HOME ~~~ ART ~~~ POETRY ~~~ CONTACT

______________________________________________________________

S P I R I T S    O F    S U R V I V A L  

Locations of photographs range from Ocean Springs to Clermont Harbor

and date from various trips taken from Nov. 2005 – Nov. 2008

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

In November of 2005 when I first went down to the coast after Katrina, I was shocked and stunned
into a state of disbelief. Even though the devastation was right in front of me,
I just could not comprehend it nor did I want to believe it had really happened.

One of the most powerful testaments to Katrina's capabilities was the stripping, bending, breaking, and near total annihilation of our coast's previously lush Live Oaks which were heavy with green leaves and beautiful Spanish moss.
Katrina turned the Emerald Coast into a brown landscape of its former self.

Since I am a tree lover in spirit, my immediate need was to photograph the trees in their state of change.
With the photographs came the idea to speak for the trees and their ability to come back from the storm.
The spirit of survival is in the trees as much as it is in the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
They will overcome and they will prevail.

"Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing." – Camille Pissarro

Gulf Islands Spirits - Ocean Springs

Dreams for Sale - Ocean Springs

Spirits for the Mad Potter - Biloxi

The Struggle - 38th. St. and Hwy. 90 - Gulfport

We Shall Return - Gulfport

Onslaught - USM Campus - Long Beach

Vicki's Sunset - Waveland

Hold On Hope - Clermont Harbor

© 2002-2008---G a r a-- G i l l e n t i n e / s a r a b l u e s k y