Hurricane

I promised Pete's friends I would create a blog for his art. It has taken me a few years to find the strength to do this. As we approach 5 years since he passed I need a way to connect to him. I think this will be a great way to honor him and share not just his art but the stories he told me about these along with some great memories.

As far as I recall this was Pete's first painting. We went to Hobby Lobby to get some art supplies he grabbed this huge canvas and was like "I think I'm going to paint this one." And so our stories begin.

We stayed up late that night painting together with the stereo blasting jams. He created this bold beautiful ocean scene. When I asked about his color choices he nodded his head and said "Hurricane Andrew" he went on to tell me about when he was working off shore. He worked on a smaller boat that would transport guys on and off the oil rigs. He told me about his responsibilities and things he enjoyed about it. Then he goes on to tell me about Andrew.  

Apparently the companies were waiting out bringing the guys in trying to get as much as they could out of them before being forced to shut down for the hurricane.  

Pete and his captain waited anxiously for word they could head out and evacuate the remaining crew from the platforms.  Finally word came so off they went into the storm. He said the ocean was so angry. Worse than he had ever seen it. It was rough riding to gather the first few and the storm was closing in fast. There was one more platform they needed to reach. 

They checked their radar and saw they were too late the Hurricane would be there before they could arrive. They could turn around and save their own asses or they could push forward and rescue this guy stranded in the middle of a Hurricane. So press forward they did. 

Pete told me about his Captain a rough old sailor who had seen his share of rough seas. He talked about the rope he had to tie around himself when he had to go outside and fix things and whatever else he was having to do. He talked about how the giant waves taller than he had ever seen tossed the little boat around like a rag doll. 

The funniest part of the story was the coffee. He said he had never seen his Captain so nervous. As they sailed directly into this Hurricane one of his duties was to bring the Captain his coffee. He said he would go down to the kitchen area to fetch it and would be nearly beaten to death from the tossing and turning. He would fill the mug to the best of his ability with the turbulence and head back up to take it to the anxious Captian. By the time he made it the mug only had a swallow that had not spilled.  The Captain quickly drank it down and sent him back for more. Over and over he would get more coffee and sure enough just a swallow when it arrived.  

They made it to the final platform and rescued their guy. He said the trip back to shore was unforgettable. They sailed full throttle to escape the storms hold  waves above their heads as tall as skyscrapers.  He said his Captain did an amazing job keeping them afloat. He only wished he could have brought the guy more coffee. 

As they neared the shore every ship had already docked there was no where to park and get off the boat. They tied up to a chain of other boats tossing and turning in the storm and braised for the direct hit. Thankfully the little ship made it thru the hurricane.

Pete never really explained the little island. I asked but no luck. The most I got was a little antidote about the palm tree's strength is derived from its flexibility. He did explain the curve of the ocean and how you could see it when you were out at sea.  Pete was not a flat earther lol. He proudly carried his Shellback card in his wallet he had earned while at sea in the Marine corps. 

 Another great memory of this painting was doing art shows with Pete and Autumn.  We were blessed to do a number of these as a family. One in particular we were doing a private art show at a Doctors house we were also doing Stonework for. I was talking to one of the kids telling him about one of my peices when I realized I was now talking to myself. I looked over and saw the entire family gathered around Pete hanging on to his every word as he told his Hurricane Andrew story. I had to smile. Pete was a great story teller. He was a quiet dude often but when he started telling his stories he became animated it really was a sight to see. I hope I can draw from his love of it as I share more of these paintings with you.