The Art That Survived a Hurricane!
This is the true story about the sad loss of a beautiful home but also the survival of my large 3' x 5' piece of GLASS art hanging in that home!
My collectors owned a gorgeous home on a small oceanfront island on the west coast of Florida known as the Big Bend area. The home was elevated 12 feet above the gulf and had ridden out several large storms safely. Not this time. Hurricane Helene came barreling in during the night of September 26th, 2024 as a Category 4, packing 140 mph winds and a storm surge up to 16 feet. The home, just south of Keaton Beach where the eye landed, was completely destroyed as were all the homes on Keaton Beach. Pieces were strewn for miles inland, then Helene moved on to destroy much of Ashville, North Carolina over the next few days.
When the homeowners went to survey the damage, all that remained were some pilings and a few palm trees. Amazingly, they discovered the 3' x 5' glass painting of the sea laying upside down under a fallen piling and some sand. It had a few minor scratches but was otherwise unharmed! They contacted me with photos and a great story to share! Thankfully this was their vacation home, not their full-time residence. But it was a great loss. It was a gorgeous home with 3 decks and dark-sky views of the Milky Way which were unbeatable! It even inspired another of my paintings, "We Are Just A Speck" when we spent a weekend there. They have decided not to rebuild, opting instead to purchase an RV to use when they go over to enjoy the gulf area. A much safer plan for the future. New builds in that area are now required to be a staggering 20' elevation as a result of the devastation from Helene.
The gentleman loves a good story and this one beats most. The painting now hangs in their home on the east coast of Florida and he loves to relate the story of it's survival! Their current home also has a great story and historical background. He loves to share that too, but that's another story altogether.
Below are the photos of the painting, the house, and the aftermath. Oh, and the inspired painting: "We Are Just a Speck"
"Ocean Meditations"
36" x 60"
Acrylic & Resin on glass
"We Are Just A Speck"
