Home » Turning The Destruction From Hurricane Ike Into Art

When Hurricane Ike hit last September, it was the third most destructive hurricane to make landfall in the United States.

Those effects were devastating. Houses after houses were destroyed, millions went without electricity and trees were destroyed all across the region.

These effects are still evident even months after the hurricane. My daughter thinks every time we enter a place with a light turned off that their electricity has not been turned back on since the hurricane.

Just this week, there was a storm that sparked memories of Ike. Several girlfriends shared how their daughters could not sleep because they were afraid that a "hurricane" was coming.

One man, a local artist, has taken the destruction and turned it into art. In the small town of Tomball, located to the northwest of Houston, master wood carver Nathan Smith was commissioned to carve a masterpiece in a tree that had been destroyed by the hurricane.

The chosen design was the local high school mascot, The Cougar.

I know it sounds silly that an artist carving a tree could bring so much excitement, but it has in this town. People have lined the street to stop and take pictures. The artist himself has set up days to answer questions about the piece.

It is a good reminder to a tragic event that forever changed our lives. It is a storm's destruction turned into beauty. It is unifying.

Here is a picture of the artwork.

Here is a video of the artist at work. The video was put together by the local newspaper.