A Palisades home painted by Maya Brattkus.
Former Alphabet Street residents Dean and Laurie Paul wrote, “We’re sorry and saddened about the loss of your home, along with many others in the Palisades.”
Dean had found a story about a woman who is painting pictures of people’s lost homes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena that he thought might be worth sharing with Circling the News readers.
He sent the link Artist Draws Homes Lost in LA Wildfires for Free. Painter Maya Brattkus is featured. She said,“after being evacuated and watching our community go up in flames, I fell into a pretty dark place.”
Brattkus, who grew up in LA and watched the temple where her Bat Mitzvah was held burn on TV, said in an interview with Nice News, that “The process of drawing was cathartic for me and helped me begin to process the grief of what was going on in a small way.”
Brattkus posted the image on Reddit on January 17 offering to draw more lost homes for free, and adding that she’d also draw houses that weren’t lost, in which case she’d charge a small sum and donate the proceeds to victims. The positive feedback and outpouring of requests she received led her to create more posts, some of which garnered thousands of upvotes as her offer gained traction.
She currently posts the artwork on Los Homes Project website Lost Home and eventually her goal is to compile all the drawings in a book.
Two of the residents at the Hive informal meeting today had their homes drawn and were happy to have a reminder. One had taken a photo off Zillow and sent it to Brattkus. The Fiske Street resident showed a photo of the drawing and it was indeed lovely.
On her website, Brattkus said, “I hope to raise awareness and support for those who lost so much.”
I think this is such a gracious way to heal. she is giving so much back to our desolated community. I lost my house , having moved to the alphabets in 1984.