Fallen Angel

In June 2016, when tragedy cast its long shadow over Orlando, Florida, the world recoiled at the horror of a mass shooting that claimed the lives of 49 individuals. Among them was Maura Binkley, a vibrant 24-year-old woman whose light was extinguished far too soon. In the aftermath of this heart-wrenching event, Maura's grieving mother, seeking solace and a lasting tribute to her daughter, extended a poignant invitation for me to encapsulate Maura's spirit in a 20 x 30 oil painting.

That was how I embarked on a journey fueled by compassion, empathy, and the profound responsibility of memorializing a life cut short. My canvas became a vessel for emotions, a medium through which I endeavored to honor the memory of a beautiful soul taken from this world prematurely. I was trying to capture the essence of Maura exactly as her loved ones remembered her—beautiful, vivacious, brimming with life, and an abundance of unfulfilled promise. In presenting this work to her grieving family, my hope is that it serves as a source of comfort, a tangible connection to the indomitable spirit that Maura brought into the world.

This oil painting, beyond its artistic merit, stands as a tribute to resilience, love, and the enduring memory of a life that left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who held Maura dear. May it be a testament to the power of art to honor, remember, and, in some small way, provide solace in the face of profound loss.