House Portraits of Lost Homes: In Memoriam

 

I have long campaigned against the loss of historic homes to the dreaded wrecking ball, however over the years — and especially within the last year — I have had many requests for commissioned house portraits to memorialize homes that have been destroyed due to natural disaster.  The horror of losing one’s home in disasters like fires, hurricanes, or flooding is both profound and multifaceted, leaving physical, emotional, and psychological scars. A home is not just a structure—it represents safety, stability, and personal identity. The loss of it can be devastating in so many ways.

As I wrote this, the ravaging wild-fires in the Los Angeles area are still not fully contained, and thousands of Angelenos remain on edge, while thousands more are facing the horrifying aftermath of lost or damaged homes.

I just finished this house portrait of this lovely Victorian home in Evanston IL that was lost to fire.  I was asked to create the painting for my client as a gift for her friend, the homeowner.

In Memoriam: My house portrait of a home lost to fire in Evanston, IL
In Memoriam: My house portrait of a home lost to fire in Evanston, IL

Often, creating such a house portrait is very challenging, being that I am no longer able to to obtain photos of the subject.  It often requires taking the best available photo or piecing together a number of photos or images along with memories from the former owner. In this case, the photo below is all I had to work from.

The only photo I had to create the final house portrait.
The only photo I had to create the final house portrait.
In Memoriam: House Portrait Collection of Lost Homes:

I decided to collect up house portraits I have created where sadly the homes are no longer standing.  These of course are only the ones of know of, but there are countless more, including homes in the LA area.  In each case the homes depicted in the series I am sharing with you below, were lost to natural disasters such as fires, hurricanes or flooding or they were demolished long before their time.

House portrait of lost home in Alexandria VA
House portrait of lost home in Alexandria VA
Home portrait of Angola IN home now lost
Home portrait of Angola IN home now lost
Watercolor house portrait of torn down home in Arcadia CA
Watercolor house portrait of torn down home in Arcadia CA
Rural home portrait of farmhouse and barns in Askov MN, now gone
Rural home portrait of farmhouse and barns in Askov MN, now gone
Losing Cherished Memories

Losing a home is often the loss of cherished memories—birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and everyday moments that define a family’s life. These personal histories can be erased in an instant. The trauma is not only about the destruction of physical property but about the severing of a deep emotional connection to the place where you felt grounded.

Many people experience a numbness or disbelief immediately following the loss. It’s hard to process the magnitude of what has happened. Similar to a death, there’s a grieving process for the loss of security, the loss of one’s sanctuary, and the loss of control over a major aspect of life. There’s also a pervasive sense of uncertainty about the future. Many victims face ongoing worry about where they’ll live, how they’ll rebuild, and whether they’ll ever recover a sense of normalcy.

Pen and watercolor painting of demo'ed home in the Clearwater Beach, FL area
Pen and watercolor painting of demo’ed home in the Clearwater Beach, FL area
Charming tudor cottage house portrait of the home that was. Dallas TX.
Charming tudor cottage house portrait of the home that was. Dallas TX.
Lost home in Houston TX, memorialized in house portrait
Lost home in Houston TX, memorialized in house portrait
Watercolor house painting of Royal Oak home that no longer exists
Watercolor house painting of Royal Oak home that no longer exists
Physical and Material Loss

Homes often carry a lifetime of accumulated belongings—photographs, heirlooms, furniture, clothing, and sometimes irreplaceable objects like family documents or art. The immediate aftermath of losing a home is often a confrontation with the sheer material destruction.

Even with insurance, the process of finding temporary or permanent housing is grueling, especially for those with limited resources. The stress of uprooting oneself can be overwhelming. Depending on the severity of the disaster, the financial burden can be crushing. Homeowners may lose everything, including their savings, businesses, or livelihoods. Some might be underinsured or not covered at all by insurance.

Additionally, natural disasters like floods or fires often lead to dangerous living conditions, such as exposure to contaminants, mold, or unsafe structures, which can prolong the distress.

House portrait of beach bungalow on the Oregon coast lost in raging storm
House portrait of beach bungalow on the Oregon coast lost in raging storm
Custom house portrait of Victorian era family farmhouse in rural Iowa
Custom house portrait of Victorian era family farmhouse in rural Iowa
House portrait of now extinct home in rural Vermont
House portrait of now extinct home in rural Vermont
Displacement and Social Disruption

For many people, their home is a central part of their community. Losing it often means losing not just a house, but the social fabric of neighbors, friends, schools, and workplaces.

The sense of belonging to a neighborhood or town can disappear as people are forced to relocate, sometimes to distant places where they have no social support. There is enormous disruption of daily life—from work to school to social activities—adds to the emotional toll. Children, in particular, can struggle to adjust to new environments.

Cape Cod house portrait, home in Sioux Falls SD now demolished
Cape Cod house portrait, home in Sioux Falls SD now demolished
House portrait in St. Louis MO, of cottage home now gone.
House portrait in St. Louis MO, of cottage home now gone.
The Struggle to Rebuild

Rebuilding a home or life after a disaster can feel like an insurmountable task. Even with insurance and government aid, it can take years to return to a semblance of normalcy.  For many, the resources to rebuild (both financial and physical) aren’t readily available. Some may never fully recover from the damage, particularly in areas that face recurrent disasters.  In the case of hurricanes, flooding, or fires, many areas are prone to these events, and rebuilding in the same spot can expose people to future risks. The decision of whether to rebuild or move to a safer area adds a layer of difficult uncertainty.

In conclusion, the loss of one’s home to a fire, hurricane, or flood is not just about losing a physical space; it’s about losing a sense of security, identity, and belonging. Unfortunately, rebuilding can be a long and painful process, and the scars—both seen and unseen—can last for years.

I have more house portraits in my In Memoriam: House Potraits of Lost Home series. This video gives you a glimpse of what was.  Nothing can be done once an architectural structure has been destroyed — it is gone for ever — but it is my hope that these architectural portraits capture the cherished memories contained in each and honor those who built them, lived in them and loved them.

Leisa

Leisa Collins Art Newsletter Sign Up

Sign up for news, giveaways, sales, and events!