By Lya Carrera
Andover Townsman Contributor
Published Newspaper: Andover Townsman
Online Version Published Date: March 1, 2007
Online Version Printed Date: March 13, 2007

Artist Alejandra Vernon survived a fatal fire in her apartment building this winter. She says her faith - and the support of people such as an Andover gallery owner - have sustained her as she has started over.

What started as a stove-top fire ended up burning down the north side of her three-story apartment building in Long Beach, Calif., killing two people, she said.

The 62-year-old Vernon, along with her two cats and goldfish, survived with no injuries, she said. But she lost her home and much of her artwork.

"I stood out in the street for hours [at the time of the fire]," Vernon said. "I could see the fire spreading, then [suddenly] the fire burst out of an apartment; it was about 6 feet. I’m a Christian, so I knew that it was my ‘leave everything and follow Him’ moment."

Vernon is a mixed-media collage artist who uses other materials with her paints, like paper. Her pieces are colorful, flat, and detailed with images from Jesus Christ to fruits.

Through the years, she’s had many spiritual experiences, she said. Her faith is reflected in her work, which is showcased at two Massachusetts’ galleries, Alpers Fine Art in Andover and Chameleon in Newburyport.

Peter Alpers, owner of Alpers Fine Art on Main Street, has stepped up his publicity efforts on Vernon’s behalf since hearing of the December fire.

"I wanted to help Alex in any I could due to the fire; overnight she went from a friend to a friend in need," Alpers said in an e-mail.

One admirer of Vernon’s work bought the collage titled "Mangoes" after seeing it at Cassis, a French bistro on Post Office Avenue in Andover.

"You want to touch them and eat them, but then your eyes are drawn to the open curtain and view of the sea - a trademark of hers," said Dan Mees, vice president of Text 100 Public Relations. "Closer scrutiny of her work [with] all the detail … adds a layer of mystery and spiritual charge."

Born in Reading, Pa., Vernon also lived in Ecuador, Argentina, Jamaica, New York City, Italy and Massachusetts.

She started her craft while in her early teens. Originally, she was a dancer. In her 20s, she realized her true calling was to be an artist, so with no schooling, she taught herself, she said.

Vernon said she has been fortunate that both strangers and friends have helped her since the fire. She has a new apartment in the south side of the same complex and many of her pieces have been selling.

Despite her loss, Vernon looks forward; she would like to do more publishing and get a licensing contract. Her other goals are more personal.

"I will be painting a fire series," Vernon said.

"Seeing the fire so vividly, especially out of that particular apartment that blew out into the sky, is now seared into my mind. [Spiritually,] I would like to grow closer to the Lord and do his bidding."