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Our homes are more than just a roof over our heads—they’re the spaces where we build our lives. During the devastating Palisades and Eaton Fires in LA, thousands of people tragically lost these special places they called home, left with only memories of what once was. In an effort to provide a meaningful keepsake, LA-based artist Asher Bingham is offering free portraits of these lost homes to anyone who requests one.
Bingham started drawing houses over the holidays as heartfelt gifts. Her first drawing was for a close friend who had lost her home in the fires. “I didn’t know how to say sorry sufficiently,” she explains. “So I drew it.” Bingham then shared a reel on Instagram, asking if others might want a free portrait of their lost home. The response was overwhelming, with requests pouring in immediately.
As Bingham read through the requests, studied photos of people’s homes, and began sketching, she was overcome with grief. “The more I draw the more I realize what we have collectively lost,” she reflects. Despite the emotional weight, she kept drawing, working tirelessly around the clock with the hope of bringing a sense of comfort to everyone who receives one of her home portraits in the mail.
“I’ll be honest, I’ve never been to the Palisades, or to Alta Dena either and I live right between them,” reveals Bingham. “We get so bogged down in the day to day and our patterns of life that it’s easy to forget and venture out to new areas, and drawing homes from both I get a sense of two really beautiful communities that are now forever changed.” The artist adds, “I can’t help but think of how difficult rebuilding, and fighting insurances, and just trying to get back into some new rhythm of life that many people are going through right now.”
Soon, Bingham realized she couldn’t keep up with the overwhelming number of requests on her own. But instead of shutting down her request form, she decided to seek support by inviting other illustrators to volunteer their time for the monumental project.
Recently, Bingham shared on Instagram that she’s now collaborating with 10 other volunteer artists who are helping her manage the workload. “We are all determined to make sure that anyone that requests a house gets one,” reveals the dedicated artist, who encourages people to email if they want a free portrait. “This is not ending. It’s not over, and we’re not shutting anyone out.”
Bingham and her team have already created over 1,000 home portraits, all free of charge, and continue to work full-time. If you’d like to support their efforts and help cover the cost of their time and materials, you can make a donation here. If you or someone you know lost a home in the fires, you can request a one-of-a-kind drawing of it via Bingham’s request form.
If you want to help those who have been affected by the fires in the LA area, check out this list of wildfire relief initiatives. For those affected by the fires, please refer to this updated list of resources for shelter, food, clothing, pet care, and more.
In an effort to provide a meaningful keepsake to those who lost their homes in the LA fires, LA-based artist Asher Bingham is creating free house portraits.
View this post on Instagram
She’s created over 1,000 home portraits so far, all free of charge.
View this post on Instagram
Bingham soon realized she couldn’t keep up with the overwhelming number of requests on her own, so she’s now working with a team of 10 volunteer illustrators.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
The team are working tirelessly around the clock with the hope of bringing a sense of comfort to everyone who receives a drawing of their lost home.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Bingham has become particular fond of drawing the foliage around peoples’ homes.
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View this post on Instagram
The artist says, “The more I draw the more I realize what we have collectively lost.”
View this post on Instagram
Asher Bingham: Website | Instagram
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