Artist who painted everyday scenes around Altadena captures what the fire left behind
A Painter’s Perspective
He goes by the name Keni Arts and he’s a whiz with watercolor.
A Passion for Painting
For years now, Keni has painted his longtime home of Altadena, finding beauty in the mundane, like the local post office or hardware store.
“Altadena Hardware, some of the greatest people in the world,” he said.
A New Reality
These days, following the Eaton Fire, much of his favorite town is unrecognizable, and yet, he continues to paint what he sees — the charred remains of so many of his favorite local haunts.
“Yeah, it’s been a tough situation, you know, especially for so many people who have lived here for so long,” Keni said. “This is the sort of place where you could walk down the street and run into two or three neighbors that I knew. And, so that’s not happening right now.”
A Journey of Healing
Keni has been going through his old work, finding a spot and returning to paint what it looks like today. He then posts his heartbreakingly works of art side by side with the originals, a difficult dichotomy to accept, but one that is helping him heal.
“You know, people deal with tragedy in different ways,” Keni explained. “This is one of the ways I deal with mine.”
A New Studio
For Keni, life is imitating his art. His home was also lost in the fire.
“Lost my home and all of my artwork except a few small paintings,” he said. “I lost my studio at my home. But this right here is my studio.”
A Sense of Community
While Keni and his wife stay with their daughter out of town, he calls Altadena “the best little city in the world.”
While it may take years for him to return permanently, he goes out of his way to visit and to paint, to remember the past and look ahead to the future.
“They call it the silver lining in the clouds or something,” he said. “And that’s what we try to do. We look for that.”
Conclusion
Keni’s story is a testament to the power of art and community in the face of tragedy. Through his paintings, he is able to process his emotions and find a sense of healing. His dedication to his craft and his hometown is an inspiration to all who know him.
FAQs
Q: How did Keni’s home and studio get affected by the fire?
A: Keni’s home and studio were both lost in the fire, except for a few small paintings.
Q: How is Keni dealing with the loss of his home and studio?
A: Keni is dealing with the loss by continuing to paint and posting his new works alongside the originals, which is helping him heal.
Q: Will Keni return to Altadena permanently?
A: It may take years for Keni to return permanently, but he is committed to visiting and painting in the area to remember the past and look ahead to the future.
