About the Project
Sam & Sara is the first picture book ever illustrated entirely with murals.
52 walls have been painted throughout Arizona telling one cohesive story. The images I painted have been photographed and published to form a narrative, existing in book form and the real world. The public is already beginning to seek out the paintings that exist throughout our state, from Ajo to Winslow, and many places in between.
The narrative follows a young woman who, like me has Attention Deficit Disorder. Her constant tendency to daydream, once a frustration among adults, becomes a source for creativity and inspiration. It leads her to unlocking an abstract landscape of figments where every idea exists. She explores this realm on a quest to find her home.
Video of the towns I've visited!
Florence, Arizona
A friendly town with a beautiful museum let me paint a page for the Sam & Sara project!
Miami, Arizona
We stop by the historic mining town of Miami, Arizona to paint a mural for the Sam and Sara project.
Black Canyon City and Camp Verde
Painting murals in Black Canyon City and Camp Verde, Arizona. Hanging out under bridges, eating bomb vegan food, and making new friends along the way.
Tubac and Cottonwood
A nice trip down south to Tubac, followed by two murals in Cottonwood!
Ajo
We go off the beaten trail to paint the remote mining town of Ajo, and enjoy in its natural beauty.
Sierra Vista
I paint the first page of the book in the kids section of the Sierra Vista Public Library!
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About the Author / Illustrator
Hi, my name is Isaac Caruso. I'm a professional muralist and writer, born and raised in Arizona.
As a neurodivergent student, I had difficulty fitting into the school system. I discovered art and it became my escape. This journey inspired me to create a book for kids who share a similar path.
Painting Sam & Sara has been a four-year adventure across my home state, and I'm proud to release a book that celebrates those who dare to be different!
I live with my girlfriend and a bunch of pets in the Sonoran Desert. I hope to have a mural on every continent someday! 4 down, 3 to go.
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