In 1900, Galveston, Texas endured a storm that has since been named "The Great Storm." At that time the island was at or below sea level, so when the storm came in, it washed over the island and took everything with it. There are incredible stories of heroism, a Nun who was in charge of the orphanage, tied the children to her in an effort to save them, but sadly they all perished. On that horrible night over 100 years ago 6000 documented people lost their lives and it is believed that another 2000 undocumented died as well.
On September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike blew into Galveston with a force similar to that storm so many years ago. Galveston was far better prepared. After the 1900 storm, a seawall was built and the entire island was raised 15 feet above sea level. But as you can see from the above picture, nothing will hold back the fury of a hurricane.
This is Galveston today. The statue that you see in the above pictures was erected on the 100th anniversary of the 1900 storm and it represents the families that were lost to the sea that day.
Two weeks after the Hurricane Ike hit the island, I went back to see the devastation. Huge boulders that had once lined the edges of the jettys were all on the seawall. During the clean up of the seawall, the rocks were all pushed over the wall in a large mound. Something amazing has happened to that mound of rocks, someone has turned it into their own personal work of art. Each morning when I would go for a walk, more and more sculptures had been made.
Rocks were carefully chosen so that one would balance perfectly on the other.
Look closely and you will see that this isn't just a picture of rocks, but there are sculptures.
Some are very simple,
and although simple, you can see that great care was taken in choosing which rock would go where.
Where there was once just a pile of rocks, open spaces are beginning to emerge. The rocks are no longer piled but stacked to form something so much more interesting.
In the distance you can see rocks that have been piled in such a way that they look like a pelican.
This is a personal favorite of mine.
As I look out over what Hurricane Ike did, in the distance I see the statue that is a reminder of what the 1900 storm did.
I'm sure that many would say that it's just a pile of rocks, but someone with vision has seen something so much more. Early in the morning when the light is just right, photographers are coming to capture the beauty of the rock piles.
The beach has always been a source of inspiration for me. In the above picture you can see two necklaces that I did from pieces that I found on the beach. The beads were purchased, but the pendants were just rocks waiting for someone to see their beauty.
Another beach inspired necklace. This necklace was made from pieces I found in a beach shop, not on the sand. I love the ethnic feel of the necklace.
My latest haul. What beauty will emerge from what the sea gave away?
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