Katrina Series 2012

oil on canvas

Hurricane Katrina was a devastating cyclone that struck primarily New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana in 2005. Due to massive failure of the flood-control systems, 80% of the city was flooded for weeks. After the storm, I saw photographs of damaged homes with mold and mildew and this series grew out of seeing those images. I am in awe of the earth’s regeneration, of human recovery and growth despite deep pains and sorrows, and by our ties to the natural world in spite of great destruction. These underlying themes of survival and regeneration recur in much of my work as I strove to create beauty out of the terrible human loss.