Robert Vargas poses in front of his mural titled “From the Ashes” (Photo – @therobertvargas)
The fresh June Gloom morning of the 7th was the perfect setting to catch Robert Vargas’s athletic sweeps of a brush over rough bricks, painting a mural honoring and depicting the sufferers and heroes of the fire that had blown through this very spot, and seemingly everywhere, just over five months ago.
By Marilyn Fuss
The forty or so people casually gathered stood in reverence, watching as if witnessing a tennis match, or a miracle. The only sounds were the shells tapping against the shins of two Aztec dancers arriving early for the formal dedication.
On his official Instagram page, Robert Vargas expressed gratitude to Altadena for its warm welcome. He also thanked the residents who visited during the mural’s creation and shared their personal stories, elements the artist sought to weave into the artwork. Despite the visible devastation, Vargas emphasized that it’s the people and the community who continue to make Altadena beautiful.
Janet and Christy Lee, owners of Fairoaks Burger, the diner now graced by this artwork, commissioned Mr. Vargas to create the community piece. The location is especially fitting: the sisters had organized and hosted many relief efforts here, including food distributions. They plan to reopen the business in mid-June.
Marilyn Fuss is a former teacher who spends time appreciating the Southland, hoping to preserve the Constitution, and occasionally writing.
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