In Fall 2015, I began freelancing for the Novi News. The editor, Phil Allmen, and I have always had a great working relationship. I was very happy to take on a few stories while I was looking for full-time work, taking a class at Oakland University and lifeguarding part-time.

This story is close to my heart because I put a lot of myself into it while I was writing it. The artist, Darcel Deneau, herself was an equally interesting, exciting and wonderful person whom I’m glad I had the chance to meet. While her story was initially tragic, she persevered and turned it into something beautiful that everyone could enjoy: her artwork. Her downtown Detroit studio, where I traveled to for this story, and Deneau seemed to have a lot in common for that reason. They both exhibited qualities of beauty in tragedy, rising up from the ashes.

The story and all the photographs in this piece are all my own original work. I also visited and photographed the exhibit at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield, MI. I did not have to put as much work into it as I did, but I did because this piece needed that attention. It was featured as an A1 rail story in the October 29, 2016 edition of the Novi News.

To view this story online, visit the Novi News website at: http://www.hometownlife.com/story/entertainment/arts/2015/10/25/family-tragedy-inspires-novi-womans-artwork/74600778/