On August 8, 2023, the island of Maui, Hawaii suffered catastrophic damage from wildfires that claimed the lives of at least 115 people, and damaged or destroyed over 2,200 structures. The historic seaside town of Lahaina located on the west side of Maui, was destroyed by the blaze. The loss is devastating.
Maui, Hawaii holds a special place in my heart. In September 2021, my husband Matt and I traveled to Maui to celebrate our anniversary. Our vacation inspired me to create a series of paintings, which have been works in progress over the past 2 years. Painting from the numerous reference photos which I took during our trip, I strived to capture on canvas the profound beauty of the island with its breathtaking views, lush landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant tropical flowers.
My original intent of creating this collection was to preserve memories from our vacation, however the series has now become a heartfelt tribute to Maui. It is heartbreaking and incredibly sad to see the current news footage of the destruction from the wildfires. In honor of the individuals who lost their lives, family members, homes, businesses, jobs, and the numerous people who are still missing, I will be donating a portion of my commission from the sales of this collection to the relief efforts of Maui, Hawaii. It is my wish to offer support for the people of Maui as they rebuild their cherished paradise.