walking among the clouds. I’d look at art… look to my left… and was floating and walking on clouds. Art gets to me… what can I say. And I was in fantastic company… with a man from Minnesota..in a museum that was gifted from a guy from Minnesota… (now you see the connection? Wow – so obvious!)
Recommendation: Go. Artists have a special way of seeing things. And then a gift for touching you through their work. And the Getty Museum has great pieces and it’s free. So what are you waiting for?
