Artists, like everyone whose home was burned in Ventura’s Thomas fire, lost virtually everything. But artists also lost a lifetime of art they had painted. And they lost their means to paint - paints, brushes and canvases.
They moved into apartments, in with friends, or homes that were too small to have space to paint. Supplies were expensive, and the fire had stretched them. With the trauma and endless work of reestablishing their lives, most lost any creative spark. So they didn’t paint.
In August 2019, seven artists who lost their homes in the Thomas Fire met at Fox Fine Jewelry to discuss having an art show. They shared their fire stories and struggles. And they discovered that nearly two years after the fire, no one had painted more than a couple of paintings except one artist, Barbara Brown. And she had to paint because it was a requirement of the art school she was enrolled in.
In the meeting, we decided the show should be about their recovery. That while the fire was very much a part of who they were, they would shift the focus from the flames themselves to their journey from the flames. And so it was chosen that the show name would be “Rising from the Ashes.”
"Rising from the Ashes" is the name of Barbara Brown's painting, below. Her painting was the inspiration that led Debbie Fox to assemble an art show with artists who lost their home in the fire. It was an appropriate name for the group, and for our community. Barbara Brown agreed to let the group use the name for the show.
You are invited to meet the artists, read their stories (which will be posted), and view their journey. They are truly “Rising from the Ashes.”
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On Sunday, November 17th from 2 - 5pm, Fox Fine Jewelry and dozens of other local businesses are hosting a free benefit for Ventura County disaster survivors: Reunion 805. Live music, beer, wine and refreshments. A magician, 805 Strong Tribute Wall, photo booth, corn hole and silent auction, along with ten disaster assistance and prevention nonprofits. Please join us.
Together, we are Rising from the Ashes!