Art for Katrina stars

Art for Katrina stars, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

Some of you already know this, but when I first moved to the US from Canada, it was to Baton Rouge, LA. I moved in July, right after finishing school. What an experience, and not all of it great. It was too hot, I didn't understand most people with their heavy accents, and I was away from the friends I'd gone through school with.

But I'll never say it wasn't an interesting place. I learned about Cajun music, Creole cooking and I learned how to use hot sauce - which is significant for a Canadian. I still pronounce New Orleans" as "Nawlins".

We got brushed by Hurricane Andrew while I lived there, and a week without power was quite enough to give me a respect for the power of nature. New Orleans saw some flooding then from rain, but nothing enormous like this. It's still hard to wrap my head around the idea of it being under water, even though we all knew it could happen.

These are the stars I make every fall for the last few years, as gifts for friends. Some of you have gotten these. Very labor intensive, but I love the results, and giving them away. Made with remnant designer fabrics, most of them moiré. I'm donating these six to an art auction effort called Art for Katrina. I'll update when I know the ebay auction date. I also hope to finish a small illustration to donate as well.