Jon Serl (1894–1993) was an American self-taught artist who lived a colorful and unconventional life. As a child, he worked alongside his large family as a vaudeville performer. Later, he worked as a Hollywood voice actor and migrant fruit picker before devoting his life fully to painting after World War II.

A sign hung in the artist's home that read, "CLEAN ENOUGH TO BE HEALTHY, DIRTY ENOUGH TO BE HAPPY". Serl’s dreamlike paintings were installed on every wall and also piled up along the floors, while chickens, mice, and dogs kept him company in the various rooms of his house. His subject matter ranged from everyday scenes and landscapes to more supernatural narratives.