January 7, 2025
6:18pm the eaton fire begins.
what came next killed 19 people and destroyed 9,000 structures, becoming the 5th deadliest and 2nd most destructive wildfire in California history.
Altadena Archetypes
Altadena Archetypes began as a way to process the trauma of living through the Eaton Fire, losing our home and most everything we had, alongside thousands of other Altadena residents.
We spent 11 months away, in shock, coping, and working to pay the bills. We were able to move back to Altadena in January of 2025/26. Every morning when I walked through the charred landscape I would let my mind wander.
2025/2026 has been an eventful year world-wide, to say the least. However, with the release of the Epstein files, my mind became pre-occupied with the survivors. I thought about the weight that they carried, how brave they had to be to step forward, how many lies have been told about them, how many times they were denied justice...I thought about how everyone has a story. I thought about how women are frequently portrayed and how their stories are frequently distorted...
.....simultaneously....I was also quite moved by how much nature had bounced back from the fire. Everywhere I looked there was death and rebirth, the whole cycle of life right in front of me.
Archetypes in Altadena aims to explore mythological stories as well as show love towards Altadena, our home.
Nike, Goddess of Victory
Winged Victory, the Goddess Nike, as posed by Jessabelle Thunder. More specifically, Nike of Samothrace, the Hellenistic sculpture known as Winged Victory, the epitome of all things victorious.
When I first thought of this project, Jessabelle was the only person whom I felt could truly embody the role. Jessabelle is Winged Victory personified, not just because she is the 2025 Queen of Burlesque, and not just because she was voted the most influential burlesque dancer, but also because of her character, the way she presents herself, her drive and a work ethic that has created not just a career, but also a name, and also a crown.
We filmed and photographed in honor of West Altadena. Despite multiple warnings, West Altadena did not receive any evacuation warnings until 3AM. East Altadena began evacuating at 6:30pm.
Medusa Becomes
Medusa Becomes centers around Ovid's telling of Medusa. However, in the wake of Me Too and the release of the Epstein Files, I wanted Medusa's story to end on a more positive, matriarchal note. In this telling, Medusa is at peace with herself and what has happened to her. She accepts herself and moves forward to fight. She is powerful because of all she endured.
We shot the outdoor elements where our home on Maiden Lane stood before it was taken down by the Eaton Fire.
The Nymphs
Nymphs are playful and joyous, they belong in nature yet because of the Eaton Fire damage, they have been locked out of their home.
Here, our nymphs frolic in the parts of Altadena that the fire missed, and they mourn for the spaces that the fire destroyed.
Approximately 9,418 structures destroyed. Approximately 6,000 homes. Approximately 14,000 acres.
