January 10, 2024 is painted from a photo I took of the ocean after the storm that demolished the Bell House at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. The wind gusted to 79 miles per hour they say and the tide was higher than usual. Locals say they saw a storm like this in 1978 and it was scary and a big mess to clean up.

I just moved all my belongings from Florida. The land of hurricanes. Our lives were on alert during hurricane season. A bad storm season influenced our insurance prices, how long we had to wait for contractors, and how well we knew our neighbors. The winds were much higher and high tides completely flooded beachside towns.

It was strange to see so much damage to the Bell House perched on the rocks. All of the ocean is powerful but the North Atlantic demands my respect. It is cold! And so powerful. And so beautiful.

My painting, January 10, 2024 is a reminder of the power nature has to take back anything we have built. This is a different perspective than my Surface Tension series that plays with images suggesting an answer — alternative energy resources. In January 10, 2024, the Bell House is a small red blip against a raging North Atlantic ocean.

The remains of this terrible storm. 

Standing against the wind, I thought of how hard life is for the ones who make their living on the sea. It takes a strong mindset and respect to traverse the waves. Every day would challenge your existance — make you grateful for precious life.